The Golden Whistle Summary by Aaron Blatch
Jim Burson’s “Big Word Offense”
As a teacher and coach, one of my goals each summer is to read a variety of books that will help me improve. One book that caused me to reflect on what it means to coach was The Golden Whistle from Jim Burson. Coach Burson’s novel is a work of fiction, chronicling the relationship between the veteran Coach Faylor and Little K, an aspiring young coach. However, much of Burson’s own coaching philosophy is evident throughout the book.
While The Golden Whistle contained many great concepts, there is one idea in particular that I will bring to my program. Coach Burson writes about “The Big Word Offense,” and asks coaches to examine the words that they use: “How would you describe your coaching? I want to know what words you would use. How will you describe your players? Are they big words – positive and uplifting – or small words – negative and degrading? Do you swear a lot? Do you demean the players? How do you speak to the parents?”
Coach Burson believes that the words we use with our players have a major impact. He states, “Our words reflect what is really in our heart.” He goes on to encourage coaches to have a word for each day and a word for the year.
There are several ways that I will take this advice and use it in my own program. First, I will reflect upon the words that I use with my players. I would like to begin filming segments of our practices. One of the things I will look for when I review practice film is what kind of message my words are sending. Am I clear? Am I positive enough? How can I improve? My hope is that this will help me become a better communicator. I will also use a word of the day for each day of our season. I plan to add a twist to Burson’s suggestion. Each day at school, I will tell the word of the day to one player on my team. It will be that player’s job to share this word with every other team member. During our pre-practice warm-up/stretching work, I will ask one player for the word. This will lead to a brief conversation on the importance of the word as players stretch. If the player I call upon does not remember the word of the day, the team will have a consequence. I like this format because it allows my players to take responsibility for sharing the day’s word with others. It also allows players to communicate with each teammate on a daily basis.
By considering their “Big Word Offense,” coaches can improve their communication skills and help their players see the world differently. For other great nuggets of information, I encourage other coaches to read The Golden Whistle. Please comment any other book suggestions.
Coach Aaron Blatch is entering his 9th season as assistant coach at his alma mater, Southern Local High School in Salineville, OH. Coach Blatch has coached junior high and junior varsity teams, and runs the school’s K-6 program. During his tenure, the Indians have achieved the three best seasons in school history, and his youth program has allowed players to develop their skills throughout the year beginning in kindergarten.
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