HOLMEN — Jason Lulloff is always looking for a way to improve the athletic department at Holmen High School.
So when the activities director saw that the Green Bay Packers were making available Levi Nelson for a presentation on the Jerry Lynch concept of Way of Champions, he pounced.
Every school in the state was given the chance to host Nelson, but only two were selected. Holmen, after reading Lulloff’s application and reasoning, was one of them.
That brought Nelson to the Fine Arts Center for one 90-minute presentation for parents and another 90-minute presentation for coaches. The point of the presentations was creating a positive atmosphere for athletes.
“I was searching online for opportunities to put somebody other than myself who has a little more knowledge base in building a tighter athletic community,” Lulloff said before the presentation to about 40 coaches from more than 10 of Holmen’s programs Wednesday night. “We do a great job with our kids, and I truly believe that.
“Our community is one of the most passionate there is for sports. I just always think there is a better way to do things.”
Nelson talked to parents about their roles in their athlete’s participation and how to best communicate with them before and after competing.
He discussed the four roles in an athletic contest — that of athlete, coach, official, parent — and how each participant fits into one and only one of those categories.
Nelson’s focus with coaches was more on communication than anything else. He had each coach write down five reasons why their favorite coach younger is their favorite.
By separating into one column with answers that fell under communication and one that demonstrated knowledge of the game, coaches quickly saw by a 3-to-1 margin that positive communication is what stuck with them over the years.
“Sports psychology and culture is more important than the technique stuff,” Holmen girls wrestling coach Carl DeLuca said. “I want to make our connections stronger.”
DeLuca liked the concept of gathering players in a circle to allow for eye contact and encourage discussion and attentiveness and some general concepts that included regular compliments for things well done.
The Rule of One, as it was presented, encouraged coaches to break down players into smaller groups and assign assistant coaches to help where needed to make sure every athlete gets at least one positive comment each day.
Boys basketball coach Ryan Meyer said one exercise where Nelson asked coaches if a former coach had said anything that has stood the test of time and stuck with them.
“You don’t get to choose what kids remember you saying to them,” he said. “You have to think about what you say to kids because the thing they remember may not be positive.”
The Way of Champions method is something that has been used by teams from the high school level through UConn to the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.
