Team Facilitation: What I Learned From Coaching the McKinney Comets

Nothing great was every achieved without enthusiasm!

Boy is that the case with the McKinney Comets, the fourth grade girls basketball team that I coach! At our first game, I named the starting five and placed them on the court in their defensive positions. On my way back to the bench, I saw the non-starters doing jumping jacks on the sidelines. "What are you doing?" I asked. "Getting ready for the second quarter coach!" was their response. Perhaps it was nervous energy or 10 year old enthusiasm, but it was great. I wish all the teams I worked with had such a spark. These young girls have taught me that team facilitation can be improved by taking some steps that many team leaders overlook.

Step 1 - Get people comfortable with each other.

This step can be achieved though icebreakers like jokes or games. The McKinney Comets played the "name game". We had to repeat our name and everyone else's name to the left of us. As the last person, I said, "My name is Coach Tom and this is Brittany G., Brittany B., Shelby, Lindsey, Kelsey, McKenzie, Emily, Valerie, Samantha, Nicki, and Allie". Try this at your next meeting with strangers - it can really set a positive tone.

Step 2 - Set the rules.

A couple of the Comets rules include - one person talks at a time, and no one talks while the coach is talking. Not bad advice for any team. For the Comets, activities like singing, chasing, hair braiding, and other rowdier behaviors start up immediately if we don't follow the rules. Our parents comment that we get more done in a practice than most, just because we insist on order and discipline.

Step 3 - Encourage participation - especially from the quiet voices.

On the McKinney Comets, everyone plays at least half of every game. This creates a shared responsibility between all team members. No one player makes all the points, or plays all the defense. For instance, our tallest player and highest scorer is also the quietest. We have found that pulling her aside and talking one on one works best for getting her input and listening to her concerns.

Step 4 - Watch for clues that you are going too fast.

This might include a lost look in one's eyes, or a lack of concentration. I love the naïve honesty the Comets have. They simply ask "What? I don't get it." As adults, we often feel embarrassed to admit that we don't know what is going on, so we fake it. As a leader, make sure everything is explained clearly. When someone does ask a question; respond thankfully for his or her input.

Step 5 - Celebrate success.

In warm up, when one of our girls makes a basket they all cheer - even though the points don't count. Celebrate success, and realize that mistakes shouldn't be devastating. In order for any team to grow and develop they have to learn and master new skills - and, not every new thing works as planned. We learned this when we put in a new offense called "Pass and pick away". We might as well have said, "Hand in your calculus homework", because the Comets did not get it. But, we tried, and when it didn't go smoothly we didn't get angry.

Step 6 - Praise specific behaviors to get more back in spades.

After each game, I make a point of commenting on a positive way that each girl helped the team. This very specific praise can be highly motivating. After one practice, I complimented Nicki on how well she did the conditioning drill called "running lines." She got so fired up by my praise that she stayed after practice and ran more lines with her sister - just for fun. Think of how good you feel when someone goes beyond the words "nice job!" to praise something specific.

So, as the Comets begin the second half of their season, I continue to be amazed. They are so enthusiastic and psyched up by the game that it humbles me to be their coach. Perhaps some of the lessons the Comets taught me will help your team function more smoothly. If not, ask your team to do jumping jacks - they get everyone up and moving and they are wonderful for the circulation!