Dual Role Leads To No Hammer Time

Whether you like him or not, you have to have some sort of deference for Shane Heal; someone who believed enough in his own abilities to attempt the dual role of coach and player for the South Dragons. Well, the honeymoon lasted about 18 months. Over the course of the last month, he has gradually phased out one thing after another until last week he was relieved completely all duties with the Dragons.

So, it got me thinking,…Is it possible to do both?

I don’t mean physically possible. Obviously that can be done, given you are able to find a boss that is willing to allow it. I mean can you be truly successful jumping between both pairs of shoes in the current business of professional sport?

In my book, the answer is no. However, I will admit that 18 months ago I would have said that if anyone were to prove me wrong on the issue, it would be Shane Heal. Yet here we are, and there he goes.

Why can’t it be done?

The key obstacle for anyone is time.

As a player, you can expect to put in around about twenty hours per week as a team, split between on court and gym sessions. On top of that, any player worth his weight will spend extra time working on his individual game.

Athletes that put so much demand on their bodies also needs to look after themselves away from the court. This can be anything from massage to physiotherapy, which most players will visit a time or two each week.

All up, you are looking at a total of around 30+ hours if you are any good at what you are doing.

Now you have to go to your second job, coach. You are able to kill two birds with one stone, time-wise when you are on the court. You can play your dual role there. But, before each session begins, it’s your job to plan what is going to happen during that time.

Then there are the meetings with your assistants to make sure everyone is on the same page and rowing in the same direction. There is video that needs to be watched, opposition scouting that cannot be put off until tomorrow, travel arrangements that must be attended to and the emotional and physical well-being of your team to examine.

I think you get the point.

Oh and don’t forget the issue of accountability to those who are watching over issues which pertain to the bottom line. The CEO may have some things to discuss with you about some business figures. And if he doesn’t, there is always your presentation at the monthly board meeting to prepare for.

Phew,…I’m exhausted just trying to put it all on paper.

You add it all up and to do both jobs well, you could be looking at in excess of 80 hours/week, which makes sense. They are both positions filled by full-time professionals.

I don’t know too many people who practice as both doctors and lawyers at the same time. And I certainly don’t know anyone who would use them if they did.

My article can be found weekly in the Townsville Bulletin.