Friday Night Loss

Turning the Page

It’s Monday after a tuff Friday night loss. The players are creeping into a cool, low-lit, meeting room. There is a reverberating hum of conversation that adds to the dullness. You can hear the crinkling of notes from the previous week’s game plan being stashed away. Several hooded sweatshirts are covering heads in an attempt to lay low. Foldable metal chairs begin to fill the space, dinging off one another, playing musical chimes into the air. Veterans have made their way to the front, while the youngins remain at the back, in a display of hierarchical structure. The game film has strategically been readied and is projected on the wall. Each player nervously anticipates what game clips are to come.

Comedic Relief

The Head Coach enters the room with a steaming cup of coffee and notes in hand. He approaches the front, through the tunnel of chairs like a fighter entering the ring. He reaches his destination, turns, and smiles…

Coaching is serious business. Players expect coaches to deliver important information with a stern tone. When the message struggles to cross the boundary of understanding, great coaches apply comedic relief. They can speak hilarity into the difficult moments.

Read the Room

Sometimes the best approach is the unanticipated approach. It would be easy to enter the room in a fit of rage or ridicule. To leave lasting impressions on an audience, an unorthodox tone can be a cattle brand to the mind. When the expectation is fury, give them love. While they’re at ease and complacent, drop the hammer. When they lose and spirits are soured, give them laughter. Be willing to adapt and anticipate the energy projected by the team. Addressing a team should not be ruled primarily by the feelings of the coach. Consider the full spectrum of the team atmosphere. Especially after a Friday night loss.