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How Steve Kerr And Gregg Popovich Use “Appropriate Fear”

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Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated most known for long-form articles on basketball and his books on the sport, including Hoops Nation and The Art of a Beautiful Game. His coverage of Golden State Warriors Coach and PCA National Advisory Board Member Steve Kerr and many other top players and coaches, along with Chris’ own youth sports coaching experience, uniquely qualify him to explain how best practices of pro sports coaches can translate to youth and high school sports.

Ballard speaks about the unique technique that Coach Gregg Popovich uses, in which Steve Kerr also uses called ""appropriate fear."" He explains that it takes a special coach to be able to use this technique. These coaches need to show their players that they genuinely care about them not only as players but as people, they care about their lives and their families and most importantly you want them to succeed. Appropriate Fear is used when a coach needs to occassionally be an authority figure and be assertive, which is individualized for every player and team. Ballard finishes by saying that in order for a coach to use this technique they need to have earned it, or it does not work.