Building Character Through Athletics: More Than X’s and 0’s

Coaches everywhere understand the great responsibility they have for developing good character in the lives of those athletes they coach. Coaches can no longer hope their athletes pick up on good character just by being part of an athletic program. It is not even enough to just model good character. Coaches must now be proactive in diligently working to build character into the lives of those under their influence. To adequately build this character, it takes a plan. But what coaches have the time to develop a character program that is primarily aimed at their athletes?Coach Steve Biddison, a veteran in the coaching ranks for over 20 years, has developed an interactive workbook for athletes to work through with their coaches and teammates. In this program, Building Character Through Athletics, 50 character qualities that directly link to being part of an athletic program are examined. Each quality covered has a section that asks the athlete to examine their own selves as it relates to that quality in athletics, academics, and life. Coaches, never before has it been easier for you to teach character to your athletes. You simply give them the reading assignment which takes them no more than 5 minutes to read through and answer the questions. Then at a time you designate (could be at the beginning or end of practice), take about 2-3 minutes to give your players an opportunity to share with their teammates some of their thoughts from the reading. Or you may choose to have them turn in their answers to you. It is your choice. The important thing is that the athletes are given a very simple means of developing good character into their lives without you, the coach, have to figure out how to teach it.