I am often asked by officals at the start of a game what do I want to do if we win the coin toss. I let them know that I have no idea and to ask the team captains who will be on the field. They are always shocked to learn that I do not make this decision nor even care to know the answer. My rationale is that this is their game, their team and their season. I am simply along to guide them through Socratic “learner driven” coaching.
What makes learner driven coaching unique is the emphasis on self-directed learning. In creating a team of self-directed learners, it is crucial coaches hold the line on guiding and not teaching. To do this, requires coaches to develop new pathways of communication whereby we listen more and speak less. We should adhere to the old adage that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.
Athletes are the Captains of their own Heroes Journey and as coaches we are along for the ride. We are not to become the “petty tyrants” which rob athletes of the lessons best learned through self discovery. As learner driven coaches, we will hold each other accountable to these foundational points:
Point #1: A promise to each other
