The Playbook: A Coach's Rules for Life
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Insightful docu offers great life lesson, some cursing.
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The Playbook: A Coach's Rules for Life
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What's the Story?
THE PLAYBOOK: A COACH'S RULES FOR LIFE is a Netflix documentary that features some of the sports world's greatest coaches sharing the rules that guide their professional careers and personal lives. The series features interviews with NBA coach Glenn "Doc" Rivers, WNBA Hall of Fame member and University of South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, former USA Women's Soccer team coach Jill Ellis, and José Mourinho, who manages the Premier League Tottenham Hotspur football club. Rounding out the cast is Patrick Mouratoglou, best known for being Serena Williams' tennis coach. With the help of archival footage of practices and sporting events, each coach shares who and what has inspired them throughout their lives, and what they've learned from decades of playing and coaching their sport.
Is It Any Good?
This insightful documentary series features some of the world's most successful coaches talking about the evolution of their coaching careers and what drives their coaching philosophies. They share what they've learned throughout the process, including how they've motivated players, the importance of losing, and in some cases, the fear of getting fired when it happens too often. Some of the consequences their careers have had on their private lives, and what they've learned when that's happened, is also discussed.
The pivotal moments of each coach's career, many of which occurred publicly, are addressed, even if she or he refuses to comment on them. But most of the series serves as a platform from which each person can share what they feel are the most important rules to live by based on their own experiences. As a result, The Playbook offers viewers a collection of interesting life lessons that are worth listening to, even if you're not an athlete.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the lessons offered in The Playbook. How does each coach's philosophy apply to life outside of sports? Did you find any of the rules they discussed helpful when thinking about your own life?
What are some of the challenges coaches face when doing their jobs? Is it just about making sure their team or player wins? What role does the media play in their careers?
Was there a coach that you feel especially drawn to or inspired by? What are some of the characteristics of the coach, and/or his or her philosophy on and off the court, that resonated with you?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 22, 2020
- Cast: Glenn ‘Doc’ Rivers , Jill Ellis , Dawn Staley
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Communication , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
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