Who is Your Coach?

Scenario: A group of friends are sitting around aDs to set up in and when players can go in and
table one night over dinner and they all talk aboutwhen they sit. Likewise, at The Ohio State
how much they miss playing basketball (or softballUniversity, Jim Tressel is the man and all players
or football or any team sport) and decide to getlisten to what comes out of his mouth.
a team together.Rec leagues are a little different. Since there is
One of the guys volunteers to call around tonobody who has the full time responsibility to lead
different places to find the league that is best forthe squad, and for the most part all players will
them, and sign them up. He collects the moneyhave the same basic knowledge of the sport as
and sends in the correct forms to theanyone else, a decision should be made prior to
commissioner of the league.the start of the season on who will make the
This same guy goes to the manager's meeting totough calls.
hear the rules.Maybe it is the guy who set the league up.
He gets an email from the commish and sendsMaybe it is the best player.
everyone on the team a link to their onlineMaybe someone on the team has coaching
schedule, so that everyone has the information.experience.
Fast forward to the first game. This team, madeOr maybe you choose the most outspoken
up of a group of friends, is down by a few pointsmember of the team to lead.
with a few minutes left.Whatever your decision, every team needs a
Seeing that the aforementioned guy made all theleader to take charge. There will be times that
plans, did all the leg work, and fronted all thethis person is commended, but there may also be
money, does that make him the manager?times he is chastised. So whoever you choose,
Does he have play/sit authority over the rest ofmake sure they can not only be objective in their
the team?decisions, but also strong enough to bench best
Can he select which D to play?friends, if the setting isn't right. They should also
In organized team sports there is a clear cuthave a strong working knowledge of the sport,
voice of direction. For example, at the Universityso that they can make the educated choice that
of Missouri, Mike Anderson is the coach andis best for the team.
instructs his players on what plays to run, whatKeep sporting!