USC Teamwork

Pete Carroll, USC

2008 Nike Coach of the Year Clinic
Sat., March 8, 2008

Trying to build structure to win forever

Do you have a philosophy? Can you put it in 25 words or less?

·you’ve got to know: who you are, what you stand for, what & how to teach to your
people
·what do I think or feel or believe about everything and anything
·what’s the most important thing about…
·even as an assistant, need to know your philosophy

When you do this, other people notice, are attracted, and will pay attention/follow

“Win forever” = coach and play to your potential; be as good as you can possibly be

Program-building Pyramid

From bottom up:

1. Foundation of program/the way we think – philosophy, beliefs, principles, values, rules &
regs, style of play
·philosophy – collection of beliefs
·principles – single statements
“Critique effort 1st.”
“We’re going to do everything better than it’s been done before.”
“We don’t want to be the best one doing it…we want to be the only one.”
·values; e.g. effort, enthusiasm, smart, respect, finish
·3 rules in USC program:

Carroll 2008, p. 1
 --Always protect your team (addresses conscience)
--No whining, no complaining, no excuses (addresses self-talk, mental toughness)
--Be early (addresses organization, planning, & priorities; shows respect for others)

2. Putting it into action/program theme – examples:

“Competition – got to live it”
“Competition – you’re either competing or you’re not. You don’t get to choose when to
compete – you always are one or the other.” [not entirely sure what this means,
but it seemed to make sense at the time]
“Relentless pursuit!” – make drills competitive; always have something at stake
“Practice is everything”

3. Qualities produced in players

Examples: confidence, trust, focus

4. Knowledge

5. Program vision
Example: “Win Forever”

USC never counts on players to set the tempo of practice or drills

coaches must be leaders – if they work hard, players will work hard
nurture good leaders (coaches); if not a good leader, coach him up

having a sluggish practice – call half-time; give half-time speech as if behind; coaches talk
to/challenge position players; 5 min. long with 2 min. warning

Law of Attraction: what you focus on, you attract to yourself

***after losing to Texas in Rose Bowl – 19 seconds can’t define you; your body of work
defines you

goal-setting: want goals you can’t reach; set goals beyond what you desire, so you keep reaching

focus on what you want, what you can control

set your sights high & hold your standards high

***model passion to your players

don’t be afraid to let them know what you’re about

continued on next page

Question & Answer period:

Carroll 2008, p. 2
Film sessions:
a) “Competition Tuesday” – everyone competing in every drill; film it; breakdown overnight
& show highlights on Wednesday to start practice
b) highlight films

Players council: giving players opportunity to give input gives you information and gives them
ownership
·don’t give them control – you don’t have to do what they say
·but get their input

Most important thing players take away from USC program – how to compete

Program-building/Team-building:
·nurture the concept of freshmen as younger brothers; older “brothers” guide, correct, teach
younger “brothers;” gives sense of role & eliminates “me-first” attitudes
·find ways to make every player feel connected to you and the program; work with them extra
to make them the best they can be

Carroll 2008, p. 3