Contacts Episode #174: Mario Enea

Welcome to this edition of the "The Coaching Journey," a newsletter dedicated to sharing insights and advice from experienced coaches. In our latest interview with lacrosse coach and former football player Mario Enea, we had the privilege of delving into various aspects of coaching, player development, and the challenges faced in today's sports landscape. Enea shared his experiences, wisdom, and unique perspectives, providing valuable insights for coaches and athletes alike. In this newsletter, we will explore the top 10 teachable moments and in-depth takeaways from our conversation with Mario Enea, highlighting the lessons learned and the potential impact they can have on coaching practices.

10 Key Insights from Mario Enea

• The value of learning from other sports: Mario Enea highlights the importance of borrowing techniques from other disciplines and applying them to lacrosse. Drawing from his experience playing junior college football, Enea emphasizes how athletes can have a better understanding and grasp of the game by simply playing it, even without the traditional playbook.

• Unconventional learning methods: Enea shares an interesting anecdote about going through a walkthrough in their game uniforms, which helped him and his team understand the game of football better. This example illustrates the effectiveness of non-traditional learning approaches and prompts coaches to think outside the box when it comes to player development.

• The power of shared experiences: Enea recalls a memorable insult he received during a game, where 23,000 people yelled "SUCKS!" in unison. Despite its negative nature, Enea takes pride in this insult, showcasing the resilience and mental toughness required in sports.

• Managing parental expectations: Enea raises concerns about unrealistic expectations that some parents have for their children's athletic abilities. He believes it is a societal issue fueled by unrealistic notions and the negative implications of technology. This highlights the importance of setting realistic expectations and providing support to athletes in navigating pressures from parents and society.

• Embracing a growth mindset: Enea emphasizes the importance of being open to change and embracing new technologies. He shares his shift in mindset towards utilizing technology, specifically in terms of scriptwriting and playbook creation, indicating a willingness to adapt and evolve as a coach.

• The impact of technology: While acknowledging the benefits of technology, Enea also highlights its negative aspects. He suggests that, despite its advancements, technology can bring about certain societal challenges that need to be addressed. This prompts coaches to consider the potential pitfalls and responsibilities associated with incorporating technology into their coaching practices.

• Finding talent outside of major cities: Enea discusses the misconception that top athletes only exist in densely populated areas. He argues that exceptional talent can be found outside major cities, emphasizing the importance of exploring talent beyond the usual hotspots. This challenges coaches to adopt a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to talent identification.

• The parallel between sports and society: Enea suggests that parental pressure and unrealistic expectations are not only prevalent in sports but also indicative of wider societal issues. This insight prompts coaches to reflect on the larger societal context within which they operate and the influence they have in shaping athlete's experiences.

• Flexibility in mindset: Enea encourages coaches to approach their beliefs and assumptions with flexibility, allowing for personal growth and development. He underscores the significance of challenging and evolving one's own perspectives, both in sports and beyond.

• The value of time management: Enea mentions how he used to spend hours on tasks such as writing scripts or creating playbooks. This offers a valuable lesson in time management and highlights the need for coaches to prioritize their efforts and find more efficient ways to accomplish their tasks.

These teachable moments and takeaways from the interview with Mario Enea provide valuable insights into his experiences as a coach. They offer guidance for individuals interested in pursuing a coaching career and highlight the importance of character, mentorship, self-awareness, and continuous learning in successfully navigating the coaching profession.

Listen to his episode here

Watch his episode here: You Tube

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Best regards, Justin Clymo

What Keeps Contacts Going.