This time of year when you mention the word independence, people will easily relate it to July 4th and the birth of our nation. Fireworks, food, and a day off seems to be what most care about.

This year, I am asking coaches to please embrace the idea of independence with your players this upcoming season.

Let me explain.

I speak to, interview, and personally coach former athletes every week who are now entrepreneurs, executives, parents, and beyond. For most, they are not satisfied with their level of success in life after sports. They want to reach their full potential and achieve a higher level of greatness in their lives. When we breakdown what is standing in their way, many things come up from their previous life as an athlete.

One issue that comes up over and over is structure and time management.

As athletes we are told what to do, where to go, what time to be there, what to bring, what to eat, etc. Just as long as we follow directions our lives are mapped out. No thinking required. Just focus on the game.

The problem with this is, once athletes are done playing sports, they are lacking this structure. Combine it with the independence of now having free time, or being off at college, and the former athlete becomes lost. 

In life outside of sports, former athletes have to effectively manage their own time. This can be difficult without time management skills or training. As entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, or especially as parents, we have to manage our own time and think about our game of life.

I cannot emphasis enough how big of an issue this is for former athletes. As a coach you can be a catalyst in helping your athletes better prepare for life after the sports. The positive byproduct is they become more focused and structured athletes while part of your program.

Sports are a great practice for real life and I am encouraging coaches to give the gift of independence to their players. Instead of structuring their every move, consider giving them the ability to manage their own lives and responsibilities. Here are a few examples:

• At the first meeting, provide a detailed plan of your pre-season and season schedule. Outline practice, walkthroughs, games, weight training, film session, physical therapy, etc. Leave it up to the players to manage their time. When a player asks what time practice is, ask them to reference their issued plan.
• In this same plan, give them a list of everything they need for each practice and games. Have them be responsible for making sure they have everything packed and ready. No need to constantly remind them, or have coaches helping prepare. It’s on them.

I work with coaches who can’t help but control their athletes life down to the minute, and although this may work while they are in your program, but it is causing them to struggle in life after their careers are over.

Coach, it may seem like a lot of work, and I know you may be nervous they will not follow through or forget if you are not on top of them, but I am witnessing the results of this behaviour later in life and it’s not good.

There will need to be some oversight; and be prepared as your athletes will make mistakes, but that’s good. Let them make these mistake while you are there to guide them towards finding solutions and making better decisions, because in real life the consequences have a greater impact.

So this Fourth of July, make a commitment of giving the gift of independence to your team, they will remember the lessons, and thank you later in life.

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.