Forging leaders in the weight room & Defining the role The Squad Leader Forging leaders in the weight room & Defining the role

Why Squad Leaders? All coaches want leaders on their teams Never put players in a position to lead. (develop skills) Builds a team of coaches Self-facilitating a standard and creates a culture of accountability. Creates well-rounded individuals Applicable to life outside of sports & the weight room.

Squad Leader’s Responsibilities Responsible Accountable for what you do or fail to do. Show that you Care Ensure teammates clearly understand what they must accomplish and goal for the day See that the team and its individuals are set up and successful (on time/fueled). Provide struggling teammates with the resources/encouragement to overcome the challenge. Know your Teammates Provide the necessary guidance, assistance, and supervision necessary to individuals to better perform their duties and achieve success. Squad Leader’s Responsibilities

Squad Leader’s Responsibilities Build Squad Unity Accountable for individual/team conduct and maintaining the standard Foster an environment where teammates feel comfortable relying on each other for assistant and advice (freshman/transfers) Lead by Example Hold yourself to a standard that you would have others maintain when they fill your roll. Cultivate Trust and Respect Leaders past and present must work together to advise, assist, and learn from each other. Strive for Excellence Identify weak areas and strive to improve them. Squad Leader’s Responsibilities

Coach’s Responsibility Communicating and executing the goal. Coaches are responsible for how well the team performs their mission. Establish and communicate a clear reference of expectations. Will not communicate how to do your job. (Facilitate development) Establish and communicate a clear reference of standards Coach’s Responsibility

Clear Reference of Expectations 1# expectation should always be accomplishing the goal for the day. High variance in expectations. Simple, clear, and concise. Hard copy (I didn’t know I had to do that) Must not communicate how to perform expectations (facilitate development). Clear Reference of Expectations

Player’s Responsibilities Hold The Line – Maintain the Standard. Control what you can control 11 Things that require ZERO talent Understanding the role of the Squad Leader Be on time Work Ethic Effort Body Language Energy Attitude Passion Being coachable Doing extra Being Prepared Player’s Responsibilities

10-15 min pre-lift/practice meeting with all necessary leadership present. Communicating the goal to leadership. Provide the HOW. Discuss the specifics of lift/practice. (the flow/modifications/etc …) Set the squad leader up for success. Action Plan (AP)

Setting the Squad Leader Up for Success Set up. Provide the plan and the tools (hard copy). Provide a window of time to address the team. Have patience.

5-10 minute post lift/practice meeting with all necessary leadership present Check the ego (Extreme Ownership, 2015) “ Ego clouds and disrupts everything: the planning process, the ability to take good advice, and the ability to accept constructive criticism. Often, the most difficult ego to deal with is your own.” Feed back loop What went right? What went wrong? What can the squad leader do better? What can we as the coaches do better? Improvement Plan (IP)

Works Cited https://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topi cs/nco_duties/duties-responsibilities-authority-of-nco.shtml https://www.usna.edu/Training/_files/documents/References/1C%20MQS% 20References/Squad%20Leader%20Handbook%202014- 2015%20FINAL_30JUL14.pdf Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, Extreme Ownership, 2015.