252: The secret to winning cross country teams. The power of the 5th man.

In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus delve into the concept of the ‘fifth man’ and its crucial role in building winning cross country teams. They discuss the importance of every team member, not just the top performers, in contributing to overall success. They highlight strategies for fostering a team culture that values and motivates all athletes, emphasizing player-driven encouragement over coach-centered directives. Examples from both sports and business contexts illustrate the significance of clear roles, intrinsic motivation, and supportive peer dynamics. The episode also underscores the difficulty and necessity of creating a strong team culture, offering insights from the hosts’ coaching experiences and encouraging coaches to engage in continuous learning and dialogue.

Steve & Jon

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