XC Coaches concerns/advice please

This is the ultimate unanswerable youth coaching question, isn't it? It is an elusive thing to motivate those who do not see their own wasteful behavior gradually chipping away at their overall potential success. At a simplistic level, provide an environment for the highest quality possible team-building that supersedes all other distractions that they encounter from other peer groups. If that means you meet every day, every evening, just to keep them out of trouble (I don't know your environment), then that is what may need to be done. Many a community center or inner city boys club have turned around kids' lives just by opening up the doors and throwing a ball out, or hanging up a few heavy bags, some gloves, and headgear.

In addition to creating that "this is what I do everyday, this is who I am, an athlete, on this team" type mentality, provide an abundance of information: scientific, stories/backgrounds of successful athletes, examples of peer-level national/international times/performances and training regimens, and access to websites like letsrun and others. With the ability to see and understand what others have done, as well as continue to do daily, right at their fingertips, only those who were never really committed in the first place would not step up to meet their own training challenges.

I can really relate to the challenge you've defined here athleticsfreak. I'm in my eighth year as boys and girls CC coach at a rural/suburban high school, and motivation and inspiration are a constant challenge. I do have a few suggestions that worked for me.

First, explain and constantly reinforce the character traits that you believe will contribute to a positive team culture. Explain how these traits lead to individual and team success.

Secondly, tie these character traits into an effective and sound training philosophy and program. If the kids who listen and get on board are successful, others will follow.

Finally, be patient. It takes years to cultivate a postitve team culture and build your program. When I started, I had 1-4 kids show up for summer runs, the athletes would complain about the workouts, the upperclassmen would teach the freshman where to hide to dodge workouts, and many of the runners were "partiers."

Over the years, things have turned around. The upperclassmen and top runners model the positive character traits and the new runners buy into it. I have 80-90% participation at summer runs, the team has grown, and we've been successful.

I hope this helps. keep the faith!

Well said. Carry on.

Many thanks for these enlightening ideas and suggestions. Its tough for both athletes and coaches in todays fast, materialistic modern world. You have given me some food food for thought and I will plan a revised schedule to apply next week. Patience is a virtue and must be applied long term for future success in running. Am plqanning to get some top class runners to assist in training sessions soon, this should support motivation and discipline.

Its good to talk and support each other, many thanks for your help. Enjoy a challenge and adapting new approaches.

keep the pecker up,, they will really admire you in several years when looking back. For many we are the one stable thing in their lives....many will drop out but that is not your call. Many will return later on too...we can only do our best...!!

We meet for our Saturday long runs at a running store in town that usually has about 75-100 adults (Olympic Trials Marathon qualifiers on down to 10-minute milers) meeting there to run, many of whom our athletes get to know very well. My reasoning for this is for them to see that running is more of a "lifestyle" than just a "sport". It's something you can do for the rest of your life, not just for four years. When they see 30+ year-old adults with families, working 40 hours a week and still running 60,70,80+ miles a week, I think it helps them realize how much they can do on a college class schedule and also that you never get too old to keep working towards goals.

As some of the above posters noted, I think developing a team concept is critical as well as having the "right" people who will develop into good leaders and set the tone for the others. It definitely takes time to change attitudes and create the right environment, but it can and will happen eventually if you stay consistent and keep the faith. Good luck.

terps wrote:

provide...access to websites like letsrun

This is not a good piece of advice for young impressionable minds.

I do like the other recommendations though.