Be Better by Being Different

Most coaches rely on three familiar strategies: recruiting better athletes, developing players, and “trusting the process.” All of these strategies matter, but, in a copycat world, using them the same way as everyone else won’t move your program forward.

To illustrate, list the top programs in your sport. If your team isn’t on that list, here’s the reality: You won’t catch others by copying what they do. Every team is working hard. Everyone is improving fundamentals. The difference is that the top programs are doing these things with more resources, deeper staffs, and superior talent. Imitation is a zero-sum game…and the math isn’t in your favor.

So, if you want to separate your program, you have to be different.

Three Common Strategies (Reimagined)

1. Recruiting Better Athletes. Everyone wants better athletes. Instead of chasing the same players, redefine what “better” means. Recruit different athletes — players who others overlook because they don’t fit the traditional measures of talent but who are ideal for YOUR program. That’s where competitive advantage lives.
2. Player Development. Every program develops players. Separation comes from developing the team member, and doing this more deliberately and faster than your competitors. With so many new athletes joining teams each season, team development can’t be left to chance. Coaches and staff must be clear on the standards that define their programs, intentional about reinforcing those standards within their position groups, and accountable for addressing behavior not just performance. That is, player development goes beyond tactics and technical instruction. True development requires deliberately teaching and reinforcing the behaviors that drive excellence: teamwork, discipline, and accountability. When those behaviors are consistently modeled, coached, and demanded, off-the-field growth shows up where it matters most…on the field.
3. Trusting the Process. “Trust the process” isn’t enough. Know the process. Measure it. Track what actually drives results. Top programs can hide inefficiencies with superior athletes and resources; you can’t. So make clarity and precision your edge.

Bottom Line

Hard work is required…but it’s not enough. Doing the same things as everyone else won’t get you where you want to go.

Redefine recruiting. Elevate development. Measure your process. Be better by being different, and your program will stand apart from the competition.

Be Better by Being Different was originally published in Horizon Performance on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.