A very good friend of mine is a highly skilled and respected surgeon. Years ago we played volleyball together and had many hours on long trips to solve most of the world’s problems. Despite that world peace was in the offing I don’t recall any world leaders asking for our solutions.
At length we discussed personal motivation and values that mold philosophies providing guidance for individuals in their respective professions.
One comment he made has stuck with me through the years.
“I have done several hundred gall bladders”, he said, (I assume he meant cutting them out using acceptable surgical procedures.) “To me, each surgery is one of many.” he continued, “But, for the patient it is the only one. I never want to take that single gall bladder for granted.”
He explained to me that prior to each surgery he reviews the chapter on “Hacking Out Gall Bladders Correctly” despite having it virtually committed to memory. His review is basically symbolic but central to his philosophy of treating each patient as an individual.
Coaches work with groups: Teams, tryouts, camps, and clinics. We look out over a sea of young humanity. At times, it is difficult to see the individuals in the mass, each with her or his personal dreams and goals. Yet, the coaches’ decisions, mannerisms, voice inflections, facial expressions, and gesticulations can have huge influence on each individual. Further, one verbal or non-verbal message sent can be received differently by different people.
Coaches have some basic decisions to make regardless of the subject: What is good for the individual and what is good for the team? Are they compatible? If not, which way to go?
Do our coaching philosophies accommodate the individuals’ growth or just winning?
Do our coaching philosophies hold up under the pressure of institutional and personal needs to win when a sacrifice of an individual is imminent? If we don’t have a strong, functional philosophy to guide our decisions, the temptations of the competitive moment can overwhelm an individual’s welfare.
The movie “Hoosiers” is obligatory viewing for any real athletic aficionado. There is one scene that illustrates the coaching dilemma when the competitive moment runs contrary to philosophy.
The Cinderella team, little Hickory High School, is playing in the Regional finals with the winner advancing to State. Indiana did not classify schools by student body numbers so that all schools big and small participated in one all-state play-down. Based on a true story out of the early 1950’s it has its Hollywood moments but, if you are a sappy-sucker like me watching these things, the embellishments enhance the story.
Coach Gene Hackman (actually an actor showing great coaching potential) faces an intense situation where one of his key players opens up a previous wound. Hickory’s bench is pathetically weak. The time is running down, the crowd screaming, the teams separated by a basket. The player comes to the sideline where the volunteer country doctor looks at the wound.
“Patch him up!” Coach Hackman demands.
“I can’t!” says the sawbones.
“PATCH HIM UP! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?”
The doctor cringes and looks for needle and thread, while Hackman looks at the wound then verbalizes his educated diagnosis: “You’re fine. Get back in there.”
The kid eagerly concurs, his pain masked by the adrenaline and intensity of the moment.
Hackman starts to walk away, scratching his head, obviously reconsidering his decision of the moment. He calls a time out, tells the protesting boy to take a seat, and subs in a marginal player. Relieved, the doctor puts away his sewing kit.
The coach’s philosophy kicks in to make a sound judgment for the player’s welfare. Tough call. The good news in this scenario is that Ollie, viewed as the team mascot and last option, goes in and, in the waning seconds, drops in two free throws to win.
He probably had some help from Hollywood
Each coach must decide in a reflective, non-competitive, moment, on a philosophy he or she can live with even in the direst circumstances. Is your philosophy compatible with institutional administrators’ and the community’s expectations? We are never tested in theory discussions. The real test of our coaching philosophy comes when program results are on the line. How does yours hold up?
Think about it: If you are having a gall bladder or some other organ removed you want a surgeon who is guided by a sound philosophy. Don’t you?
Bill Neville
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