Folks,

Progress on the book is going well. 

I can say that now because any progress I've made is in the past, and I’ve reached this point without losing money or my sanity. At the start of the week, it looked like I might lose both. Red is for STOP!

Perspective, that’s what’s needed now, more than ever.

I didn’t start out thinking I would write an email about the obvious, but here I am, continuing to state the obvious: 

If you have ever coached youth in an invasion sport, you have probably shouted “spread out!” at some point. Kids spread out momentarily, then reconvene around the ball shortly after. What’s the point?

Last week, in a 30-yard by 30-yard grid with three mini-goals scattered throughout the pitch, I coached a 4v4 session. Every member of the team was aligned with the same thinking—score a goal. That’s teamwork, right?

Only one player began seeing things differently. True, the game required scoring goals, but what if the point was moving the ball away from the opposition and avoiding the crowd? Seven players were all doing the same thing - following the ball, and one had seen something different. 

Moments like this make coaching worthwhile. I wasn't trying to get every kid to do the same thing; that's why they follow the ball. My job was to help the group embrace a new idea, a new perspective, and test it.

When everyone on the team does the same thing, you have a rabble, not a team. Look for individuals who think differently and find ways to connect them to the rest. That’s the work of building a team.

Play nicely,

Simon

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