Mike Dunlap

Pat Scanlon form Greenwich Country Day has set up some great online coaches clinics. These are my notes from a recent visit with Mike Dunlap - who has coached at just about every level all over the world.

• Prioritize what you want, then throw two things away.
• A lot of people think your offense and defense have to be married to each other - I don't believe that.
• What are the characteristics of the best leaders he's been around? 1) Competitive spirit - they have to have "some serious dog in them." 2) At some point you are going to ask your leaders to give something up - they have to be unselfish enough to do that. 3) They will have to be able to fight through discouraging times.
• As far as a leader goes, "there is nothing better than someone who shows up the same way every day."
• Kids don't come into your gym as leaders. I don't believe it. You have to develop it.
• Don't try and make a leader out of someone who doesn't want to do it - "Why is everyone trying to jam something down his throat that he doesn't want to eat?"
• Hunt out the things your players do well and make sure you point them out to them.
• Developing mental toughness - 1) Use peer pressure - surround them with 1 or 2 mentally tough teammates. 2) Have physical practices - start gradually and build it up.
• To overcome adversity - make sure you add unpredictability to your practice plan.
• "When things are going bad, that's when coaches need to be great."
• On taking the next step as a coach - "I always felt that high-risk meant growth."
• Taking over a new organization - Being on time is non-negotiable. So many bad organizations have issues with time. Time is extremely valuable.
• Have a blue print, and fit that blue print to the overall culture of the organization.
• How do you grow as a coach? Make sure you simplify and prioritize. Then walk through the door and try it.