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Never measure the height of a mountain until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was. - Dag Hammarskjold

Last time I wrote about the Hedgehog and the Fox.  That is the Greek parable, about how the fox may know many things but he can't beat the hedgehog, because the hedgehog knows one thing - very well.

I wrote about BHAGs, Three Circles and  clarity of purpose.  But one word I didn't write - and one word I don't recall seeing in Good To Great - is Excellence.  I think excellence gets a bad rap, especially in youth sports circles.  Often it's associated with driven, overbearing coaches, out-sized expectations and grim determination. But excellence should be a source of pride and excitement. 

We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle

But giving your team the gift of excellence seems daunting.  Most of us didn't play our sport at the highest levels, so we weren't exposed to great coaching.  But that doesn't doom you to mediocrity!  You too can run a great team.

1. Follow the Hedgehog Principle (No, not the Sweathog Principal)
2. Catch the kids doing something right - especially away from the action
3. Make practice count — don't waste time, keep the kids moving in practice

Focus is key, but you have to focus on the right things.   Use the modified Three Circles I wrote about last time to help you figure out where to concentrate, then implement your ideas.  Your team will be the best in the(ir) world in no time!