Initiative
Photo by dimas aditya on Unsplash
Ok, soapbox moment here (for you young’uns: soapbox refers to a box or crate used as a makeshift stand by a public speaker; "a soapbox orator". Used with reference to a situation in which someone expresses strong opinions about a particular subject.)
Initiative: the ability to start things independently.
Initiative. is not something you learn in a book, or are taught at school. I like to think I have it, but I find it a hard topic to define. I don’t think it is a skill; it’s more a characteristic. From an S&C coach perspective, we are there for strengthening and conditioning. We have our “essential duties”, a role to fulfill and a lane to stay in. However, there are so many duties that assist the team we can perform that ensure a smooth operation. Duties that do not require a uni degree.
Take home message
NOT EVERY TASK REQUIRES TRAINING OR TALENT.
For Coaches
We tell our athletes that looking or talking require no special talent on field. Picking up cones and helping carry bags requires no certification either.
For Athletes
Your development requires diligence and learning. Initiative is asking questions of your coaches and fellow players to drive your growth.
For me, it is looking to solve a problem before people know there is a problem. It’s anticipation. It’s planning. Thinking ahead about the session, the day, the week, or tour. What problems might come up and the options I might have to avoid them or fix them. It’s standing on the sideline at training, knowing the next drill requires the goals moved, or collecting balls. That the team is about to have a break and drink bottles need to be delivered, rather than waiting for the players to start heading over.
When starting as a coach, a lack of knowing what to do can stifle initiative. You don’t know what you don’t know and that’s ok. But here is the thing. You don’t actually need to know what to do. It can be as simple as asking. Look for work. At training and at matches. S&C coaches are not spectators, we are stage hands ensuring that a flawless show ensues. Players never need to ask for a water bottle filled. Coaches don’t ask for cones or goals to be set-up. Gym programs and options are ready on time. It’s having a whiteboard marker, a roll of strapping tape and a whistle in your bag all the time.
As a young athlete, again, you don’t know what you don’t know. That is ok. But you can become one of those good annoying athletes that constantly ask, “What else can I be doing?”. Again, you don’t have to know everything, but you can be asking what to do. After a while, you will remember and then you will be able to demonstrate initiative. I don’t mind answering questions about preparation or recovery, or even having to remind players. It’s much better when you see them start their exercises independently. When on tour, it is always inspiring as a staff member to see the players chipping in with kit and helping with logistics.
It is likely as an S&C coach, you have studied long and hard to earn your place. You bring specialised skills and expertise. Yet, there are so many tasks we can do to help that require no degree. This is my little bugbear, but there are many tasks to be done around a team that require no special skills. Other than a desire to serve others. You cannot get a certificate in “packing up training gear & filling bottles” because it takes no training - everyone is already qualified!
If you get into sport to watch, then sit in the stands. If you want to stay in sport, roll up your sleeves, show initiative and be a problem solver.
Photo by Alliance Football Club on Unsplash
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Thanks again. BA.