Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Players BEWARE - Coach Scott Fields

Players BEWARE - Coach Scott Fields




I am writing this post to educate and bring awareness to a huge business of deception.
I hope this post helps Players, Parents and Coaches in their quest to assist their players find opportunities to advance their careers. This is something that has upset me for years.  I hear of stories that brings tears to my eyes.
The High School State Tournaments are underway. The Colleges are coming into Conference tournaments.
Players, Parents and Coaches need to be aware of the many scam artist that are out there to prey on the dreams of young athletes. These scam artist thrive on the dreams and hopes of athletes looking to go to the next level.
The later in the process, the more desperate individuals become, the more desperate you become, the more money you will spend in hopes of it working out.
High School Players are looking to go to College at multiple levels. NJCAA, NAIA, NCAA 1,2,3.
College players are looking to take their talents to the Professional level. Minor Leagues, FIBA.


I have been in the coaching industry for many years and at all levels. I have been a Pro Coach and won FIBA Championships. I have also had great success at the college level with National ranked teams. Things have changed for sure.
Social media is a tool for these leaches to prey on our athletes.


These SCAM artist are great, they are creative, they have a criminal mind. they look professional, they create websites, they spend money on letterhead. They sale you their network of college coaches, they sale you on their network of professional scouts. they dazzle you with made up success rates on the percentages of athletes they obtain scholarships for.

Coaches of AAU teams have their network of friends for sure, the obvious issues of NCAA investigation's proves this point.  High School Coaches seem to have less control of this recruiting process. Parents don't know what they don't know.
Parents, I get it, you just want to help your child,  YOU ARE FRESH FOR THE TAKING to these SCAM artist you are their target market. They will show you these nice typed up bio's obtain a nice photo, they type up your stat lines. they provide links to video. they will gladly take your money.


Allow me to assist you or at least bring awareness to you. Be Careful ! Ask Questions ? Do your research before you waste your hard earned dollar on certain scouting services, camps, exposure camps, All Star games, just to name a few.
I have seen many players loose money, they might as well throw their money out the window.
I have seen parents pay scouting services and end up with nothing.


Parents, Players, it is your money. Invest it wisely....Don't take your money for rent, money for utilities and hand it to a guy who you don't know well.


Parents be careful with scouting services
Players be careful with exposure camps




  Parents work with your High School Coaches and your AAU Coaches who you have strong relationships with, have them reach out to college coaches for your child.
Parents, stay in your lane, you to can reach out to college coaches to introduce them to your child but again keep healthy boundaries, college coaches don't want an over zealous parent, who tell them how many minuets your son or daughter needs to play. You are only introducing them to your child.
Players you too can reach out to express interest in a Coach, a Program or Institution of higher learning.
Be persistent, but don't burn a bridge.


Players and Parents you can send e mails to college coaches
look up contact info online.
of course, have vitals Ht. Wt. Reach. Vertical jump.
G.P.A.
Stats
honors, accolades, awards ect.ect.
provide links to game film
highlight videos  are ok, but coaches need to see complete game film to access the skill set.
anyone can look good in highlights.
also with highlight films choose your music to accompany video carefully.
"You don't get a second chance to make a good first impression"
coaches have access to smart phone, send links. it is all at their finger tips.
make it simple for them.


Players and Parents you are at risk with scouting services, I will say there are a few great ones for sure.
Some College coaches use top scouting services, make sure they are reputable.


College Players you must be VERY VERY CAREFUL ! when starting the process to go professional.
there are many sharks circling the waters, there are many so called agents who exploit you.
If an agent ask you for money up front..   RUN !
 If a Team says to you, you need to pay for a license for the federation... RUN !
if someone tells you you must Pay to Play...RUN !
Players going Pro, before you pay for a workout, before you pay for a try out camp, before you pay for Open Try Outs.
ask questions.


Who will be present at workout? Who will see the Open Try Out? Who will be present at camp?
Do your due diligence, do your research, Don't believe everything that is being told to you. This is your money, this is your investment, you have the right to ask questions, you have the right to be skeptical.
Take the responsibility to market and promote yourself.
Don't let them sale you on they will send video, Ask who they will send video to ?
tell them you want the copy of the video or video link, then you send out the link yourself.
again research the e mail addresses, look on line, look up contact information and send it yourself.


 Don't let regional reps take money from you up front.
An Agent will make a percentage of a commission off of you signing a contract with a club.




Success is all about relationships. Work with people you have known and trust.
Trust is earned not given.
Don't be exploited in your quest to live a dream.




I hope this helps some of you, because year after year, hundreds of thousands of dollars switch hands to Scam artist.
empower yourself, educate yourself.


I can be reached at
coachscottfields@gmail.com
Twitter@Scott_Fields
Instagram@coachscottfields


My Coach Scott Fields Show
please Like/Follow at
facebook.com/coachsf/


Good Luck to all of you as you advance your careers !
I hope this is a helpful tool for you !






We can start a thread, if you have been scammed you can provide names for others to protect others.
Provide names of services, provide names of false camps
fake contracts from clubs.


Aris Club was a club for years that e mails scam artist were using.
BE CAREFUL..
Lets educate others on these criminal acts !


We all can work together to stop or at least slow this criminal activity. 

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Effective Communication to build a Winning Culture - Coach Scott Fields



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Effective Communication to build a Winning Culture
- Coach Scott Fields



I am a firm believer in the power of communication and I try to take it to another level with effective communication is vital when establishing and sustaining a Winning Culture .
This is a  follow up to the my previous post on "A Positive Paradigm Shift for Coaches"
Coaches by nature are very competitive as are successful businessmen. This competitive nature brings on emotion and passion. We can not allow our emotions to control our intelligence. I am speaking from a male perspective here.  I also believe effective communication  is vital in being successful as husbands and fathers. If we can not effective communicate our needs, our wants and or likes with our wife and kids we will soon be on emotional roller coaster filled with frustrations.

To communicate effectively we must be able to receive and convey our message.
We must always remember to talk with our Audience and not talk at our Audience or individual.. There is a huge difference.
We must keep our message positive and productive. We must not allow emotion to creep in the communication process.
If you are emotional, the message being delivered can be aggressive and many times demeaning and undermining.
Just remember as Coaches and Servant Leaders it is not what we know, it is what is conveyed to empower those to assist them in achieving productive outcomes at the highest levels.

Effective Communication is both verbal and non verbal. Your non verbal skills are as important as verbal skills.

Positive Non Verbal Skills
maintain good posture, if standing, don't slump or slouch maintain good eye contact, lean in to show interest, but do not invade personal space.
Don't be defensive and cross arms in seated or standing position. if seated don't cross legs.
Have zero physical barriers between communicator and listener.
No tenseness, no tight fist or tight pursed lips.
Don't be distracted , stay locked in.
Don't make negative responses when listening
Keep your hands away from face

Verbal Skills
Don't be monotone. 
Maintain a level tone
Observe the listener, see if they are receiving message effectively. 
Does the listener look confused? If yes repeat.
Be clear
Be concise
Keep message short and repeat if needed


It is important not to send mixed messages, don't mix verbal and non verbal cues

Example
You cant be tight fisted and defensive with posture when you tell someone you love them? right?
Also don't pull someone in for a hug then scream and curse in the ear obscenities right?

Effective communicators must also be great listeners
it must be two ways and not always about conveying your message to the person talking message. When we listen we learn. How can we learn if we are the one always talking?

keep it friendly(positive), give two positive thoughts before a corrective thought

Messages must be delivered with Confidence
Your audience will know if you are not confident in what you are conveying. You can be nervous, you cant calm the troops if the general is tense.

Maintain Empathy

Stay Open Minded.
This is productive to learn and listen more about the individual or audience as you are speaking

Respectful keep healthy boundaries

Leave time for Feedback, be willing to accept positive or negative feedback

Always use the proper medium, don't use social media to deliver a personal message
build trust by keeping private things private stay professional

Don't speak about others to others, if there is an issue find solutions before it builds go directly to the individual with an issue address them personally and directly
 
When we effectively communicate we will always be honest.
this even if  the message is not what the listener wants to hear

Stay consistent, we are also building trust as we stay open and honest.
We are constantly earning respect with our open and honest communication.

I also believe that our ACTIONS always speak louder than our words
I will share this pet peeve of mine.
If you say you are going to do something, DO IT !

Success and Greatness is all about communication.
It is a skill, practice your skill sets daily work on effectively communicating daily.

Practice doesn't make Perfect Perfect Practice makes Perfect.

I wish you all the best of luck on this skill set! We are tested and quizzed daily.


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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Brady Holt is our next guest on the Coach Scott Fields show- Coach Scott Fields

Brady Holt is our next guest on the Coach Scott Fields show- Coach Scott Fields


#BradyStrong


Brady Holt has an outstanding story. His journey is one that will inspire all who watch, listen and get to know this special young man.
"I couldn't be more proud to share with the viewers of the Coach Scott Fields show that Brady Holt will be on the show with his Family."

I am inspired and moved by Brady and his story of conviction, courage, and strength in the face of adversity.
I have known Brady since he played with my son at Riverton High School as a member of the basketball Team.
I was moved by his high character, his personality and his passion for sports.
I knew his favorite sport was Football where he was a standout performer.
I new his passion and his future was to serve his LDS Mission and then back to the grid iron.

I will allow Brady and his family to share this moving story.
You will not want to miss his journey.
You will not want to miss his updates.

It brings me so much joy to have him be apart of this show.

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Sunday, February 4, 2018

Visits with former Players, No better feeling - Coach Scott Fields

Visits from former Players, No better feeling- Coach Scott Fields

I had the pleasure to sit and visit with one of my former pro players.
Rene Farias from Venezuela.

Rene and I were together with Guaros de Lara
(see picture below )





5 years later,  we sat and talked about what the future holds, what we accomplished in the past, We talked about our goals.
We talked about the governments of each of our countries. We talked about the memories we made together. We shared many smiles, we shared many laughs.

I cant share with you enough how meaningful it is to stay in contact with my former players.
Rene and I send many text messages back in forth throughout the years.
but, to be able to give him a hug and embrace and  look him in his eyes was simply the best feeling ever.

Rene was a great player, he was coachable, he was hard working. He suffered a serious knee injury the season I was blessed to work with him. He was an asset to our Team.
He is 31 years old now, He has grown as a person. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to work with him on the court.
I am more proud of the person he has become.

Wins/Losses- we shared success no doubt, the personal relationships are what matters most.

I am honored to call this man my friend, Yes, I bought lunch, Rene is my guy. We not only shared a few hours together today (2/3/2018) but I hope he knows and feels I am always here in his corner to help him in anyway.

There is no doubt things change with time. His haircut was clean, my hair is falling out. I have a new look the beard, his gut was not falling out. our bond and love for the game has not changed.
The respect has grown for each other.

I am blessed to have been his Coach Then and Now.




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Friday, February 2, 2018

Be apart of Coachings Positive Paradigm Shift- Coach Scott Fields

Be apart of  Coaching's Positive Paradigm Shift- Coach Scott Fields


I will be the first to share with you this, I am always learning, always growing, always focused on empowering others in the industry.  I myself am far from perfect. I also will tell you, I will not going into another mans home and tell him how to be a father. I also will not going into another coaches locker room and tell him how to coach.

I will confidently share this with anyone who takes to the time read this post.
The following is True !
1) I am always positive. 2) I am always enthusiastic. 3) I believe in the power of positive reinforcement.
I also believe if you would ask and poll any of my former players they will also share with you the same.

I have been blessed, I am luckier than I deserve to have been able to have travel the globe coaching the game I love.

I have been in situations that were very challenging with low budgets. I have also coached top Teams with great budgets for that league. I have started the season with Teams in camp. I have also replaced a number of coaches at mid season who were not meeting expectations. I have always stuck my positive principles to obtain the goals of turning Teams and Franchises around. 

Positive Coaching is a style, a philosophy. Go ahead research it!
It always produced positive results! Always!
I build a culture and brand with this style.

There is a pattern, I am not pointing fingers here at all. I am just stating facts. I am speaking from my own personal experiences and observations.

Positive Coaching produces the following:
           1) Meaningful relationships with the athletes
           2) Builds confidence in your players.
           3) Builds Trust with your players.
           4) Produces positive results.
           5) Is entertaining to spectators
           6) Builds establish a culture
           7) It relaxes players to play with freedom and not in fear of making mistakes.
This is true at all levels, but at youth levels it is huge!


Coaches, trust me when I tell you, Players already know when they make a mistake, They don't need an adult screaming at them to embarrass them in front of crowds, the parents and their peers.  Players don't go on the court intentionally trying to make a mistake. If you want to take a players confidence, Go ahead, yell at them after making a mistake. The following will happen. The body language tells you everything. the shoulders slump, the head goes down, they loose concentration, as they are upset they made the mistake, then a coach yells at them, then they go in the tank. Then one mistake turns into two mistakes as the game is so fast, it is action reaction. 
The Esteem and Egos are already fragile.correct me if I am wrong.
The same goes for coaches who over react to a mistake, a player notices when the coach is upset or disappointed.
Again players want to please their coaches.
Example a players goes up for a layup and misses a wide open, uncontested layup.
If in the corner of the players eye, they see the coach throw his hands up in frustration and disappointment.
Trust me, this action will also cause a young player to loose his confidence.


Coaches, I have seen you.. OWN IT!
I have seen some horrible actions of coaches at AAU National Tournaments, I have seen coaches Yell, Scream, Act a Fool.
You are to lead by example. 
What are you teaching these young kids? 
I do believe in corrective criticism. "What you don't correct, You Accept"
but I believe that if it is delivered with a calm and caring tone you can and will attain the positive outcome you desire.

I have also been around Coaches who Yell, Scream, are demeaning to Players. That Team will quit on a Coach.
They will at some point implode. That Coach will loose his Team.

This is a new age of Sports. They call this the Millennial generation.
You as Coaches must adapt to your Players.

Are you an effective communicator? Do you relate well with your players?
The days of Rants, the Days or Screaming, Yelling Cursing is a thing in the past.

I have been blessed with positive results my entire career. I have coached at the Pro Level and have won Championships by staying positive. I have coached at the college level and the better college teams we always kept it positive. I have coached my son and his teams in AAU.
I remember taking a Team of 6 players down to Vegas.
We finished with 3 players on the floor and won the Championship game because we stayed positive.
(see photo below)






Negative Coaching produces:
                              1) toxic atmosphere
                              2) poor results
                              3) players loosing confidence
                              4) produces poor attitudes
                              5) a loosing culture
                              6) results reflects leadership
                              7) an atmosphere that no one wants to be associated with


Parents this is also important for you. 
                      1)  Be supportive of your athlete. 
                      2) fuel your kids emotional tank with positive support. 
                      3) let the coach,  do his job and coach 
                      4)  Let your kid be a kid.
                      5) don't put added pressure on your child. 
                      6) don't live vicariously through them. 
                      7) know and understand, only a small percentage of athlete go on to become professional athletes. 
                      8) accentuate the positive don't remind them of the negative.

Coaches, accept the Challenge , Be apart of the Positive Paradigm Shift.


Lets teach Life lessons through sport










Coaches, Choose to be a POSITIVE impact on lives, you have a wonderful platform to lead, guide and direct and Mentor.
Positive Coaching is the Paradigm Shift !
Be the Change........




I am available to discuss, speak, lecture, present.
coachscottfields@gmail.com