Answer

A Plan of Action for the New Coach Team Position

As the new basketball team coach, developing an action plan is key in ensuring successful coaching that will foster a title win for the team. January is often a good time for individuals to reflect, make resolutions and set goals. Hence, to some extent, January offers one with a fresh start to assess the current situation of the team and develop a coach approach mindset that will help build relationships with the team and the staffs. This paper presents an analysis of a case involving a newly appointed head coach who is supposed to lead a basketball team to victory in the coming fall season. The paper outlines a plan of action for the new head coach that will help build a stronger basketball team.

Replacing a coach with a great legacy may be quite a challenge, especially when it comes to convincing the team of your potential and selling your perspective. As the new head coach, I am well aware that I have to develop a coach action plan that will help in identifying the specific areas that need to be improved. According to Jones, a coaching action plan helps develop SMART targets (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) for the team members (201). Hence, my success highly depends on my assessment of the culture of the team and the impacts of the necessary changes I make. Developing a winning team culture requires one to extensively assess the team’s culture by reviewing the important values, behaviors, and beliefs held by the team. The previous coach, the school staff and the team members are some of the best sources I can use to get a clear picture of the team’s culture. Assessing the team’s culture will help me rate its performance, identify gaps and be aware of key things such as how the team handles setbacks, team conflicts or change. A successful assessment brings up the creation of my team’s culture which must include all team members since they are the ones who will take ownership and put it into practice. Regardless, creating my team’s culture depends on how I build my credibility with the athletes.

As the new head coach, I know that proper proactive communication with the team members is a basic start that nurtures an everlasting relationship. In our first meeting, I must ensure that I address my perspectives and expectations in a clear and upfront manner.  Also, demonstrating great empathy by lending a listening ear to the athletes is crucial in building trust. Consistency builds respects and helps establish relationships that go beyond ones’ athlete career (Jones 206). Further, inspiring athletes by giving them the tools to build their confidence such as appreciating and recognizing efforts helps build trust. Therefore, I plan on demonstrating consistency and establishing self-confidence among athletes. Above all, trusting my knowledge and demonstrating flexibility when it comes to adjusting to new ideas and advances in basketball will assist me build credibility and trust from the team.

Other than building trust, it is important to plan on ways to strengthen a team. Identifying the specific area for development will help me establish a coaching action plan that will cater for each individual athlete’s needs. As the new head coach I need to be sure whether I am coaching for skills, for performance or for development. Following the history of the team, I am aware that the team is expected to participate and win in the coming season in the fall.  Since it is a new team, I believe that coaching will include all three areas whereby I will teach new and better skills and perspectives, focus on guiding athletes to improve performances on their respective positions and explore on ways to enhance the athletes’ competences and goals. I believe that a strong team is one where each member is aware of their roles and works towards achieving a shared vision or goal.

Finally, it is important to ensure that all your staffs are included and made to feel as part of the new team. First, I will ensure that I hire staffs with whom I share a common goal and vision for the team. To ensure that my employees feel as an invaluable part of the team, I will ensure that I indorse their professional development by allowing them to be innovative and regularly motivating them to keep working on their career goals. I plan to promote the general wellbeing of my staff by showing utmost concerns on their personal as well as job-related needs. For instance, if an employee enjoys swimming, I will show support by recommending him or her to participate in swimming competitions. Also, treating staff as individuals by demonstrating empathy and addressing them as peers helps build strong staff relationship.

Therefore, as the new head coach of the basketball team, I plan to strategize on building a strong team relationship by establishing credibility with the athletes and fully supporting the wellbeing of my staff members. I also plan on directing the entire team towards achieving a common goal that will help us succeed in the coming seasons.