A New Journey

I have not written much of late primarily because I have accepted the position of Head Coach / Program Director for Men's Soccer at Lima Senior High School.  To be perfectly honest, this is a position I have had my eye on for the last 7 years.  I have conducted summer camps for the program in the past and was an assistant coach last season.

What exactly appeals to me about coaching at Lima Senior?

First and foremost are the people. I met several former Spartans when they came to play for Grand Lake United. Not only were they seriously good athletes and solid soccer players, but to a man they were really good people from really good family's.  Then there is the fact Lima Senior is the only Division I school in our area and they play in one of the best, albeit top heavy, conferences in the state. In short, I want to compete against the best in the state and believe Lima Senior can do this.

I have debated these past few months concerning sharing this ride with the loyal readers of the CBA blog and exactly how to do so. I am not comfortable in doing an all inclusive behind the scenes look at a high school program featuring student athletes of 14 - 18 years of age. However, I do feel sharing our journey with you will be of benefit to other coaches and student / athletes making similar treks.

Coming off an 8-6-3 season, returning 11 starters and virtually every major contributor expectations are high. Add in the return of two very good players who missed last season and one would think those expectations would be soaring. Such is not necessarily the case though.

The Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC) is home to three perennial soccer powers in Findlay, Toledo St. Francis and Toledo St. Johns.  To win a league championship Lima Senior will need to defeat these teams. To win sectional, district and regional titles Lima Senior will need to beat one or more of these teams in addition to other opponents of the highest quality in Northwest Ohio.

In past TRAC matches with the above referenced teams a pattern has developed that sees Lima Senior play well for long stretches before surrendering a goal. At that point body language deteriorates and the proverbial flood gates open.  To be honest, the Lima Senior Spartans have lacked true belief they are capable of playing with and defeating any of the three powers in the TRAC,

This is where our journey begins. How does one motivate a team to step outside their established comfort zone and expand their confidence, their belief that not only can they defeat anyone they face, but instill a belief they will defeat anyone and everyone they face?

This is not an easy question to answer, but thankfully we do have some real life examples to borrow from.  The biographical movie Patton is nothing if not a portrait in instilling discipline in the troops. From General Patton taking over a ragtag US II Corps who had had their collective asses kicked and turning them into a fighting machine to the forced march to relieve a besieged Bastogne where elements of the 3rd Army disengaged, marched over 100 miles in deplorable conditions and reengaged the Germans in just 48 hours.  We also have a present day savant in Jim Harbaugh whose culture of meritocracy and cauldron of competition has brought positive results wherever he has coached.  Both of these great leaders believe deeply in preparing for the moment. One of my favorite sayings is Failing to prepare properly is preparing to fail.  From proper preparation comes confidence. This is key.

I am working on instilling new levels of discipline, competitiveness and confidence in our program, but this is only part of the solution. The most important aspect of change being brought is in the area of player leadership and player buy-in to the changes. We have begun leadership training using Jeff Jannsen materials among other sources. There is no miracle snap your fingers "cure" available here. It will be a slow (and hopefully) steady progression of instilling discipline, instilling confidence, establishing trust and fostering buy-in.  We do need a sense of urgency as we go through this progress as the season is only 4 months away. When we finally roll the balls out for practice, we need to be ready to go.