If you're not having fun, what's the point?

One of my core challenges in coaching is striking the right balance between having fun and trying to win. It’s an endless, shape-shifting problem, a weekly concoction of salty and sweet. The recipe is always changing.

The concept of winning is built into the game of football: the team that scores more goals wins. It’s always been that way. But the result itself is out of your control. You can have a wonderful group, adequately prepared; and still lose.

What you can control is the experience.

Are your training sessions fun and creative? Are people happy and connected? Do you have super-cool team shirts that create pride when stepping out on the pitch? Are your pre-game beats on point?

When football is enjoyable, players work harder, stay longer, and care more. Balancing competition with joy isn’t a weakness; it’s the key to long-term success. Great leadership finds the sweet spot between taking the game seriously and making it an experience worth remembering.

Nothing beats a team that’s having fun and winning. That’s football heaven.

But enjoying yourself when you’re struggling for results? That’s more real, and perhaps even more important.