Thursday, November 19, 2015

West Coast/East Coast

I think coaches basically fall into one of two buckets.  This has to do with coaching style and demeanor.  Coaches can either be "west coast" or "east coast".

I am going to try to describe a few of the defining characteristics of west coast and east coast coaches.  Our east coast example I will refer to as "Ron", and our west coast example I will refer to as "Kyle".

Ron

Ron is a no-nonsense guy.  When Ron is coaching you, it is Ron's way or the highway.  Ron will not hesitate to make you run a lap or do burpee penalties on a whim.  Ron will yell at you when you mess up and will shout and curse at the team in the huddle.  Ron believes that success can be achieved though this no-nonsense approach, and that without discipline success is not possible.  Ron believes this because he has probably had success approaching the game in this way in his career.  Ron will pick favorites early based on his assessment of whether a player has the discipline that he feels is necessary to succeed.  He will work hard to drag the team to success on the backs of his favorites and with his no-nonsense style.  

Ron probably grew up in a medium sized grey-brown industrialized city with a steel mill, where his dad probably worked.  His family probably had to work hard for it's successes, which provides the foundation for Ron's grueling work ethic and steadfast belief in discipline as the one true path to greatness.  Ron probably played football or baseball as a child, and had ex-military coaches teach him those games.

East coast coaches:  Kubz, Z, Cash

Kyle

Kyle is a free spirit.  Kyle wants everyone to get along and have a great time.  Kyle believes that a successful team must be built upon trust and love for each other as teammates and brothers.  Culture is everything for Kyle.  Kyle is very careful with the language he uses as to not offend anyone.  He especially does everything possible to be gender neutral, culturally sensitive, cognizant of sexuality, and even tries to avoid microaggressions.  Kyle loves to talk about feelings, mental state, and visualization.  Kyle hates talking about discipline and hard work, because Kyle believes those should be intrinsic to the individual.  Kyle believes that teams are only as strong as the weakest player, and that greatness is achieved through depth and more "team-ness".

Kyle probably grew up in an extremely liberal household.  Kyle's parents were probably massive hippies, and probably considered naming him "moonchild" or "echinacea" before thankfully deciding to go with "Kyle" and sparing him two decades of ridicule/freeing him of the legal headache of going through a name change.  Kyle probably went to a non-traditional school which emphasized community and freedom of choice.  Kyle probably played soccer or ran cross country, and received participation trophies frequently throughout his sporting career.

West coast coaches:  Chuck, Weisbrod, Lou, Phil Jackson

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Here are some examples of how Ron and Kyle would approach different scenarios.

Scenario 1: A player asks for help with their forehand

Ron:  Talks about mechanics and delivery, talks about wrist/forearm power and adding lower body power.  Talks about the number of reps and amount of focus required to improve.

Kyle:  Talks about feelings and philosophy for 20 minutes.  Gives some cues and talks about doing what feels right.  Says something dubiously scientific about "energy flow".

Scenario 2: Pregame huddle

Kyle:  Talks about focusing inward on the team.  Talks about ignoring external things that can't be controlled.  Talks about development.

Ron:  Talks about fire and discipline.  Talks about how the frisbee gods smile on those that work hard.  Talks about taking no prisoners and heading into battle.

Scenario 3: After getting knocked out at regionals

Ron:  Is visibly angry.  Talks about failure, legacy, and the work it takes to succeed.  Says very little else, leaves.

Kyle:  Talks for a while about how it's about the journey, not the destination.  Talks about growth and talks about building for the future.  Goes and gets burritos with the team afterwards.

Scenario 4: After winning regionals

Kyle: Celebrates with the team

Ron: Celebrates with the team

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