What does it take to be a winning youth coach? Listen in as Luke shares coaching stories and discusses his journey to becoming a successful youth coach.

Luke Dunnuck is married and is father of 6 boys and 1 daughter. He owns a sports facility in Indianapolis called Sparta. He also represents products for Advocare health and wellness.

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Twitter: @SPARTAindy
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Coaching/Leadership Quote

‘Focus on the process not the outcome’ – Butler coach Brad Stevens

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Coaching your own Kid

The more I pressured him, the more rebellious he got. Have an assistant help coach your kid.

My ‘Cringe’ Moment

The fear of failure can make it a ‘me vs. the other coach’ scenario. When you are playing chess and you are using kids as the pawns – the lack of priorities quickly reveals itself. Luke revealed a story of over-reacting and having to apologize to the child and parents.
Don’t go overboard trying to instill toughness

Coaching AH-HA Moment

Focus on the process not the outcome – a lesson learned from Coach Brad Stevens from Butler

Teaching Children & Keeping it Fun

Be at the kid’s level physically – take a knee so you’re not talking down to them. Stand at their side so you’re standing with them instead of in front of them.
Tell the kid you believe in him.
Have to rep the fundamentals and have a structured, organized practice. Work from the feet to the head and pick one thing to improve and perfect. Then celebrate every little step accomplished!

Coaching Resources

Google!
Talk to successful coaches in your league – coaches love to share

Discipline

If I tell you once – then it’s my fault as the coach. If I tell you twice, it’s still my fault in communication. But if I have to tell you 3 times – whose fault is that?
Ask questions before making judgments

Reward, Recognition, and Teambuilding

His biggest motivator has been Helmet Stickers. Tough play – can get a ‘red-eye’ skull and cross-bones sticker.
Leadership award each week – ‘Who is serving the team?’ The trophy pays around each week.
Pitbull award – Physical play
HUGE IDEA – In parent team meeting – Have parents visualize them breaking a team rule – by you treating them like they just violated that rule.
This team is not just about the kids – it’s about the kids, the coaches, the parents – we are all in this together to have a great experience and show character.

Inspiring Story

‘Kids are candles to be lit not vessels to be filled’
Christopher – was afraid of contact – then in one practice made a great hit and earned a red-eye sticker- he cried from joy on the spot and after that he had a new swagger and confidence
Hinge Moments – ‘The Hinge of Mental Toughness’ – Moments that turn your life around

Winning

Winning should be a goal – but it is not the scoreboard – winning is executing every play
If it is a competitive travel team – the key is setting the expectation of what is going to determine playing time

 The One that Got Away

4th grade Raiders vs the Colts – Running the ball at will, up 2 TD’s, about to score 3rd – throws the ball and returned for a pick six. Things fell apart from there.
The immortal words of Dr. Phil: ‘It ain’t about you’

 Coaching/Leadership Motivation

Quote: ‘Focus on the process not the outcome’
Dale Carnegie: ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ – the story ‘Father Forgets’ is timeless

Parting Advice

Look at coaching as an opportunity to be significant in the lives of the kids and the parents that are part of that team
Don’t be that kid’s last football coach

Interview Links

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