Better Coaching with Luke Gromer

Tree Beeckman joins the podcast again to discuss her book Win Deep and how coaches can build cultures where teams perform at their best and want to stay together. Beeckman explains her culture model, practical approaches to feedback and conflict, and how psychological safety can coexist with high standards and accountability.—RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPSThe Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below!Host or Director interest form:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RYG Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITYClick the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community!📧 Free Newsletter:⁠⁠ ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠📝 Free Podcast Notes:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠⁠ 🤝 Better Coaching Community: ⁠⁠https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about⁠⁠ —GUEST INFOGuest: Tree BeeckmanBrings over 30 years of coaching experience across collegiate institutions including Delta College, Ferris State, Central Michigan, and Western Michigan Universities, following a four-year collegiate softball career at Saginaw Valley State University.Founder of Tree Roots Culture Consulting LLC and co-founder of the TLC Institute for Athletic Coaching Excellence, where she created the nationally recognized Tree Roots Team Culture Model™.Authored Managing Your Culture (2020) and created the Tree Roots Culture Online Program, an in-depth digital learning platform helping coaches intentionally design and influence high-performing cultures.Guest’s Website: https://winningdeep.com/about/ Guest’s book: https://link.amazon/B06fiQJTz —CONTACT USYou can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠—CHAPTERS00:00 What it means to win deep04:08 Success beyond the scoreboard06:17 Culture is environment over time08:38 The three-pronged plug model10:50 Build relationships before standards14:55 Why coaches must learn to receive feedback19:14 Teach athletes conflict through practice23:14 A family feedback loop in action28:50 Go through conflict, not around it33:21 High standards and psychological safety37:12 Accountability without defaulting to punishment43:01 Rapid-fire coaching lessons and where to find Win Deep—Topics- Tree Beckman defines “winning deep” as a team wanting one more day together and performing at its best at the end of the season.- Beckman says culture is “environment over time” and develops through the many decisions made by coaches, athletes, families, and communities.- Her three-pronged-plug model centers on connection between people, connection to purpose and mission, and standards of behavior, supported by feedback and habits.- Coaches can improve culture by examining what their own choices and incentives are allowing, rather than treating culture as something they can simply dictate.- Beckman argues that receiving feedback well starts with recognizing the courage it takes to speak up, understanding personal triggers, and avoiding defensive explanations.- She recommends small-group conversations and intentional “conflict practice” to give athletes more face-to-face communication reps and reduce conflict avoidance.- Modeling accountability includes naming mistakes, apologizing, and inviting feedback; Beckman shares examples from her work and family life.- Psychological safety does not mean lowering standards: a safe environment can help coaches ask athletes to take bigger risks and meet higher expectations.- Accountability can be consistent and non-punitive: notice behavior, address it respectfully, and keep returning to the standard before small trust-breaking moments accumulate.

Tate Unruh from the Freedom Lab discusses the vital role of identity in athletic and personal performance. He shares practical insights on coaching from a place of authentic identity, helping teams develop a shared sense of purpose, and guiding individuals to discover their true selves to unlock peak performance.—RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPSThe Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below!Host or Director interest form:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RYG Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITYClick the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community!📧 Free Newsletter:⁠ ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠⁠📝 Free Podcast Notes:⁠ ⁠⁠https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠ 🤝 Better Coaching Community: ⁠https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about⁠ —GUEST INFOGuest: Tate UnruhCo-Founder of The Freedom Lab: Helping coaches and athletes perform their best through identity based workFormer Pro Basketball PlayerDriven by his own journey of untangling self-worth from athletic performance; devoted husband and father of five.Guest’s Website: https://www.findthefreedomlab.com/ Guest’s Social Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tate-unruh-m-a-b12ab2a2/ —CONTACT USYou can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠—CHAPTERS00:00 The impact of forcing versus flow in performance01:20 Why performance is rooted in identity02:08 Coaching from experience versus coaching from identity03:22 The story of a coach preparing for interviews with authenticity04:39 Helping athletes and coaches discover their true identity10:14 The importance of receiving true identity from love or God15:43 Using imagery and receiving to uncover identity20:15 The significance of language in defining who you are22:15 Creating team identity through shared fears and values28:41 Transforming team culture with identity and shared purpose34:40 Playing offense versus defense with identity and fear38:44 Tools for coaches to develop and communicate identity—Topics- The role of identity in performance- Coaching from a place of authenticity- Creating a shared team identity- Helping athletes discover their true selves- The impact of fear and false beliefs on performance- Tools for identifying and transforming limiting beliefs- The flow state and authentic self- Practical exercises for team and individual identity development

Darin Keizer and Luke Gromer explore how to set goals for coaches, restore joy in sports, design better practice environments, and align coaching practices with core values to foster growth and transformation.—RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPSThe Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below!Host or Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITYClick the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community!📧 Free Newsletter: ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠📝 Free Podcast Notes: https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe 🤝 Better Coaching Community: https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about —GUEST INFOGuest Name: Darin KeizerAthletic Director at Dordt University and former Athletic Director at Southwest Christian High School for 10 years.Master’s in educational leadership and a doctorate in higher education leadership.Director of Coaching for Transformation, aligning athletic and educational values in Christian schools.Guest’s Website: https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/the-lost-art-of-play-recovering-joy-creativity-and-purpose-in-sports Guest’s Social Links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-darin-keizer-06701b44/ —CONTACT USYou can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠—CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and overview of the episode02:02 The influence of coaching comparisons and standards04:05 Balancing structure and creativity in youth sports06:08 Designing fun and engaging practice sessions09:07 The impact of positive environments on athlete motivation11:21 Gamifying skill development to enhance learning14:34 Aligning mission, vision, and values in athletic departments17:12 The role of best practices and peer learning among coaches19:48 Integrating faith and life lessons into sports practices20:50 Sharing best practices and fostering collaboration among coaches22:25 The Defender Way and the concept of transformation in coaching23:41 Engaging resistant coaches and fostering buy-in26:18 Leading with standards instead of rules in sports culture28:45 The power of habits and standards in achieving excellence31:08 Balancing product and byproduct in coaching outcomes32:16 The importance of a broader vision beyond winning33:41 Helping coaches and staff align with mission and values36:20 The impact of intentional one-on-one meetings with athletes37:46 The significance of relationships and personal connection38:31 Closing remarks and contact information for Darin Keizer

Loren Anderson shares his journey from traditional coaching to a game-based, constraints-led approach that emphasizes autonomy, attention, and decision-making. Discover how shifting coaching paradigms can lead to more joyful, effective, and player-centered sports experiences.—RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPSThe Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below!Host or Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITYClick the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community!📧 Free Newsletter: ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠📝 Free Podcast Notes: https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe 🤝 Better Coaching Community: https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about —GUEST INFOGuest Name: Loren AndersonVeteran coach since 1993, currently serving as Head Varsity Girls Volleyball Coach at Century High School (Hillsboro, OR) and Director of Tualatin Valley Volleyball Club.Utilizes ecological dynamics, the constraints-led approach, motivational interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) to foster player autonomy and adaptability.Writes the Substack Beyond the Drill, where he challenges traditional, drill-heavy practices and encourages representative, highly engaging learning environments.Connect with Guest:Guest’s Website: https://nomoredrills.substack.com/ —CONTACT USYou can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Coach Greg Berge shares his journey in coaching, discussing the evolution of his coaching style, the importance of communication and relationships, and how to engage parents effectively. He emphasizes the significance of conflict as a form of communication and the role of leadership in cultivating a positive team culture. He also discusses the difference between commitments and goals, stressing the value of dedication in achieving success.—RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPSThe Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below!Host or Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITYClick the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community!📧 Free Newsletter: ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠📝 Free Podcast Notes: https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe 🤝 Better Coaching Community: https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about —GUEST INFOGuest Name: Greg Berge30-year veteran in education and athletics, currently serving as a High School Principal and Varsity Boys' Basketball Coach in Lake City, MN.Holds over 370 wins, 11 conference titles, and 3 section titles across 20 years as a head basketball coach.Founder of GB1 Leadership LLC, author of four books, and speaker reaching over 50,000 followers with actionable frameworks on culture and team building.Connect with Guest:Socials:X - https://x.com/GregBerge/status/1922435285264060517 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-berge-42889148/ Website: http://www.gb1leadership.com —CONTACT USYou can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠