Expectations- What can YOU promise to your athletes?

We coaches never hesitate to let our expectations known to our athletes. Sometimes, we can be quite demanding-- in practice, in games, on the court and off the court, in-season and off-season. But what can our athletes expect of us? It can be quite helpful to team building and the growth of your program, to openly share some things your athletes can expect out of you. These are things for which you are accountable. What can you guarantee? Well, nobody can guarantee wins and losses. Or that everybody will have fun. But I've listed a few items for you to consider if you'd like to come up with your own list of "coaching expectations."

Can you promise to enforce team rules? Even if the star player breaks them?
Should you promise playing time? Will everyone get to play in every game?
Will you guarantee that you will help any athlete who comes to you with a question or advice?
Should you promise to include fun drills in each practice? Once a week?
Can you coach your athletes in the same manner that we would want our own children to be coached?
Will you blame players or take personal responsibility after a loss?
Will you instill a team work ethic?
Can you guarantee that certain fundamentals will be taught? Will they be taught all season long or just early in the season?
Will you recognize opportunities to share "the big picture" with your athletes to help them learn a life lesson as the ups and downs of the season occur?
Will you teach sportsmanship? Even during times of adversity?
Can you provide a detailed scouting report before every game?
Will every practice be well organized?

Maybe you can come up with some issues of your own to consider. But as you can see, many of these questions can get us thinking about our own philosophy as a coach. Some answers are easy, others are not. If you are able to openly hold yourself accountable with your athletes, this will no doubt impress your players. They will gain respect for you. And in sharing these expectations that you have of yourself, this could motivate your athletes to hold each other more accountable to the team rules.