We Lost The Game. How To Impact Your Program After A Loss
Week One of college football is over and there were over 100 games played at this point of the season. With all of these games there are winners and losers. No one wants to be on the losing side to start off the season. With that said here are three things you can do to impact your program in the player development role after a loss:
Be There For The Players
There is a lot going on with the players in your locker room. Some feel they played their best, some don’t. Some feel they played a good number of plays, some don’t. Some liked their role in the game plan, some didn't. All of them want to be used more or affect the next game more than they did this last one. On top of all that you have the freshmen/redshirt group that may feel detached from the team as they for the first time in their life in some cases didn't travel and weren’t able to experience helping the team on gameday. Whatever the situation is, you must be there for the players. Your presence in the locker room, around the building and at practice can help calibrate feelings, emotions, and thoughts as y’all prepare for the next game.
2. It’s A Long Season
As you are there for the players you have the opportunity to remind them it is a long season. This initial loss of the season does not knock the team off of the goals set before the season. Most games played this early are not conference games and don’t impact the opportunity to compete for a conference or national championship. Of course, there may be disappointment, but you can’t allow one loss to become two by not realizing the focus must go on to the next opponent. As you remind the players, you are able to remind coaches, support staff and administration as well.
3. Don’t Panic
Stick to your systems. Stay consistent with the way you show up for players and others in the program. More people are watching you than you think. In the player development role, you are the liaison between the coaching staff and the players. You have the opportunity to impact both by staying true to who you’ve always been. This may make others uncomfortable. I am a positive guy, who likes to smile and put people at ease with humor. I stayed who I was after losses bouncing around with energy and a smile the next day. (I was very careful with the humor and discerned who I could put at ease with it following a loss.) Being in panic doesn’t help either side of the players or coaches you serve. Stay calm and be you.
Wins come and losses come. The way you react to them can have a great impact on your program. Here’s to you staying in the winning column. Have a great day.
If you would like more guidance in the player development role, email info@btfprogram.com and let me know how I can champion your player development journey.
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