How to Get Athletes to Buy into a Program

Whether you coach a middle school, high school, college, or professional league, you know that in order to win and succeed as a team that commitment from each player is necessary.  That is, in order to succeed and build a winning team and culture, each individual player must be committed to the program and the sport.

However, one main aspect for any coach looking to build a winning team and a successful program is the acceptance of the program by their individual players.  So called, “buying into a program”, individual athletes must not only believe in the program but also be willing to put in the work to make the program succeed.

And while easier said than done, having athletes buy into a program can be extremely difficult, particularly for new coaches or for coaches with relatively little experience and success. 

That is why, below, we are going to discuss just how to get athletes to buy into a program and what steps you, as a coach, can take to ensure full participation from all your athletes.

What Does it Mean to Buy into a Program?

In the world of competitive athletics, recruiting players is a major facet and undertaking.  Not only does recruiting require scouting players from across the country and globe but doing so can also be done internally and within the league of play.

However, finding and scouting a player is just the start of the process.  In order to fully succeed and build a winning team, coaches and their staff must ensure that any potential player is willing and committed to the team. 

Unfortunately, some players may not fully believe in the program or the process.  And while some players may never believe in the program or the process, it is generally the responsibility of the coach and the coaching staff to help an athlete to buy into the program.

In essence, buying into a program is a player’s acceptance of the coach, their process, and the programs trajectory and future success.  It requires an athlete to fully and wholeheartedly believe in the program and be willing to put in the work to make the program successful.

And while it is possible to recruit and athlete without their full buy in of the program, it is vastly easier and more efficient to have their full buy in beforehand.  Not only does doing so help to avoid any future problems and conflicts but it also helps to create a more unified and cohesive effort.

Why is Having a Players Buy in Important?

While technically not a necessity to running a successful program, having the buy in of all the athletes in a program can make the process easier and more efficient.  And while it’s important to consider the positives of having the individual buy ins, it is also important to consider the consequences of not having the buy ins.

For starters, running a program without the buy ins and beliefs of the individual players is, perhaps, one of the greatest pitfalls to any sports team.  Without the confidence, support, and belief from individual players, the coach and their staff will be working doubly as hard to convince the players of the effectiveness of their program.

Similarly, without the support of the individual players, coaches and their staff will be at a steep disadvantage when it comes to motivating their players.  Players who do not believe in the coach or their vision will be less likely to participate and put in full effort to make the program succeed.

Conversely, by having the support and by in of all the individual players on a team, the coach and their staff are better able to run practice and discuss team goals.  They will have the full, undivided support of their players and the moral backing to continue through adversity and defeat.

Further, by having the full backing of all of the players, coaches are able to allow their athletes, particularly their star athletes, help to motivate and focus their teammates.  This unified front and attitude allows for a more cohesive team and one that is focused on a shared goal and objective.

Can a Team Win Without the Buy ins of its Players?

While there has been no statistical analysis completed on whether or not a team can win without the buy ins of its players, anecdotal evidence suggests that it is difficult to do so.  Simply put, a house divided will find it harder and more difficult to succeed and work towards a shared goal.

Similarly, a team without the backing and buy in of its players will find it difficult to maintain motivation and proper attitudes to win.  Through the slightest levels of obstacles or defeat, these players may call it quits, opting to put in less effort and time into making the program work.

Getting an Athletes Buy in

• Know your athlete – perhaps one of the most important ways to get an athlete to buy into a program is to first know your athlete.  While intuitively simple, getting to know your athlete requires a coach to speak honestly with their players and understand what truly motivates them.  Whether the thrill of the win, the awards and trophies, or the recognition from fans, you should get to know any athlete and showcase to them, clearly and without prejudice, how your specific program will help them to achieve those goals.

• Explain the process – similarly, for many athletes, the reasoning behind the processes is an important factor and one that is considered during the recruiting process.  For many athletes, particularly in competitive leagues, the respective sport is one that they have dedicated much of their life to.  As such, they expect to understand the process and the reasons behind a coach’s decisions and philosophy.

• Discuss the larger picture – further, athletes in competitive leagues look to the larger picture and the long-term goal of a coach and a team.  While it can be helpful to discuss the short-term, immediate goals, you should also discuss the larger picture and where you see both the player, the team, and the organization in three, five, seven, and ten years.

• Develop a shared vision –  developing a shared vision is particularly useful as it allows for all players on a team to work towards the same goal.  Similarly, during the recruiting process, explaining and developing a shared vision will allow athletes to understand the program they are entering and the reasonings behind the decisions being made.

• Run a Well-Oiled Program – in order to get the buy in of an athlete, you need to show them that you are able to execute on the shared vision.  And one important step in doing so is being able to run a well-oiled, air-tight program.  Be punctual, have a method to your process, and a goal that is being worked towards.  If you run a sloppy program with no leadership or consequences, your players will find the program difficult to play in and unorganized.

• Offer praise where it’s due – similarly, players appreciate praise where it’s due.  No one wants to play for a coach or program that is too tough and one that doesn’t reward success and individual contributions.  Be sure to show that you are fair and that you offer praise where it is due.

• Be a role model – even further, many athletes look to their coaches for inspiration and motivation.  Be that coach by working harder than your players day-in and day-out.  Your commitment will further deepen their commitment and a non-committed coach will lose the support of their athletes.

• Be there for them –  whether in sickness or in health, in good times or in bad ones, a good coach should be there for their players.  If you really want your players and athletes to buy into your program and your vision, show them that you care about them.  Listen to their feelings, take into account their hardships, and reward them for a job well done.