As a coach, have you ever felt like you’re talking, but your players just don’t get it? You’re giving them the right instructions, but the message doesn’t seem to stick. It can be frustrating, but there’s a reason for this: a spoken truth is temporary, while discovered truth is permanent.
Here’s what I mean:
When you tell a player not to stare down the teammate they’re passing to, that’s a spoken truth. It’s important—it’s what coaches are supposed to do. But more often than not, that advice won’t truly stick until the player experiences the impact of that mistake firsthand.
Discovered Truth Happens Through Experience:
1. The Turnover Lesson: A player stares down their teammate, telegraphing the pass, and turns the ball over. The frustration of that moment helps them realize why your advice matters.
2. The Success Moment: After multiple turnovers, they finally look off the defender and complete a pass. That moment of success reinforces the behavior you’ve been teaching.
Why Discovery Matters
As coaches, we often want to shield our players from mistakes. But in doing so, we may deprive them of the moments that lead to real growth. Mistakes can be the turning points players need to internalize the lessons we’re trying to teach.
Instead of working to avoid mistakes, I intentionally set up situations where players are likely to reach a discovery moment. It’s not about letting them fail; it’s about creating an environment where they can learn from the experience and grow.
The Takeaway: Spoken truth plants the seed, but discovery grows the roots.
Next time you feel the urge to jump in and stop a mistake, consider stepping back and letting the player figure it out. The lesson they uncover on their own will stick far longer than anything you tell them.
Let’s keep creating opportunities for players to discover truths on their journey to becoming better.
— Reid Ouse
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