“The best way to improve the team is to improve yourself” - John Wooden 

This quote from Coach Wooden is a powerful statement because it speaks to every member of a team. For the team to improve, everyone involved must do the hard work to make themselves better in all areas of the game and life.  

This road to improvement doesn't have to be a lonely one. As competitors, we tend to feel we need to go through this process of self improvement alone, however the opposite is true. In fact, not only is it important to work with others going through the same process, it is also a huge benefit to the overall performance of the unit. Think of the power of a mastermind group.   

Leadership is growing the collective power of many.  

One way to grow this collective power of your team is to engage your players beyond football. Consider gathering them together to grow as unit through fun, laughter, compassion, and self growth.  

Before you get the team back on the field this summer take the players away for a powerful retreat weekend. Or, if leaving town is not an option, have them come to your facilities, and instead of weights and conditioning, have a series of self improvement activities.  

For example, you take the players away this summer for a weekend, and you leave the footballs and whiteboard at home. This is all about connection and growth. You can do activities such as: 

• Go swimming in the lake or rafting down a lazy river. 

• Play games other than football, such a dodgeball, softball, or lawn games.  

• Engauge them in team building games like tug-of-war, relay races, or a scavenger hunt.  

• Sing, dance, or put on skits.  

• Have the players cook food and clean for each other.  

The goal is fun, and the results are lessons for life. Players learn about themselves and each other. They experience how each other respond to different circumstances, handle pressure, and experience joy. They build trust in each other and the coaches.  

Help players learn how to set goals, find a purpose, and understand their own feelings. Examples: 

• Send the players off alone to set goals for themselves in school, at home, and on the football field. Then have them come back and discuss in groups and assign an accountability partner.  Having a teammate as an accountability partner through the upcoming season is powerful as the partners are then vested in each others success.  

• Vulnerability breeds connection. Create opportunities for players to open up to each other about their feelings, their fears, insecurities, and what makes them happy.  

• Please remember to get your coaching staff involved as well. The players need to hear your goals, dreams, and yes, even where you are vulnerable and growing.  

All these exercises are helping build individuals while being supported by teammates who want to see each other succeed.  

Twenty years from now, your players will vaguely remember your season, regardless of how well you do, however, they will take with them the experiences of growing personally and bonding as a unit at a powerful retreat.

Learn on your own time, from any device. Visit the USA Football Coach Performance Center.

As founder of The Recovering Athlete™, Cletus Coffey teaches and trains coaches, teams, athletes and professionals how to take skills and success learned on the field and apply it to life off the field. As a former defensive back/receiver in the CFL and Arena Football League, and as a first team all- conference football player and a college decathlete at Lewis & Clark College, he faced even bigger challenges once his athletic career was over. By combining his success as a professional athlete and a business/industry expert, he now helps others win at the game of life, not just sports. To connect with Cletus Coffey, email him  info@cletuscoffey.com and listen to his podcast here.