Setting the Table for Thank The Passer
More often than not, our leaders don’t lead because those they’re trying to lead aren’t easy to lead. The “followers” don’t listen, they do their own thing, make comments back to the leader, un-friend the leader and make jokes about the leader.
They turn an excited leader into a leader no longer interested in leading. Someone who had the backs of their teammates and now no longer does.
Thank The Passer exercise changes all of this. Thank The Passer creates an environment where the leader becomes encouraged to lead more often and confidently.
This exercise helps improve the performance of the follower which in turn creates more effective leaders ultimately leading to more “passes” (acts of leadership) from the leader.
"“This exercise flipped our entire program upside-down. I know our players weren’t great followers prior to this exercise but afterwards, you began hearing embraces and thank you’s accompanied with all acts of leadership.”"
Varsity Football Coach – Maryland
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Student Growth Areas
Exercise Length
Language Guide
Passer
Someone who passes leadership from one person to another, or to a group
Thank The Passer Exercise Reminder Card
To emphasize and reinforce the lessons learned in this exercise with your players, download and share this graphic with them 24 hours after completing the exercise.
Thank The Passer Quiz Questions
Use these questions below to engage after you have taught the exercise.
- What is a pass?
- What are we thanking the passer for?
- What is the “moment of truth?”