Divided

Nothing will divide a team quicker than a coach who blatantly plays favourites, offers up preferential treatment constantly, possess inconsistent philosophies and strategies.

Players know the pecking order, they know the game, they have been around it long enough to know when they’re not appreciated or valued.

Nothing divides a group quicker than the insecurities of a coach.

Inconsistent coaching and mixed messaging breeds entitlement and divides the room and group especially when the cultural norms and values aren’t well established.

On some occasions it’s a gradual progression which can take months to surface, in other cases it can happen within a matter of days where the coach creates so much confusion from their inconsistent decision making, insecurities, and lack of communication skills.

Players can feel and sense tension and insecurity. Kids and players these days can see right through that stuff. They know when they’re being lied to, they know when there’s no equity.

This isn’t about playing time, this all stems from situational play.

Having the right players on at the right times.

You see players know the pecking order, but it’s when that pecking order is skewed that’s the when things get highly complicated and confusing.

This is usually when kids lose their confidence, passion and the enjoyment for the game.

Players know when other teammates are going, they know when they’re personally not going, and when it’s time to sit down in favour of someone else and they know when they should be going over the boards more frequently.

The players know, they can see and feel it.

They know full well when the divide started, how it evolved and all the pons being played and manipulated by the coach.

A team that is divided usually is a team searching for an identity.

How do you get a divided team to buy in and play as a collective and cohesive unit?

Well that’s a great question.

I’m sure a lot of people will be divided on that one.