Here are a few ideas from Coach Ploof on what to do to build a successful bowling program.
1. Communication is the key. Communicate with everyone, student athletes, parents, athletic director, proprietor, other coaches and anyone that will listen. Tell everyone how your going to run your program and then (here is the hard part for most coaches) do what you say your going to do, don't alter your plan.
If you say for example that your rule is if a player is late they will not start, you must follow through with this if someone is late, no matter who it is, if your star player is late, bench them. It sets an example for everyone that nobody is better than anyone else, it also sends a message that you will do what you say your going to do.
2. Surround yourself with good people to help.
You can't build a successful program by yourself, you need help, good help. People who all have the same goal as you. If for example you hire a JV coach who doesn't like the way you coach, they will undermine your goal and destroy your program, you need someone who understands what their role is and they must be willing to help. This is where #1 also comes into play, you need to communicate with your help, tell them what you need them to do and show them, don't just expect people to figure it out. One of the best moves I ever made was to hire Scott and Stephanie Gruener to be JV coaches. They are just great people, Scott is an Eagle Scout and they are always willing to help people, they understood what the ultimate goal was and always supported me even if they didn't agree with it, this was very important to our success. They are by far the biggest reason why the Kearsley girls bowling program become one of the best in the state. You also must have full support from your partner and by that i mean your spouse. If your spouse doesn't like you coaching it makes it very difficult to be successful. Your spouse can be your biggest fan, a person to lean on, bounce ideas off of our even your assistance coach. I was very fortunate for years to have my wife as my assistant coach. She was awesome, always supported me and kept me in line and gave me some great advice.
1. Communication is the key. Communicate with everyone, student athletes, parents, athletic director, proprietor, other coaches and anyone that will listen. Tell everyone how your going to run your program and then (here is the hard part for most coaches) do what you say your going to do, don't alter your plan.
If you say for example that your rule is if a player is late they will not start, you must follow through with this if someone is late, no matter who it is, if your star player is late, bench them. It sets an example for everyone that nobody is better than anyone else, it also sends a message that you will do what you say your going to do.
2. Surround yourself with good people to help.
You can't build a successful program by yourself, you need help, good help. People who all have the same goal as you. If for example you hire a JV coach who doesn't like the way you coach, they will undermine your goal and destroy your program, you need someone who understands what their role is and they must be willing to help. This is where #1 also comes into play, you need to communicate with your help, tell them what you need them to do and show them, don't just expect people to figure it out. One of the best moves I ever made was to hire Scott and Stephanie Gruener to be JV coaches. They are just great people, Scott is an Eagle Scout and they are always willing to help people, they understood what the ultimate goal was and always supported me even if they didn't agree with it, this was very important to our success. They are by far the biggest reason why the Kearsley girls bowling program become one of the best in the state. You also must have full support from your partner and by that i mean your spouse. If your spouse doesn't like you coaching it makes it very difficult to be successful. Your spouse can be your biggest fan, a person to lean on, bounce ideas off of our even your assistance coach. I was very fortunate for years to have my wife as my assistant coach. She was awesome, always supported me and kept me in line and gave me some great advice.