The Individual Player Meeting
A team is only as strong as the people on it.
The Individual Player Meeting
The individual player meeting is not common practice in Strength & Conditioning. Most coaches won't invest the time to do it, but it is extremely valuable to both the coach and the player. A team is only as strong as the people on it. Every January we turn the page on last year; we move on to the next year, where the process starts with the players.
The S&C Coach may be the most impactful relationship in an athletes’ career. It is important to invest the time to get to know our players. Sitting down with 100-plus individuals is time consuming, especially when you consider a meeting averages 20 minutes. That is 40 hours of meetings during one of the busiest times of the year. But it will pay off. Making connections with athletes is the most important thing we do.
The early offseason is a crucial time to sit down individually with the entire roster; however, it should not be the first time you meet with an athlete one-on-one. Individual meetings should be a standard step in the onboarding process for all players, including first-year students when they arrive on campus and all players entering the program from the transfer portal.
The transfer portal presents its own unique challenges. It is possible that a player could be entering their second or third college football program. Players often enter with preconceived notions and experiences.
Meeting Structure
First, we discuss the following areas addressing current status, progress and goals.
Medical History
Functional Movement
Corrective Exercise
BW and Body Comp
Performance Indicators (10/VJ/COD)
Strength Numbers
Once we cover the basics we move into the most valuable part of the meeting. All athletes enter with varied expectations, backgrounds, and experiences. It's about getting players to talk about their experiences so we can identify, "Hey, how do I best approach this player?" That's what it’s all about. Provide them with questions leading into the meeting that will generate quality conversation—open-ended questions. They don't need to be super specific; you just want to prompt them with questions that will generate a dialogue. Some questions we have found to be effective…
Who has had the greatest influence on your life? Why?
What would you like to do when you are done playing?
Can you give an example of a coach that you had a great connection with? Why?
What style of coaching do you respond best to?
Can you talk about a time when you faced adversity?
When you have a problem, who are you comfortable turning to?
Who is a player you admire? Why?
What are your long-term football goals?
What are your short-term goals for this season?
Do you have any off-field concerns moving into this calendar year?
What is one habit you would like to establish or eliminate this year?
How can we help you be more effective?
What is the ONE word you would like your teammates use to describe you this year?
Is there anything we have not covered today that you would like to discuss?
When the player enters his meeting, they have put some thought into the questions. "What do I want to talk about? What do I want the coach to know about me?" We need to listen intently, but it is not a one-way conversation; it's a two-way conversation. We, as coaches, must be honest with our players. There are coaches who are going to tell kids what they want to hear. You need to be the coach that tells them what they need to hear. It's our responsibility, with the years of experience that we have, to help players understand what they should be doing daily. These crucial conversations can serve as a catalyst for the positive changes players need to embark on a successful path.
Wrap up
There's fluidity in rosters in college football. Freshmen are entering early. Players are joining the team through the transfer portal. The sooner we sit down with an athlete and talk about clear expectations, get to know them, and open clear lines of communication, the quicker we can build positive relationships with athletes leading to optimal performance.
Individual meetings are a powerful tool that can lead to improved performance, stronger relationships, and a more cohesive team environment. One-on-one conversations help coaches better understand players’ needs and assist them in reaching their full potential, both on and off the field. They encourage open dialogue where players feel more comfortable sharing aspirations, concerns, or personal challenges that may impact their performance. Effective communication requires honest feedback from both sides in a safe environment. Players need to know that you care about their success, that you have their back, and that you believe in them.
You will never regret spending quality one-on-one time with your athletes, as it is one of the most valuable steps in maximizing individual development while fostering a cohesive team environment.