Hold Your Post Game Comments

After a game emotions are running high with players and coaches, especially after a loss.  Its not easy, but I try to say as little as possible after a game and especially after a loss.  I do understand the importance of immediate feedback, but I've decided the benefits of that feedback don't outweigh the cons. I'm more likely to say something I regret immediately following a loss and players are less likely to take my instructions in a manner that allows them to improve.  If we did something that could be fixed by a coach's comments then say it during halftime or a timeout. After the game its too late and we're better off waiting until the next day.

Waiting until the next day allows the emotions to diffuse with both players and coaches and it allows the coaches to review the game film and approach players the next day from a logical standpoint instead of an emotional one.  A prime example of the benefits from waiting came from our first game this week.  No one wants to lose the first game of the season.  Everyone is amped up and ready for this to be their year.  Well we were getting dominated on the glass and ended up allowing 17 offensive rebounds.  During halftime and timeouts I was furious with our lack of toughness and how we were getting outworked and we were too soft to play against such a physical opponent.  My rants didn't help us win the game and after watching the film it was obvious we weren't scared of contact, we lost detail with box outs.  It was more of a technique issue than an effort or willingness to compete on the glass issue.  Blowing up one more time after the game was over might have made me feel better, but it wouldn't help our team rebound any better the next game.  Hopefully watching the film and 2 hours of box out and rebounding drills the next day will help our team the next game.

Are you a prisoner to your own emotional comments after the game or can you hold them until the next day?