Problem Solving on the Fly

Sometimes, leadership in youth sports shows up in the heat of the moment. During a rec league basketball tournament last weekend, a 13U team was down by 8 points in the third quarter. The coach had stepped away, and tension was building fast. That’s when Jordan, the team’s point guard, took charge. Not with yelling or blame, but with problem solving. He called for a timeout and said, “Let’s go back to what works. Pass, cut, move. Stop trying to do everything alone.”

A fast paced comeback built on teamwork was their next move. They simplified their offense, relied on their strengths, and supported each other on defense. By the end of the game, they pulled off a 2-point win, and Jordan didn’t even score the final basket.

Leadership doesn’t always look like a speech or a title. Sometimes it’s just clarity, courage, and a calm voice when it counts.