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Don't ever ask a player to do something he doesn't have the ability to do. He'll just question your ability as a coach, not his as an athlete.
Lou Holtz
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Interpretation

What this quote means

A coach should only ask players to perform tasks they are capable of, otherwise their credibility may be doubted.

This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding the capabilities of individuals in a leadership position. It highlights that a leader, in this case a coach, must carefully consider what they ask of their team members; if they set unattainable expectations, it reflects poorly on their own leadership skills rather than the abilities of the team members.

Themes

LeadershipCoachingAbilityExpectationsCredibilityTeam

In practice

Example use cases

Coaches can use this quote during a team meeting to emphasize realistic goal setting.

More from Lou Holtz

How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser.
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You were not born a winner, and you were not born a loser. You are what you make yourself be.
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Don't tell your problems to people: eighty percent don't care; and the other twenty percent are glad you have them.
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I'd say handling people is the most important thing you can do as a coach. I've found every time I've gotten into trouble with a player, it's because I wasn't talking to him enough.
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Coaching is about helping young people have a chance _x000D_ to succeed. There is no more awesome responsibility _x000D_ than that. One of the greatest honors a person can have _x000D_ is being called 'Coach.'
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Everyone goes through adversity in life, but what matters is how you learn from it.
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