|| FEATURE

The following is an excerpt from the new book by Jay Martin titled “ Lessons From the Best Coach : Develop a Winning Team Culture That Lasts ”

“ The philosophy of ‘ Don ’ t sweat the small stuff ’? Yeah , that was never his philosophy .” – Jim Swartz , said about Bill Belichick

“ If you think small things don ’ t matter , think of the last game you lost by one point .” – Anonymous

Do you know what the difference is between good teams , players or organizations and great teams , players or organizations ? The great ones do the little things . The great ones do little things that other teams or players either can ’ t do , or more likely , won ’ t do . Players don ’ t change when they walk on the field . If they don ’ t do the little things off the field , they won ’ t do the little things on the field ! It is simple . And little things equate to big success .

For example , if I see a player walk past a piece of trash without picking it up , we have a problem . What is the player thinking ? I don ’ t have to pick up trash , let someone else pick it up ! In the game , that same player will not track back 50 yards to defend . I don ’ t have to defend , let someone else defend ! It ’ s the little things that make a huge difference .

In my experience , many incoming freshmen have trouble with this concept . They are all good players in club or high school . They didn ’ t have to do the little things to make themselves and the team better . Someone else covered for them . Often , early in the season when we are moving goals or picking up the gear , these players “ hide .” They let someone else do the work . That must be stopped immediately . It happens every year .

This chapter is about the little things that we do in the OWU program that most programs don ’ t , can ’ t or won ’ t do . And it offers some ideas about the little things in the game of soccer on and off the field .

My current assistant tells this story about his first year with the program .

“ We lost 4-1 to a big rival . We didn ’ t play well . After the game I was shocked because he did not talk about the game . He told the team they were not doing the job in the locker room . The sinks were dirty from washing cleats . The trash had not been emptied . The floor was a mess . The players lockers

32 | Soccer Journal were unkempt . We were not doing the little things that create success . Just like the locker room , we did not do the little things on the field to be successful . He told the players that you don ’ t change when you walk on the field . If you don ’ t do the little things off the field , you won ’ t do them on the field ! They got the point . The locker room was cleaned and kept clean for the rest of the season , and we immediately won 10 in a row ! The little things are important !”

The coaching staff and players never tell each other what to do . We always say please and thank you . Ok guys , please help me move the goals . Thanks . Often the coaching staff will help move the goals . This shows the team we are all in this together . The coaching staff is not autocratic . If we demonstrate working together , the trust and credibility of the staff is enhanced . The coaching staff help with all the chores . We wash clothes . Sweep the floor . Pick up the gear . We are all in this together .

Fergus Connelly in his book “ Game Changer ” talks about the little things . When the whistle blows to start a soccer game , chaos immediately ensues . The outcome of the game can turn on one single event in 90 minutes . A missed penalty kick . A shot over the goal . A bad decision on a breakaway . A game can turn on any of those things . Coaches look at the outcome of a game and can only guess at why the outcome was what it was . The game is too complex to see if one event caused the result .

Focusing on the little things off the field will help the players develop a “ little things mindset .” Make sure the serve on a corner kick is perfect . Look before you get the ball to help improve decision-making . When a teammate makes a bad pass to you , simply give a thumbs up and a “ my bad ” comment .