💭 FCL Weekly Thought: 03/14/25

Happy Friday, and welcome to all new subscribers! If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe here to get on our list moving forward.

In today’s note, Matt writes about an important but often overlooked topic: how to approach conversations with your coach. Whether it’s about playing time, feedback, or understanding your role, knowing how to communicate the right way can make a huge difference. We break it down and share some key takeaways to help you navigate these conversations.

We’ve also got some exciting events coming up in our online community, along with tons of free content. Check it all out below! We appreciate you being here—enjoy ☕️.

Matt & Deemer

🚨 NEW Recruiting Course: If you are a player or parent, notably of a 2027-2030 and want to learn about the recruiting process, we created a $20 course just for you. Check it out here.

This Week at a Glance:

🎙️ FCL Podcast:

• Episode 7 of FCL’s In-Season Podcast

🔐 Online Community Highlights:

• (3/14 RSVP) Adam Sear: Sixes Scheme & Film Analysis

• (3/18 RSVP) Paul Richards: Richmond Defensive Coordinator (topic TBD)

• (3/24 RSVP) Deemer Class: Shooting Mechanics, Drills and Film

📧 Newsletters & Blogs:

• “On the Run”: NCAA Lacrosse Recap - Week 5

• “Coaches Corner”: John Danowski. Offensive tips for attacking the flow! Butt-end hold or v-hold?

WEEKLY THOUGHT

💭 How Should I Approach Conversations with My Coach?

Hey all, Matt here. Excited to be back for another edition of the Weekly Thought. One of the biggest challenges players face—at any level—is figuring out how to talk to their coach. Whether it’s about playing time, feedback, or just understanding where you stand, these conversations can feel intimidating. But they don’t have to be.

The best players I’ve been around take ownership of their development, and a big part of that is learning how to communicate effectively.

How to Approach Your Coach the Right Way

A common mistake players make is waiting until frustration boils over before speaking up. Instead, here’s a better way to approach these conversations:

🔹 Be Clear on Your Purpose – What do you actually want to know? Are you asking for more playing time? Clarification on your role? A plan for improvement? Know what you’re asking before you walk into the conversation.

Note: we recommend not just asking for more playing time. Instead, seek to discover how you can add more value to the team.

🔹 Find the Right Time & Place – Post-game or in the heat of practice is NOT the time. Set up a time to talk when your coach can give you their full attention.

🔹 Ask the Right Questions – Instead of saying, "Why am I not playing?", ask "What can I do to improve and earn more time?" This small shift makes a big difference in how the conversation goes.

🔹 Be Ready to Listen & Apply Feedback – A coach’s job is to help the team, not just individual players. If they give you feedback, take it seriously and show that you’re willing to put in the work.

Before You Ask, Are You Already Listening?

One of the most frustrating things for a coach is when a player asks, "What can I do better?" but hasn’t been applying the general team instructions given in practice and games.

Coaches spend a lot of time reinforcing key principles—how we want to slide, how we clear, what our offensive spacing should look like. If you’re consistently missing those details, the answer to “what can I do better?” is already in front of you.

Before you pull your coach aside, take a step back and ask yourself:
✅ Am I locked in during team talks, film sessions, and practices?
✅ Am I consistently applying the coaching points that have already been emphasized?
✅ Am I focusing on improving in areas the entire team has been asked to execute?

If the answer is no, start there. The players who listen, adjust, and apply feedback—without needing to be told twice—stand out the most. This what the phrase “being coachable” is all about. Are you listening and trying to apply coaching instructions to the best of your ability?

A Simple 3-Step Approach to Talking to Your Coach

1️⃣ Prepare – Know what you want to ask and approach it with a growth mindset.
2️⃣ Engage – Listen actively, don’t get defensive, and ask follow-up questions if needed.
3️⃣ Execute – Take what your coach tells you and apply it in practice and games.

At the end of the day, your relationship with your coach is just that—a relationship. The more you take ownership of your development, the better those conversations will go.

I remember these conversations being anxiety-inducing as a younger player, but the best way to face a fear is head on with a good plan. Don’t shy away from what’s important just because it’s uncomfortable.

Hopefully this email provides some guidance on the best way for players (not parents) to approach their coaches around playing time.

Best
– Coach Class and Coach Dunn

IN THE COMMUNITY

In addition to our coaches communities, we are making a big push in content for players & parents including our recruiting resources space in Circle. If you are looking for guidance in the recruiting process check out our community.

Check out our new course on recruiting.

High Schools on Our Circle Community

We are pumped to have McDonogh, Taft and Somers on our Circle community!

Coaches, we still have all the great content for you as well with over 100 drills from top college coaches, full webinar recordings, a film breakdown library and more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Want to train with us? Check out all options here. See a selected few highlights below.

Best In Class Fall Showcase is Live!

SOCIAL & CONTENT

Our free content on social media is core to who we are as a business. We love sharing content that you love seeing. Check out a stepdown shooting clinic from Navy’s Jack Ponzio against Lehigh, and a drill from FCL Athlete and Syracuse defender Billy Dwan!