Coaching Girls Varsity

Can't say I've ever worked with the ultra-rich, but I coach in an extremely wealthy suburb. "Privileged" kids are great to work with. They usually understand that hard work = results, and they have a strong desire to achieve things because that's what's instilled in them by their family. Parents care about their kids and are very supportive of the program. That has been my experience at least—but most of my kids come from families which made their money, not inherited it. I don't know if there's going to be a difference.

You have found the ideal school to build a successful program at but it sounds like you're too insecure to handle the job.

I have had a different experience than the post above. Parents are involved, yes but could care less about your team. They will pay you lip service but then pull their kid for a family vacation. Or tour colleges all summer and not run a step. The kids are usually over involved and running is low priority. I mean there's a reason the school is weak in sports, this is probably it. As for the uber rich those kids usually have no parental guidance and are raised by a nanny. It's sad really and there are many emotional simularities to the kid who is poor and parents work all the time.

That said I would do it. Make it fun and teach them to love running. If they like you the coaches gift at the end of the season is hopefully a nice bonus.

But be smart man. You need to be above approach with these kind of insecure girls with daddy issues. Never be alone with them and treat them all the same. One hint of favoritism could lead to rumors that ruin your life. Sad, but it's the world we live in now.

This group will different challenges than others but the approach that all successful teams take is to build a culture around the team that makes kids want to be part of it. Once you have good numbers you'll get some standouts and motivated captains and you'll be rolling.

The things that build a positive culture are almost all non-running activities: get cool gear including championship uniforms. Attend a travel meet. The camaredrie of traveling is the best part. Go attend a college or pro meet to let them see what next level looks like. Put on a meet for the feeder middle school(s) that feed into your school. It will get the MS thinking about your program an let the HS kids play host. They love that.

I was offered a girls XC coaching position years ago, after only previously coaching boys (and being a male former collegiate runner myself). Reluctantly, I took the job...

Coaching girls cross country turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of my life, so much so that I wrote a memoir novel about the whole experience, "Their Effort Was Like Toothpaste" -- please read the reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Their-Effort-Was-Like-Toothpaste/dp/1627460551

Girls are a lot tougher than you may realize, and if you can get them to become a team that runs selflessly for one other, you're in for a treat.

Ironically, now at a different school, I will be starting a new stint as girls' head XC coach in a school of very privileged kids as well. Best of luck to you!

All good advice here. Layout your goals for the program and your dreams for them. Make sure they own it, not you. Teach them about what is possible, they don't know and won't believe it until you start making believers out of them. Find a good example program they can observe and ask them what they think makes them successful. Don't sugar coat poor effort or performance in practice or meets. Be realistic and patient, Rome wasn't built in a day. Don't be afraid to allow younger athletes to lead your program. The older athletes may be too used to old ideas and not willing to meet new expectations for themselves. Challenge them daily and make sure you explain why you are doing what you do. Kids are smarter than ever and will appreciate that added education. It will also change your approach when they mature as upperclassmen. Again, they will take more ownership and zero in with laser focus on what it will take to break into that top 10% as an individual or a team. Everybody counts, everyone makes a difference. Do not cross that fine line of trust or you will lose everything. You have to earn it first though. Give it at least two seasons to really get things moving to a sustainable position and something to continue to grow on. Take a genuine interest in the other aspects of their lives without trying to get too personal. Follow them beyond your experience. You'll be surprised at your influence but remember what kind of a coach you would want your own kids to have and set the tone for them if they ever wanted to consider coaching themselves someday.

acidosis wrote:

They are decked out in J Crew and Abercrombie.

You must be joking....I give you 1/10.

Geoffrey,

I don't want to hijack the thread too much but do you think your book is appropriate for middle school girls to read?

you have received great advice here. I had the privilege of coaching kids like you as well. I loved it, it wasn't that stressful for either me or the girls I coached. I believe that was the key. These girls and their parents will put enough stress on themselves. Make it fun, keep them injury free with a holistic approach, make them want to come to practices and challenge themselves at meets. Success will happen if they stay on the team and get friends to join. Slowly but surely they will get better as they increase their running and other ancillary training.

)*&aknomevf9- wrote:

Geoffrey,

I don't want to hijack the thread too much but do you think your book is appropriate for middle school girls to read?

Absolutely. Although it is a story of a high school team, the same principles would apply to middle-school aged girls, too. Nothing in the book is outside family-friendly, safe, appropriate, readable language, and would most definitely be appropriate for middle school girls. In a nutshell, it's about teamwork, trust, hard work, togetherness, and faith... as well as how uniquely fulfilling it is to be a coach, as compared to when being 'just' an athlete.

I hope you inherit a girls team that includes members who actually want to be there and actually want to run, or it will be a long season for you. That was my experience anyway.

Lol @ this idea that most white money wasn't inherited. Ever heard of the New Deal? The FHA? HOLC? CCC? LOL

They'll work hard if it's their thing and not their parent idea. Here is my advice . . . find the leader and have her buy-in. If that happens your job will be easy and the titles will accumulate.

Good girl's XC programs all start with a good leader, and then the success will perpetuate itself into future teams.

Jon Bon Jovi wrote:

They'll work hard if it's their thing and not their parent idea. Here is my advice . . . find the leader and have her buy-in. If that happens your job will be easy and the titles will accumulate.

Good girl's XC programs all start with a good leader, and then the success will perpetuate itself into future teams.

Couldn't agree more... girls follow leaders. Allowing 'bad seeds' to become team leaders (i.e., of cliques) can be hard to correct, but if you can catch onto, and properly nurture, the solid, high-character ladies on the team early in the season, there's no telling what they can accomplish.

Another side note: soccer players often make excellent XC runners... encouraging them to come out for the team will automatically raise the average talent level of the XC team.

Geof,

Enjoyed your book.

OP: this is an excellent opportunity for you to find a sugar momma wife. Pick a hot but slightly insecure senior and start to groom her now. After she graduates, get inside that and make her yours. Her daddy's money is your ticket to happiness.

Well, that and her snatch.

Seriously though it depends on the culture at the school. This is hard to predict unless you know a teacher or coach at the school.

The fact that the principal sounds interested in the success of the program is a very good sign though.

Three ideas:

Assuming you are a male coaching a team at a girls HS, try to recruit a woman at the school or a parent to be an assistant--especially to help with the travel to meets. There may be occasions when girls may have difficulty communicating with a male coach versus a female coach. If this is not an option, try to get 2+ upper-class girls to be the team captions. A big part of the job will be for them to be in regular (daily) contact with everybody on the team when you are unable to be, then you can meet with the captains regularly.

There was a good element in "Running With The Buffaloes" where the coach (Mark Wetmore) has the runners on the team set the goals for the season as an individual and as a team. Then he structured the training for the season based on what the athletes wanted. This is not a revolutionary idea, but it was effective. Have the athletes share what their goals are for the season, and set up the workouts and competitions to meet them. Granted some people will be on the team to enjoy running with friends.

Stress the safety element for running--especially outside of practice. Avoid running alone, avoid traffic, run in locations/times where there are others also running, carry a cell phone, don't wear headphones, etc.

Are you a happily married man? I don't want to see another Oscar Ponce situation develop.