Legacy – Book Review

In keeping with my challenge to read a book a month (you should try it!), here is my latest book review…

 Title: Legacy

Authors: James Kerr

Topic: Coaching/Psychology/Culture

Appropriate for: Coaches, Parents, Teachers, Athletes

Overall rating: 5/5 (if you haven’t already – get reading!)

Overview: This is a very interesting and thought provoking read. It provides a pretty candid view into the culture of one of the most successful sports teams of all time. It also highlights how they reversed a downhill slide by addressing some detrimental attitudes within the team. At first glance, you might think “It’s a good read, but I don’t see how the ideas in this book can be relevant to my u16s…” But actually as you often see in professional sport, the best teams are the best because they do the basics incredibly well. Also, it’s better to create a culture that instills the desired values and attitudes at the youth level, rather than having to work on removing harmful attitudes at a senior level. After all, aren’t we all tired of seeing arrogant 15 year old primadonnas?
Legacy presents the following principles as key to the All Blacks team:

• Sweep the sheds – never be to big to do the small things that need to be done
• Go for the gap – when you’re on top of your game, change your game
• Play with purpose – ask “why”
• Pass the ball – leaders create leaders
• Create a learning environment – leaders are teachers
• No d***heads – follow the spearhead
• Embrace expectations – aim for the highest cloud
• Train to win – practice under pressure
• Keep a blue head – control your attention
• Know Thyself – keep it real
• Sacrifice – find something you would die for and give your life to it
• Invent a language – sing your world into existence
• Ritualise to actualise – create a culture
• Be a good ancestor – plant trees you’ll never see
• Write your legacy – this is your time

I don’t know what you think, but I certainly can see a number of principles which would create a better mentality in youth athletes and foster better long term mental development, as well as improving the environment in any team. If you peek under the surface, you’ll see the growth mindset in action too.
Overall, I would really recommend everybody check out this book. I guarantee it will make you reflect upon your own coaching practice, language and values. There will also be at least one thing you take away that could benefit your coaching practice and athletes under your care. You can find the book on amazon here: Legacy
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