Great cultures abound as examples of sporting success. The key is to build your own, using the success clues left by others as your guide. In this episode, Damien Hughes outlines the clues left by Barcelona and other great sports cultures so we can begin to develop a culture of success with our teams. Show Notes 10:15 What lead Damien to explore the Barcelona culture 19:00 Soft versus hard skills and their impact on performance 25:45 The 5 types of cultures 38:30 Pep's process for turning things...
Oct 08, 2018•1 hr 15 min
Sports are as much a learning journey as for us as it is for the athletes we coach. We MUST be willing to learn from those around us and evolve for the sake of those we lead. In this episode, John shares the three greatest lessons he has learned over the last 80 shows. Show Notes 11:05 Kris Van Der Haegan "Who is in front of me" 39:30 Mark Upton "The value of games-based learning" 1:05:00 Mark Bennett "The Rule of 3" Getting in Touch Kris Van Der Haegen – Twitter: @KrisVDHaegen Website: www.icoa...
Oct 01, 2018•1 hr 33 min
What are we saying and doing that can be the inner voice driving athletes to make dangerous decisions regarding nutrition and their bodies? What can we do to recognize and prevent these issues before it's too late? Tune in to this difficult and important discussion now. Show Notes 10:35 Dr. Bennet's daily work with athletes 16:20 Background and research on eating disorders in athletes 20:20 Eating disorders exist in men too, and we have to be willing to talk about it 22:50 Causes of eating disor...
Sep 23, 2018•56 min
#79 The Power of Influence: A Fireside Chat with John and Jerry about how coaches, parents and teammates can impact their teams in a positive way What is influence, why is it never neutral, and how can we be more intentional about positively influencing our athletes? Join the Fireside Chat with Jerry and John now to find out more! Show Notes 11:30 Joy should be the first core value of sports 15:15 What is influence 26:00 The influence of Coach Pete Carrol 40:15 What does teammate to teammate inf...
Sep 17, 2018•1 hr 9 min
One post. One bad decision. One moment of poor judgment frozen in time and saved for eternity on social media. That is all it takes to alter your future trajectory as a youth athlete. In this episode Scott Fitch shares stories of athletes who should have "paused before they posted" and much more. Show Notes 1:15 Scott's development journey as a late bloomer and finding the right fit for you 7:30 Balancing coaching public high school and a national team 12:00 How coaches must adapt and evolve as ...
Sep 10, 2018•1 hr 7 min
What would it look like if all your athletes were able to acknowledge, resolve, and let go of emotions and feelings during games? If they could choose the right behaviors, even in moments of high pressure because they were able to understand and forgive their own feelings and thoughts and not get stuck in negative patterns? Dr. Amy Saltzman shares with us the concept of mindfulness so we can help our athletes achieve peak performance and not let thoughts, feelings, and that little voice slow the...
Sep 03, 2018•59 min
This is a first for WOC! Coaching Expert Mark Bennett returns to expound on his Rule of 3 and teach us how to develop independent, self-aware, and accountable athletes at all levels of the game. Queue this one up and listen on your way to work today! Other Interviews with Mark – Mark's First Appearance on Way of Champions: Episode 31: Listen to Episode 31 here Another Great Interview with Mark on Coach Reed's Coaching Code Podcast: Listen to TCC Episode 17 here Mark's Conversation with Stu Armst...
Aug 27, 2018•1 hr 12 min
People talk about "old school" when it comes to coaching and athlete performance. The problem is most of us have the wrong perspective. "Old school" is not strength and conditioning in a vacuum with no functional movement. "Old School" is not running laps until you puke. "Old School", as defined by Joe, Tony, and Rick, has to do with how wellness was treated in the beginning: holistic, all-encompassing, focused on better movement and healthy people. Listen to this episode to hear how LTAD Playgr...
Aug 20, 2018•1 hr 12 min
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to coach the likes of Christian Pulisic when he was a youngster, or to take a team of 16-year-olds to South America to play in adverse conditions? Have you thought about how life-changing it would be to coach War Heroes at the World Paralympic Games? Don't miss this episode where Anthony shares the stories of his coaching legacy. Enjoy the show! Show Notes 7:00 Anthony's journey as a coach 13:15 Anthony's thoughts on US player development 32:45 My leg...
Aug 12, 2018•1 hr 13 min
Some coaches may win a few games or even a championship using bullying tactics without creating any kind of connection or caring environment with the players. If they'd followed the R.I.V.E.R. effect could they have won more? Could they have impacted lives beyond the game? John and Jerry discuss the acronym RIVER and its vital importance for developing championship teams and people who are empowered to succeed in life. Enjoy the show! Show Notes 6:45 Why the R.I.V.E.R. effect 13:15 The R.I.V.E.R...
Aug 06, 2018•58 min
What was Sir Alex Ferguson like as a person when the cameras weren't on him? What was it like to be a part of one of the world's most famous youth academies and win a Treble of Championships with one of the most storied and powerful sports brands? Listen to this episode with former Manchester United Player, Mark Wilson, to hear his amazing stories and his outlook on developing the next generation. Enjoy the show! Show Notes 7:00 What it was like training at one of the greatest youth soccer acade...
Jul 30, 2018•1 hr 11 min
There is a sport out there that has grown 17% every year for the last 6 years. In addition, 54% of participants say it helps them connect with their friends, 67% of parents get to play it with their children, and 71% of parents say it has had a positive influence. Those statistics sound fantastic. Can you guess which sport? In this latest podcast, Kirk Anderson tells us what sport this is and what we need to do to create that same experience in other sports. Show Notes 1:30 Where it all started ...
Jul 23, 2018•58 min
"We are too busy looking for the silver bullet--the single finger to put in the dam regarding the injury epidemics happening in youth sports today--that we are missing the fact the dam is overflowing. " Join Dr. Tommy John in this eye-opening, and frightening discussion about the youth sports injury epidemic and his mission to stop the madness. Show Notes 6:50 How a shoulder infection was the catalyst from Dr. Tommy John's crusade to prevent injuries 10:20 Tommy John surgery is suddenly a curse ...
Jul 16, 2018•58 min
What if there was a simple solution to getting better academic performance, reducing discipline problems, and greater engagement of our children at school? There is a simple solution, and instead of adding more of it, we've been eliminating it from schools altogether! Paul Zientarski shares how he has transformed school districts by simply adding more PE and recess to the daily schedule. Enjoy the show! Show Notes 6:15 40 years and 75 sport seasons - Paul's depth of knowledge and experience 11:1...
Jul 09, 2018•52 min
What will it take for US Soccer to become a World Soccer Power? How can we continue to grow the game at the youth levels while helping to improve at the highest too? This episode, we sit down with Sam Snow to talk about his role with US Youth Soccer and the plan for getting to the next level. Enjoy the show! Show Notes 6:15 The Soccer Boom of the 70s thanks to the NASL 10:15 Positive changes in soccer over the last few decades 17:15 The Art and the Science of Sport – Soccer is more Art 32:15 The...
Jul 01, 2018•1 hr 3 min
What if youth sport had a much greater purpose than winning, fitness, socialization, or development? What if sports could break down barriers, change societal obstructions, create opportunities for the better, and even save lives? In this dually heart-warming and heart-breaking episode Nick Gates, Founder of Coaches Across Continents, shares how his company has been serving that higher purpose for 10 years using a ball and a lot of love. Show Notes 10:40 How Coaches Across Continents Started in ...
Jun 25, 2018•56 min
The vast majority of youth sports are suffering from catastrophic attrition rates and governing bodies, clubs, and teams are scrambling to keep kids in the game. US Lacrosse is growing by leaps and bounds in comparison. What is the secret formula to engaging and keeping kids have they discovered? Listen to the full podcast to hear the very simple solution to youth sport attrition rates. Enjoy the show! Show Notes 7:45 The "Pracademic" of youth sports 12:15 Why is Lacrosse still growing as a spor...
Jun 18, 2018•59 min
How much of our human performance limits is physical and how much is "in our heads"? According to Alex Hutchinson, the human brain is the next frontier in breaking barriers in performance. We know more about the brain in the last 50 years than we did in the last 500 years combined. Is he right about the brain being the key to breaking new physical barriers? Listen to the full podcast for more. Show Notes 9:45 We have learned more about the brain in the last 5 years than we did in the prior 500 1...
Jun 10, 2018•1 hr 2 min
#64 "I'm just a kid playing a game": Overcoming adversity, managing disappointment, and building an athlete warrior ethos with USA Volleyball Player Cassidy Lichtman Imagine playing your entire career with unimaginable pain or working your hardest for four years to fall one spot short of making a lifelong dream come true. Now imagine the kind of warrior ethos required to say "my pain will not control my life and my disappointments will not define me". This is the amazing journey of Cassidy Licht...
Jun 03, 2018•1 hr 3 min
We often discuss what it takes to be a great leader, but the flip side is a willingness to be led. Great athletes, and even great coaches are always eager to learn and be led by others. Are you the kind of athlete willing to listen to others and put in the work? Listen to the rest of our podcast with Paul Kapsalis to hear more of his story. Enjoy the show! Show Notes 10:45 On being the 35thman on a 35-man roster 14:30 Give credit for leaders but also take credit for willing to be lead 24:00 "You...
May 28, 2018•55 min
#62"What is your team's why?" How outcomes are both purpose and process driven with Middlebury College AD Erin Quinn What if your team was outcome-aware, but process and purpose-driven? What kind of results would you get if there was an undeniable and shared purpose and everyone was focused on the process of being their very best every day? To hear about great outcome-aware, purpose and process-driven teams, listen to our latest podcast. Enjoy the show! Show Notes 6:35 What makes Middlebury a gr...
May 20, 2018•1 hr 11 min
"I screwed that up." Imagine asking a member of the Navy Seals what makes a great leader, and that it is the answer you receive. One of the toughest people on the planet showing vulnerability, failure, and weakness. According to Daniel Coyle, this ability to find weakness is what makes great teams strong. This is a must listen podcast for anyone who works with teams. Hear more about what it takes to build great cultures. Show Notes 2:00 How a little girl and a tennis ball sparked The Culture Cod...
May 14, 2018•53 min
When it comes to setting up classrooms for children, we get it. Everything in the school, including the restrooms, are kid sized, because we understand they are not adult-sized. Why do we continue to insist on full-size fields, big equipment, and adult rules when it comes to youth sports? If you agree with Dr. Norris in the video clip, listen in to the entire episode for more great insights. Enjoy the show! Show Notes 5:55 Stephen found many athletes vying for the Olympics were not actually prep...
May 07, 2018•1 hr
Nancy Stevens wrote one short sentence on the locker room mirror prior to the start of the 2017 season. She then repeated that season before her UConn Field Hockey team won the National Championship. One short sentence that empowered them, loosened them up, gave them confidence. What did she write? Show Notes 6:20 How Nancy got started down the coaching path 11:50 Your team WILL have a culture, be proactive in shaping it 17:20 How do you recruit those inherent character traits? 27:35 Have we cre...
Apr 30, 2018•1 hr 6 min
Did you ever just want to quit doing what you are doing? How do you handle someone who sabotages your work? How do you help athletes learn without lecturing all the time? What are your thoughts on coaching licenses? Coach Reed and John tackle these Frequently Asked Questions and more in our most recent podcast. Enjoy the show! Show Notes 1:30 What are some of the best leadership traits? 4:50 Have you ever just wanted to quit and how did you get through it? 9:35 How do you handle someone who open...
Apr 23, 2018•59 min
Enjoy the show! If we coached robots, we could simply drill skills until the robots performed them to perfection, but we coach human beings. Way more goes into coaching people than simple drills and skills. Jean Cote shares what it means to be a Transformational Coach in our latest episode. Show Notes 1:30 What got Jean into the Deliberate Play research realm 9:30 If we were coaching robots, we could teach just the skills 21:15 What kind of coaching is needed to enhance the 4Cs 28:15 Great coach...
Apr 16, 2018•1 hr 4 min
Are you one of THOSE sports parents? All too often, we lump sports parents into one large category based on the behaviors of a few. Skye Eddy Bruce joins us to explain that not all parents are that way and the key to creating a better sports experience may be found with engaging parents more effectively. Enjoy the show! Show Notes 6:20 Soccer Parenting is the PTA of Youth Soccer 9:00 When a coach should "open the door" and when a coach should "close the door" 14:30 How do coaches establish trust...
Apr 08, 2018•1 hr
What would it be like to coach some of the greatest tennis players of all time before they become the icons they are today? Tune in to our latest podcast to hear Dick Gould's stories about these iconic players and more from over 50 years with Stanford Tennis. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 2:15 Are fun and competitiveness mutually exclusive in sports? 10:30 Great programs have standards, not rules 16:45 We have to look at athletes and ask, "What is going to make t...
Apr 02, 2018•58 min
Are we robbing our kids of valuable self-directed executive function when we solve everything for them and don't let them make mistakes? This is a valuable life skill needed to succeed in college and beyond. Listen in as Jessica Lahey explains on the newest podcast. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 7:10 Education is not about attendance and tests, are we missing the best moments for teaching? 14:25 When we are highly directive with kids, they don't become frustrated...
Mar 25, 2018•1 hr 6 min
When a program, both men's and women's teams, wins 16 National Championships in 18 seasons, we should take notice. When those programs are also sought after by parents because they create excellent men and women in the process, there is something we can all learn from them. Find out what Professor Zigarelli discovered about the Messiah Method. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 8:40 There is something to be learned from a program that wins 16 National Championships in...
Mar 19, 2018•54 min
