How should coaches define winning? The answer might surprise you.

Many coaches fail to realize that they have influence in athletes’ lives both on and off the field. One way or another, coaches will have lasting impact. What sort of legacy will you leave?

Coaches Have Lasting Impact on Athletes

Only one of Mike’s eight coaches realized he had a personal influence in Mike’s life. To Mike, the rest of his coaches seemed to only be using their athletes as stepping stones to progress in their coaching careers. Coaches sit in positions of authority in the minds of their athletes not just on the field but off the field as well.

Mike’s standout coach made a difference in his life by being both personal and holistic. He cared off the field and on the field. He didn’t just say what players needed to do, but how they needed to do it. These lessons bled over into Mike’s personal life and formed him into a better person.

[Related: Build Your Coaching on the Bedrock]

Athletes know the difference between people who are looking to influence them and people who are looking to use them. Leave a lasting legacy not just by winning games, but by winning people.

Article for this topic by Daniel Martin.
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Key Points:

  • Coaches have lasting impact on athletes.
  • Many coaches don’t ask the tough questions about how their actions impact their athletes’ hearts.
  • A standout coach can make an impact by being both personal and holistic.
  • Athletes know the difference between people who are looking to influence them and people who are looking to use them.

Quote This:

Are you here to win games, or are you here to win people?

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Think of the statement that only one of eight coaches realized they had personal influence in athletes’ lives. What about your own life? Did you feel used by coaches, or were there a few of them who were like Mike’s one coach? How did/does this impact you?
  3. “Are you here to win games, or are you here to win people?” How do you answer this question?
  4. What sort of relationship would you have with your athletes if you were no longer their coach?
  5. If you stopped coaching today, what would the athletes you’ve coached say is your legacy? Explain.
  6. What is the place of Christian faith in athletics?
  7. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

This topic is adapted from the FCA PursueGOD YouTube channel.

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