348: Creating a High Performance Culture on Values & Behaviors| Dave Passmore USA Women’s Field Hockey Part 1
May 12, 2024
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Coach Dave Passmore discusses transforming the USA Women's Field Hockey team into Olympic qualifiers. He emphasizes building a strong team culture based on values and behaviors, focusing on trust, communication, and empowerment. The podcast explores Passmore's journey from player to coach, highlighting the importance of personal development and creating a high-performance sports culture based on joy, unity, and respect.
Building a strong team culture through collaborative definition of core values and behaviors.
Empowering athletes to engage in decision-making processes and fostering trust and collaboration within the team.
Deep dives
Dave Passmore's Background and Coaching Journey
Dave Passmore, the USA women's field hockey coach, brings a wealth of experience from coaching internationally for over 20 years. Initially, starting as a professor of coaching science and education, he transitioned into coaching and high performance directing in various countries. His diverse coaching background includes working with British and Irish hockey teams, spanning men's and women's field hockey across different age groups. Passmore's academic endeavors in coach and talent development have enriched his coaching approach, demonstrating a blend of practical experience and theoretical knowledge.
The Journey Towards Establishing Team Culture
Upon taking over the USA field hockey program, Passmore encountered a team that struggled with underperformance and lack of qualification for major events. Recognizing the need to build a strong team culture, he initiated individual meetings with each of the 37 athletes, aiming to understand their perspectives and ambitions. With a focus on culture and values, Passmore engaged the squad in a five-day camp in Chillivista to collaboratively define the team's core values and behaviors. This inclusive approach laid the foundation for a unified team culture.
Emphasis on Player Involvement and Goal Alignment
Passmore's coaching philosophy revolves around empowering athletes to engage in decision-making processes and establish clear objectives. By introducing open dialogues and leadership group discussions, he fostered a sense of ownership among the players towards setting ambitious goals. This approach led to a collective decision to intensify training schedules and commit to Olympic qualification, emphasizing the importance of player commitment and choice within the program.
Cultivating Trust, Collaboration, and Player Development
Central to Passmore's coaching methodology is the cultivation of trust and collaboration within the team. Through transparent communication, honest engagement, and shared decision-making, he created an environment where athletes felt valued and authentic. By encouraging self-reflection, continuous learning, and prioritizing individual development, Passmore instilled a culture of respect, dedication, and joy within the team. This holistic approach towards building trust and promoting player growth proved instrumental in the team's journey towards achieving success on and off the field.
Coach Dave Passmore shares his journey of transforming the underperforming USA Women's Field Hockey team into Olympic qualifiers against all odds. With a background in coaching science and education, Dave's expertise in culture building and talent development shines through. Tune in to learn the process behind laying the foundation for a great team culture from one of the best in the field.