You Have A Systems Problem, Not a People Problem

When you find yourself frustrated about what your players can't or aren't doing, ask yourself, 'What are our process or system for monitoring, improving, emphasizing, or correcting this performance or behavior?'

'My players aren't motivated.'
- What is our process for getting players excited about practice or what is your process for creating goals that keep your kids focused and dedicated?

'My players won't come in a get shots up on their own.'
- What is an effective way/system for getting players in the gym outside of practice?

'My players don't know 'how' to work on their game at game speed on their own.'
- When they are with you, what are some effective things that we can teach them that they can do on their own?

'_____ is acting up in Algebra class and _____ is failing biology.'
-  What is our weekly process of monitoring classroom grades and behaviors?

It is frustrating when I can't get my players to do what I think is best for them at the level and the speed that I think is best for them.  It is frustrating watching them not going hard enough in practice every day like they should, and it is frustrating when they aren't fully committed to getting better outside of the gym and in the classroom.  So many athletes have million-dollar dreams with $2 habits and lifestyles.

I was sitting in a conference when the speaker said, 

'You don't have a people problem, you have a systems problem,' 

and that really hit home to me in terms of how to teach my players HOW to approach becoming the best players and people that they can be.  It forced me to stop looking at the players and their deficiencies and to start looking at myself and the systems that I have (or have not) created for them to be in the best position possible to grow.

In a perfect world, players would be intrinsically motivated to work hard every day to be their best.  Really, in a perfect world, I would be intrinsically motivated to wake up early every morning, avoid social media and start my day with a great workout, a fruit-based smoothie, and a morning devotional.  But we do not live in a perfect world and very few of us are intrinsically motivated enough to build and stick to the right habits.

As James Clear wrote in his book, Atomic Habits, most of us aren't as self-disciplined as we think we are or as we would like to be.  As much as 40%-45% of our lives are dictated by our habits, so for us to become the best version of ourselves, we have to have habits - systems and processes - that are obvious, that are attractive, that are easy and that are satisfying.  If we want to have a healthy morning routine, we have to make it obvious by removing all other distractions, we have to make it attractive by doing something reasonably fun and rewarding, we have to make it easy by making it convenient and not something too difficult to actually be able to perform on a regular basis, and we have to make it satisfying so that we will continue to do it over time.

As coaches, instead of complaining that our players won't get in the gym to work on shooting at game speed, we have to create a plan, or system, to make it easy for them to do so and enjoyable or satisfying so that they keep on doing it.  We have to make it obvious by giving them a set time to come into the gym.  We have to make it attractive by giving them something fun to do or grouping them with their friends, by making it a competition or by showing them the benefits of extra shots.  We have to make it easy by having everything set up, gym open, and balls out and ready for them to perform - all they have to do is show up and get after it.  We have to make it satisfying by tracking their progress or teaching them to track their own progress so that they can see growth and by acknowledging their efforts.  We can say that the kids need to be self-motivated and that this shouldn't be your job or that you don't have the time, but you won't be getting the most out of your kids.

Instead of complaining about what our players won't do, we have to create processes that they can perform that will allow them to improve and grow.  As leaders, we must do the same for all the people we serve.

My kids don't talk enough in practice.
Create a system called 'echo-communication.'  When coach calls something out, everybody has to yell - or echo - it out.  It will be tough to manage the first week, but anytime somebody doesn't echo the call, have a quick but effective consequence for the team.  Eventually, your team will start to manage themselves and eachother and you will become the loudest team in the gym each game.

We get off to bad starts because we don't warm-up effectively.
Create a system that really gets them going during your warm-up time and have an assistant coach take ownership in it.  Challenge the assistant to create and lead the best warm-up in the state!

We can't even catch and make layups!
Create a plan for practicing catching and shooting lay-ups to start practice.  Set a goal of ______ perfect passes, catches, and makes in ______ minutes.

We don't get back in transition fast enough.
Create a plan for getting back.  Beat the other team to half-court, touch the defensive paint, load up one side, then closeout to shooters.  Create a plan for drilling this in practice and managing/statting this in-game.

My kids aren't tough enough.
Define what actions are 'tough' actions to you, and create a process for teaching that skill.  We don't dive on the floor for loose balls - drill it.  We don't take charges - drill it.  We don't box out - drill it.

We lost games because we miss too many free-throws.
Create a system for how each player shoots free-throws.  Line up your feet, take a breath, 3 dribbles, find the rim, bend your knees, breathe, and shoot.
Create a system where they have to come in early or stay late and make 50-100 free-throws, outside of practice every day.  Make it attractive by having them chart their makes and have a locker room leader board and championship belt for the weekly winners.

My kids are being behavior issues in class and/or failing classes.
Create a system in which each coach is assigned a player and their job is to check on each player on the list each week.  Call or email each teacher and ask about the students' grades and behaviors.  Give praise when appropriate and have those tough conversations when needed.

There is always a solution, and most of the time it's either the relationship or the process.  Build strong relationships with those around you so they trust you, and make sure that you have effective processes in place so that everybody is in the best position to grow and become their best.