TEAM RULES AND DISCIPLINE:
Creating a Positive Experience

Few things are more important than the discipline established on the team by the coach.  Coaches will have both written and unwritten rules all of which collectively make up their philosophy.  When those and other rules are broken, the disciplining of the player is critical.  ABW offers the following as a set of principles to use as the foundation for discipline.

 1.      Look in the Mirror.  Coaches should understand that most teams are a reflection of their coach.  Perhaps the single most important thing a coach can do is model the values and behavior they expect from their players: discipline, hard work, commitment, respect for the other, and so on.  What you give is what you’ll get.

2.      Start right.  This means that coaches must take the time before or at the beginning of the season to communicate clearly to their players and parents why they coach, what their philosophy, principles, goals, rules and expectations are.  The coach should not just explain what the rules are, but why they are important as rules. The coach can give possible examples to the team of inappropriate behaviors for both practice and game situations, and of how they might be handled.  If this is done effectively, this can help the team can gain a sense of unity and purpose.  If a player is not present for this meeting, it should be communicated to this player as soon as possible in the presence of the whole team.

3.      Get buy-in.  When the rules are established team members should be given an opportunity to make suggestions and to comment on them.  When young athletes are given the opportunity to be a part of the process, they will have ownership.  Coaches should be open to the possibility of adding, changing or even eliminating rules.

4.      Limit the number of rules.  There is a value to simple hard and fast rules: “if you drink you will be kicked off the team,” but since it is impossible to think of every possible scenario, we think it is better to limit the number of rules and handle each situation individually.  Rules should be relevant, fair, consistently applied and quickly enforced.

5.      Don’t abuse physical punishments.  The most common punishment is undoubtedly running laps; we’ve all heard that frustrated voice say, “Jones, take five!”  For minor issues this may be a simple solution, but generally speaking, we believe that it is better not to use the physical punishments, but to find tasks which accomplish something positive: pick up trash, clean up the locker room, paint the bleachers, etc. 

6.      Don’t make the problem smaller than it is.  There is a temptation for some coaches who are eager to create a positive environment to want to overlook a minor incident, especially if it is something that happens early in the season.  Failure to act, however, will send the wrong message, and will probably result in other attempts to stretch the rules. 

7.      Don’t make the problem bigger than it is.  One of the risks in disciplining a player is that the punishment will create its own problem.  When coaches allow their emotions to control their reaction mistakes can be made.  Or, when a player is suspended that punishes not just the individual but the whole team, which could be very upsetting to the team, thereby creating a different problem.  While there is a value in understanding the responsibilities of being on a team, and at times of suspending or removing a player from the team, it may be that there is another more appropriate punishment.

8.      Look at the total picture.  When there is a discipline problem is it often symptomatic of a larger problem: a divorce, the death of a pet, or perhaps discouragement at not having much playing time.   Good coaches will have the wisdom to perceive this and meet privately with the player and/or the parents or other teachers to try to work through these issues.

9.      Treat each person the same and be consistent.   One of the quickest ways to lose the respect of the team and to disrupt the spirit of the team is to be inconsistent in discipline or to show partiality toward one or more athletes. Once an athlete has been punished, move on, forgive and forget.

10.  Remember the Code.  The Code for Living provides the foundation for any coach’s philosophy.  To it can be added the coach’s rules and expectations as well as the ways in which coaches will handle problems.  Referring to it regularly and using positive reinforcements for the correct behaviors will help build and reinforce a positive team experience and lead to fewer problem situations.