Teach them to work... intelligently.
Teach them to compete.
Teach them to win.
Sometimes that last step is the most difficult to achieve. No two situations are alike and there are so many different factors in play in the process. If I were to lump many of these factors together I would call the collective mental toughness. Factors that might be included in this group include the following:
Attitude: The quality of decisions we make directly reflects the quality of our play. In the case of attitude each player has a choice to make between having a positive attitude or a negative attitude. Whatever decision an athlete makes will directly impact his teammates as well. Both positivity and negativity are contagious.
Concentration: Teams that can bring focus to bear on relevant game related factors have a much improved chance of performing well. The details of the process are factors we can control because they involve decisions we must make. These range from executing with proper technique to knowing, accepting and adhering to individual roles on the team. In short, taking care of our individual business so we may be trusted by our teammates. Are we responsible in our technique, tactics, physical fitness and mental approach to both preparation for and playing of the game?
Preparation: I strongly recommend athletes develop a daily in-season routine with a focus on proper nutrition, proper sleep, proper physical preparation, proper mental preparation to play. Failing to prepare properly is preparing to fail. This is a basic truth, but one many athletes do not give full due consideration to. Goal setting is also a part of preparation. This means constant monitoring of goals, possibly adjusting goals in-season. And constant discussion of the process to achieve our goals is necessary.
Resiliency: The best teams I have been a part of have been resilient. As I have considered this trait it occurred to me that in club soccer while at tournaments I was often times unsure of our opponents playing level. I would research teams on the Internet or by word of mouth through coaching colleagues. I tell the cub teams we might be in over our heads even while encouraging them to play every minute of the game to the best of their ability and we'll see where we are at the final whistle. In taking this approach I have allowed the team to think of the possibility they will encounter adversity but also that we will continue playing through it. Visualization. Encounter adversity and plan for it. What will be our response? Develop a clear and strong concept of what we can control and focus on these areas while blocking out all things beyond our control.
Belief: It all comes down to believing in your abilities as well as those of teammates. Being trustworthy and being able to trust your teammates is the backbone of believing, Maintaining your role and positional responsibilities is essential in the face of adversity, Resisting the temptation to play outside your abilities, role and responsibilities is being resilient, Panicking and attempting to do more than you are capable of is the enemy of resiliency , Being accountable to yourself, your role, your positional responsibilities and your team is key to earning trust. Trusting each teammate to perform their responsibilities and helping them to put things right in the face of adversity instead of attempting to play hero ball by stepping outside of your own abilities and role is key. Instilling confidence and belief in one another is much preferred over trying to do someone else's job at the expense of your own responsibilities.
I believe each of these factors have a common trait - decision making. When we make good decisions about factors within our control, good things will happen including learning to win through being resilient and overcoming adversity.
Welcome to the web home of Conceive Believe Achieve Soccer. We specialize in conducting high school team camps. This website began as a means to promote our camps and keep campers informed of upcoming opportunities. There are now over 650 articles archived here. Use the search function in the right hand column below to find ones on topic for you. You may contact us at coachtjbrown@gmail.com or 567-204-6083 Thanks for visiting!
Showing posts with label Belief. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belief. Show all posts
Sunday
Saturday
Intelligent Effort
I've watched a lot of soccer this month. I always marvel at how hard high school athletes compete. Rare are the occasions when I witness a lack of effort from individual players or a team. That said, I don't always see intelligent effort and that is often the difference between winning and losing a match.
I recently caught up with a couple of our camp teams each of which demonstrated they were in different places of the process. The first team came out and played a very solid opening 10 minutes of intelligent team soccer. As the opponents began to settle into their own game our camp team began to unravel. It wasn't long before intelligent team effort gave way to strong individual effort or what we call "hero ball." The result was predictable and it did not end well for our camp team.
A second camp team entered a match in which they were likely considered underdogs if only because they lacked the same quality depth as their opponents. This camp team came out and gave great intelligent effort for 80 minutes against a quality side and came away with a good result. They did not dominate the match but they held their own in a battle of styles and wills.
The difference between the two camp teams at this stage of the respective processes?
I've been giving that a lot of thought these past few days. One obvious factor is the 2nd team referenced has been camping with us for a number of years whereas this was the first year we have camped with the first team referenced. I don't think that fully explains the differences though. Both teams started out well but while one team continued their strong intelligent play the other faltered mightily. I suspect the difference is trust.
Trust in the process. Some will call this buy-in. And buy-in itself can be a process. There has to be a taste of success to whet the appetite. Once the hunger is there the process can thrive and confidence grows.
Trust in each other. The second team played with a spirit of camaraderie that carried them through the rough patches in the match. They bent but never broke. They were resilient in the face of adversity. The first team panicked in the face of adversity. They were good until the opponents counter-punched at which time they retreated from intelligent team effort to a previous comfort zone of great individual effort. They did not trust the process nor did they trust one another as teammates. They went from possessing the ball to whacking the ball and the rout was on.
I really believe in both of these teams. The talent is present on both squads to have very good seasons. Each team is at its own point in similar processes. Where each goes from here will be extremely interesting to observe. I am expecting good, possibly great things from the second team. If they build upon their recent performance good things will follow.
In regards to the first team, I believe good is an obtainable goal this season if, and only if, they can build upon and sustain the level of intelligent play I witnessed them give in those first 10 minutes of of a recent match. It's a start. Can they build 10 minutes into 15 minutes and progress from there?
Next week I am off to check on another of our camp teams. This particular team just completed their third year of summer camp with us. I was amazed by the improvement witnessed last month and early results are indicating something good may be happening with them. Where once technique was a weakness they have developed a strong understanding not only of how to execute skills but are now able to apply these skills in a cohesive intelligent manner. They are not a finished product, but from what they demonstrated in camp I am excited for them.
I recently caught up with a couple of our camp teams each of which demonstrated they were in different places of the process. The first team came out and played a very solid opening 10 minutes of intelligent team soccer. As the opponents began to settle into their own game our camp team began to unravel. It wasn't long before intelligent team effort gave way to strong individual effort or what we call "hero ball." The result was predictable and it did not end well for our camp team.
A second camp team entered a match in which they were likely considered underdogs if only because they lacked the same quality depth as their opponents. This camp team came out and gave great intelligent effort for 80 minutes against a quality side and came away with a good result. They did not dominate the match but they held their own in a battle of styles and wills.
The difference between the two camp teams at this stage of the respective processes?
I've been giving that a lot of thought these past few days. One obvious factor is the 2nd team referenced has been camping with us for a number of years whereas this was the first year we have camped with the first team referenced. I don't think that fully explains the differences though. Both teams started out well but while one team continued their strong intelligent play the other faltered mightily. I suspect the difference is trust.
Trust in the process. Some will call this buy-in. And buy-in itself can be a process. There has to be a taste of success to whet the appetite. Once the hunger is there the process can thrive and confidence grows.
Trust in each other. The second team played with a spirit of camaraderie that carried them through the rough patches in the match. They bent but never broke. They were resilient in the face of adversity. The first team panicked in the face of adversity. They were good until the opponents counter-punched at which time they retreated from intelligent team effort to a previous comfort zone of great individual effort. They did not trust the process nor did they trust one another as teammates. They went from possessing the ball to whacking the ball and the rout was on.
I really believe in both of these teams. The talent is present on both squads to have very good seasons. Each team is at its own point in similar processes. Where each goes from here will be extremely interesting to observe. I am expecting good, possibly great things from the second team. If they build upon their recent performance good things will follow.
In regards to the first team, I believe good is an obtainable goal this season if, and only if, they can build upon and sustain the level of intelligent play I witnessed them give in those first 10 minutes of of a recent match. It's a start. Can they build 10 minutes into 15 minutes and progress from there?
Next week I am off to check on another of our camp teams. This particular team just completed their third year of summer camp with us. I was amazed by the improvement witnessed last month and early results are indicating something good may be happening with them. Where once technique was a weakness they have developed a strong understanding not only of how to execute skills but are now able to apply these skills in a cohesive intelligent manner. They are not a finished product, but from what they demonstrated in camp I am excited for them.
Tuesday
Team Culture in Soccer
Culture: the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time.
Philosophy: a set of ideas about how to do something.
The culture of a particular team will be reflective of it's leadership. A coach's philosophy will go a long ways toward determining the team's culture. Player leadership will also impact a teams culture. Great team culture sees player leadership buy into the coach's philosophy.
Establishing a productive team culture is so important I write about it often. Most recently I authored the article Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast based on a quote I found on Twitter. The title says it all. We have all seen teams with great talent lose to "inferior" teams with great culture.
Every team has a culture be it great, good, indifferent or toxic.
Just think about that for a minute.
A great culture enhances and magnifies a teams technical, tactical, physical and psychological abilities. Perhaps most importantly a great team culture manifests itself as passion to participate with teammates and play the game together as many working towards a common goal.
The foundation of great team culture is Honesty.
A soccer team is a group of people who develop, nurture and grow relationships based around a common interest - soccer. Trust is the foundational principle that holds all relationships together. Trust is dependent on honesty, on truth, to exist. Trust is the glue of life, the most essential ingredient in effective communication. Healthy relationships are all about effective communication.
Belief takes root in the ground prepared by Truth and Trust. When a team believes, when a team buys in to the coach's philosophy, the potential for success increases exponentially. The momentum created can be palpable. Confidence can be felt exuding from vibrant athletes who are eager to test themselves against opponents.
When I scout a team the first thing I try to determine is its culture.
When I observe an opponent warming up, the first thing I try to determine is its culture.
Why?
Whatever problems an opposing player, their team or their teams tactics present can be dealt with and solved to the best of our ability. The opponents culture? If it is stronger than ours, we will face a difficult battle because there is virtually nothing we can do to counteract an opposing teams strong culture. We must match or exceed the opponents team culture. This being the case, it is of utmost importance to establish a strong team culture and intentionally work on strengthening it every day.
Philosophy: a set of ideas about how to do something.
The culture of a particular team will be reflective of it's leadership. A coach's philosophy will go a long ways toward determining the team's culture. Player leadership will also impact a teams culture. Great team culture sees player leadership buy into the coach's philosophy.
Establishing a productive team culture is so important I write about it often. Most recently I authored the article Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast based on a quote I found on Twitter. The title says it all. We have all seen teams with great talent lose to "inferior" teams with great culture.
Every team has a culture be it great, good, indifferent or toxic.
Just think about that for a minute.
A great culture enhances and magnifies a teams technical, tactical, physical and psychological abilities. Perhaps most importantly a great team culture manifests itself as passion to participate with teammates and play the game together as many working towards a common goal.
The foundation of great team culture is Honesty.
A soccer team is a group of people who develop, nurture and grow relationships based around a common interest - soccer. Trust is the foundational principle that holds all relationships together. Trust is dependent on honesty, on truth, to exist. Trust is the glue of life, the most essential ingredient in effective communication. Healthy relationships are all about effective communication.
Belief takes root in the ground prepared by Truth and Trust. When a team believes, when a team buys in to the coach's philosophy, the potential for success increases exponentially. The momentum created can be palpable. Confidence can be felt exuding from vibrant athletes who are eager to test themselves against opponents.
When I scout a team the first thing I try to determine is its culture.
When I observe an opponent warming up, the first thing I try to determine is its culture.
Why?
Whatever problems an opposing player, their team or their teams tactics present can be dealt with and solved to the best of our ability. The opponents culture? If it is stronger than ours, we will face a difficult battle because there is virtually nothing we can do to counteract an opposing teams strong culture. We must match or exceed the opponents team culture. This being the case, it is of utmost importance to establish a strong team culture and intentionally work on strengthening it every day.
Saturday
The Anatomy of Success
A young soccer coach trying to make sense of a disappointing season sought a blueprint for success What is it that successful teams have? What is the "it" factor that separates the mediocre from the very good? The result of our discussion is more of a checklist than it is a blueprint, but I think we got it pretty much right. I am also sure we have not reinvented the wheel. Nonetheless, it was a good mental exercise for us and in the end a productive one.
1) Leadership
It all begins with energetic disciplined positive leadership. There needs to be driven determination with a humble attitude. And vision. The leadership needs a vision for what the team should look like on and off the pitch.
2) Truth and Trust
There must exist an honest assessment of where the program is before plans can be made to take it where the leadership vision believes it can ascend to. There also must be honesty in the relationships between all members of the team. Without truth there will never be full trust and the team will never play to its full potential.
3) Buy-in
Get the right people on board, then figure out the rest of the logistics. There needs to be a collective effort to address the smallest details of the process. This goes beyond simple accepting or filling of roles. It necessitates embracing roles and a willingness to fulfill them to the greatest extent possible. You have to get the right people before you can get the rest right. Coach, assistant coaches, players - all facing in the same direction with the same destination in mind. 100% investment. 100% commitment, These are the ideals. The closer you come to achieving these the greater your chances for success.
4) Accentuate Strengths
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes the focus on weakness outweighs the focus on strengths. Identify strengths and place people in positions and situations where they have a reasonable expectation for success based on those strengths. Can we match passion with strengths? Is their a willingness to sacrifice for the good of the team?
5) A Culture of Dedicated Discipline
There are no shortcuts on the journey to success. When we look at the consequences of not doing the little things we realize there are no little things. Cutting corners in practice will show up in your play in matches. A dedicated commitment to each and every detail of the process is a must. Accountability to one another and to the shared vision for the team.
6) Innovativeness
How individual and collective strengths are utilized. Break the mold to gain the most from each player, each unit on the pitch. Create a system unique to the present team. Freedom to explore the game on both individual and collective levels emphasizing strengths, passion, and the pursuit of wins.
7) Freedom
Each individual brings something to the collective. There must be room within the disciplined effort to allow for individual initiative and expression of freedom. We play for one another and that includes assuming different roles and responsibilities in the run of play. The expectation is for positional responsibilities more so than who mans the position. Each small initiative taken by a player impacts every other player and leads to further initiatives being taken. Only when a role or positional responsibility goes unfulfilled is there real danger to the overall process. Encourage freedom while emphasizing with freedom comes responsibility. The more freedom, the more responsibility.
1) Leadership
It all begins with energetic disciplined positive leadership. There needs to be driven determination with a humble attitude. And vision. The leadership needs a vision for what the team should look like on and off the pitch.
2) Truth and Trust
There must exist an honest assessment of where the program is before plans can be made to take it where the leadership vision believes it can ascend to. There also must be honesty in the relationships between all members of the team. Without truth there will never be full trust and the team will never play to its full potential.
3) Buy-in
Get the right people on board, then figure out the rest of the logistics. There needs to be a collective effort to address the smallest details of the process. This goes beyond simple accepting or filling of roles. It necessitates embracing roles and a willingness to fulfill them to the greatest extent possible. You have to get the right people before you can get the rest right. Coach, assistant coaches, players - all facing in the same direction with the same destination in mind. 100% investment. 100% commitment, These are the ideals. The closer you come to achieving these the greater your chances for success.
4) Accentuate Strengths
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes the focus on weakness outweighs the focus on strengths. Identify strengths and place people in positions and situations where they have a reasonable expectation for success based on those strengths. Can we match passion with strengths? Is their a willingness to sacrifice for the good of the team?
5) A Culture of Dedicated Discipline
There are no shortcuts on the journey to success. When we look at the consequences of not doing the little things we realize there are no little things. Cutting corners in practice will show up in your play in matches. A dedicated commitment to each and every detail of the process is a must. Accountability to one another and to the shared vision for the team.
6) Innovativeness
How individual and collective strengths are utilized. Break the mold to gain the most from each player, each unit on the pitch. Create a system unique to the present team. Freedom to explore the game on both individual and collective levels emphasizing strengths, passion, and the pursuit of wins.
7) Freedom
Each individual brings something to the collective. There must be room within the disciplined effort to allow for individual initiative and expression of freedom. We play for one another and that includes assuming different roles and responsibilities in the run of play. The expectation is for positional responsibilities more so than who mans the position. Each small initiative taken by a player impacts every other player and leads to further initiatives being taken. Only when a role or positional responsibility goes unfulfilled is there real danger to the overall process. Encourage freedom while emphasizing with freedom comes responsibility. The more freedom, the more responsibility.
Labels:
Belief,
buy in,
Conceive Believe Achieve Soccer,
Conceive Believe Achieve Soccer Camps,
dedication,
Discipline,
Freedom,
innovativeness,
responsibility,
strengths,
success,
Trust,
truth,
weakness
Thursday
Just do it.
As a young adult working in corporate finance at an international retailer one day I found myself participating in the company's annual golf outing. The format was a four person co-ed best ball scramble. One member of our team was a non-stop talker, what we called a blowhard back in the day. We got off to a decent start but it was soon obvious the blowhard was grating on nerves and having a negative impact on everyones enjoyment if not their golf games. As we approached one green our best ball was about 20 yards off to the side. In the spirit of encouragement I stated "we're about due for one" meaning a chip into the cup. The VP said, "talk is cheap, just do it." The tone was condescending and although I recognized he was frustrated with the blowhard I took it a bit pesonally. There was only one thing I could do. I played my chip shot onto the green where it bounced twice then rolled right into the cup! Yes, I am sure I had a smug and self-satisfied look on my face after completing that shot.
That memory has stayed with me not so much because of the great shot I made, but because of the lesson learned. Talk is cheap. It is action that resonates long and loud. Belief is a huge factor as well. I had made similar golf shots before. I knew I could again. I had self-induced pressure through being called out on my words. Perhaps this pressure forced me to concentrate more on that shot. I was able to block out the aggravation of the blowhard and concentrate on the game. Maybe I was just lucky.
Years later as a soccer coach I find I do not panic when things are not going our way. I do not yell or scream at players. I refocus on the simple things in the game and remind the players to do the same. I use a calm voice and as few words as possible. The message to players is simple. - You know what to do. Just relax, concentrate and do it. Far more often than not my teams have responded very favorably to this approach. Many have commented how my calmness in crisis gave them confidence and belief in themselves. If I was not panicked, why should they be? If I believed in them, why shouldn't they believe in themselves?
What I took from a disruptive blowhard and a VP chastising me at a golf outing 30 years go was the importance of blocking out distractions and controlling those things within my control. My attitude. My effort. My work ethic.
That memory has stayed with me not so much because of the great shot I made, but because of the lesson learned. Talk is cheap. It is action that resonates long and loud. Belief is a huge factor as well. I had made similar golf shots before. I knew I could again. I had self-induced pressure through being called out on my words. Perhaps this pressure forced me to concentrate more on that shot. I was able to block out the aggravation of the blowhard and concentrate on the game. Maybe I was just lucky.
Years later as a soccer coach I find I do not panic when things are not going our way. I do not yell or scream at players. I refocus on the simple things in the game and remind the players to do the same. I use a calm voice and as few words as possible. The message to players is simple. - You know what to do. Just relax, concentrate and do it. Far more often than not my teams have responded very favorably to this approach. Many have commented how my calmness in crisis gave them confidence and belief in themselves. If I was not panicked, why should they be? If I believed in them, why shouldn't they believe in themselves?
What I took from a disruptive blowhard and a VP chastising me at a golf outing 30 years go was the importance of blocking out distractions and controlling those things within my control. My attitude. My effort. My work ethic.
Wednesday
Broken Trust
Much has been written about the importance of establishing trust in the team environment. Perhaps all the sayings and slogans are cautionary in nature. Surely there are tales of betrayed trust that have taught the value of true trust. I have seen very little on re-establishing trust in the world of team sports once it has been broken. Coaches are fired, players are benched, cut or traded - seldom do we hear or read of succssful instances of trust being rebuilt. Broken trust destroys relationships. In the world of team sports the desire and time to re-establish a relationship doesn't seem to exist. Seasons are simply too short and emotions run too high.
As a coach I work extremely hard to build working relationships with the players on our team. I also work hard on establishng working relationships between players. The same is true for coach / player relationships with referees and even opponents. If trust is the foundation in all these relationships, then truth is the cornerstone.
In the world of team sports, truth is all about effective communication. When communication breaks down truth, and therefore trust, are put at risk.
How does one go about repairing broken trust in the team environment?
My mind is drawn to training where the introduction of pressure is gradual to allow players time to establish comfort and confidence in the aspect of the game being worked on. This is a luxury the fleeting time of a season does not allow for in addressing broken trust. It is a high pressure situation with immediate importance.
Think of the instances in your life when you have either had to ask for forgiveness or have been asked to forgive. Forgiving is not an instantaneous endeavor. It takes time, a concerted effort and a desire to heal the relationship. If we are frank with one another we will admit it can be easier to move on even if that means throwing away the potential of a season in doing so. This a sad truth of team sports.
There is no template for how to go about quickly repairing a broken trust. This is especially true when the time constraints of a sports season are considered. I believe an earnest effort must be made to do so. An effort based in good faith and belief that success is not only possible, but necessary for the team to succeed to its fullest potential. I have seen success when both parties put aside differences for the good of the team. I am unsure if these are rare instances or if the success stories are overshadowed by the pain of lost opportunities in the failures to be truthful with one another and re-establish trust. I do know the best course of action is to not betray a trust in the first place. Be truthful, even if the truth is painful. Just deal honestly with one another - a key to success in life.
As a coach I work extremely hard to build working relationships with the players on our team. I also work hard on establishng working relationships between players. The same is true for coach / player relationships with referees and even opponents. If trust is the foundation in all these relationships, then truth is the cornerstone.
In the world of team sports, truth is all about effective communication. When communication breaks down truth, and therefore trust, are put at risk.
How does one go about repairing broken trust in the team environment?
My mind is drawn to training where the introduction of pressure is gradual to allow players time to establish comfort and confidence in the aspect of the game being worked on. This is a luxury the fleeting time of a season does not allow for in addressing broken trust. It is a high pressure situation with immediate importance.
Think of the instances in your life when you have either had to ask for forgiveness or have been asked to forgive. Forgiving is not an instantaneous endeavor. It takes time, a concerted effort and a desire to heal the relationship. If we are frank with one another we will admit it can be easier to move on even if that means throwing away the potential of a season in doing so. This a sad truth of team sports.
There is no template for how to go about quickly repairing a broken trust. This is especially true when the time constraints of a sports season are considered. I believe an earnest effort must be made to do so. An effort based in good faith and belief that success is not only possible, but necessary for the team to succeed to its fullest potential. I have seen success when both parties put aside differences for the good of the team. I am unsure if these are rare instances or if the success stories are overshadowed by the pain of lost opportunities in the failures to be truthful with one another and re-establish trust. I do know the best course of action is to not betray a trust in the first place. Be truthful, even if the truth is painful. Just deal honestly with one another - a key to success in life.
Monday
Team Rescue
On TVs Bar Rescue Jon Taffer works with bar owners to save floundering bars. The owners of the bars are aware their establishments are failing and that they need help to keep from having to close their business. This doesn't necessarily equate to the owners being receptive to the changes Taffer makes to rescue their bars. Even in the face of looming financial disaster there exists a resistance to change. Taffer often speaks of first having to rescue the bar owners before he can rescue the bar. Only then can he begin to retrain a bars staff and implement changes that will move the business forward on a new path to success. He is not always successful. A recent episode saw Taffer revisiting bars from previous episodes who reverted to their old ways after he had left. Old habits can be hard to break.
What we do at Conceive Believe Achieve Soccer Camps is rescue teams.
Although we generally do not need to rescue coaches in the manner Jon Taffer rescues bar owners there are some similarities in what we do with teams to what Taffer does with businesses. We come in and help to retrain teams. We break down bad mental habits and re-train player's brains to think the game differently than they previously have. In doing so we address technical and tactical aspects of play as well. As with any soccer camp experience their is a physical fitness component included in what we do.
As part of our camp program I do follow up visits with the teams during their seasons. What I find is much the same as Taffer finds when he revisits bars he has helped - varying degrees of success. Some coaches and their teams take what we bring them as a foundation to build upon. They expand their overall games and enjoy great success. Others struggle with practical implementation going through the motions but not fully appreciating or understanding what we have brought to them.
The buy-in is not 100%. There have been on occasion a coach / team that revert almost completely back to their old ways ... with the same old results.
In the end, I think it comes down to discipline. It takes focus and hard work to remain disciplined in the effort to improve. Sometimes it is easier to slip back into a familiar comfort zone for no matter how unsatisfactory that zone actually may be, it is still comfortable in both its substance and its projected outcome. Positive and progressive change requires an acceptance of truth, an establishment of trust, a belief in the process and an expectation for greater success. Not everyone is willing to make that investment in their future.
What we do at Conceive Believe Achieve Soccer Camps is rescue teams.
Although we generally do not need to rescue coaches in the manner Jon Taffer rescues bar owners there are some similarities in what we do with teams to what Taffer does with businesses. We come in and help to retrain teams. We break down bad mental habits and re-train player's brains to think the game differently than they previously have. In doing so we address technical and tactical aspects of play as well. As with any soccer camp experience their is a physical fitness component included in what we do.
As part of our camp program I do follow up visits with the teams during their seasons. What I find is much the same as Taffer finds when he revisits bars he has helped - varying degrees of success. Some coaches and their teams take what we bring them as a foundation to build upon. They expand their overall games and enjoy great success. Others struggle with practical implementation going through the motions but not fully appreciating or understanding what we have brought to them.
The buy-in is not 100%. There have been on occasion a coach / team that revert almost completely back to their old ways ... with the same old results.
In the end, I think it comes down to discipline. It takes focus and hard work to remain disciplined in the effort to improve. Sometimes it is easier to slip back into a familiar comfort zone for no matter how unsatisfactory that zone actually may be, it is still comfortable in both its substance and its projected outcome. Positive and progressive change requires an acceptance of truth, an establishment of trust, a belief in the process and an expectation for greater success. Not everyone is willing to make that investment in their future.
Wednesday
Truth. Trust. Belief. Dreams.
“In our program, the truth is the basis of all that we do. There is nothing more important than the truth because there’s nothing more powerful than the truth. Consequently, on our team, we always tell one another the truth. We must be honest with one another. There is no other way.”
~ Coach K ~
If truth is not present then neither can trust be present.
Without trust there cannot be belief.
In the absence of belief, achievement of dreams does not happen
When dreams are crushed, all is lost.
If I had to choose one thing to share with coaches this quote would be it. Failing to abide by this is the quickest and surest way to lose a team. I have seen this first hand from a parental perspective. It's gut wrenching for all involved. Coach, just man up. Forget political correctness and tell the truth. It all starts with you as leader of the program, as leader of the team.
Monday
More Soccer (and a basketball) Memories - Tim II
A few more of my favorite memories from coaching
These first two revolve around young players with disabilities. Both were such neat kids from loving homes wanting to play sports like their siblings, friends and classmates. I was blessed to be able to coach Eric and John.
Eric played soccer for me one season. If I recall correctly the team was a group of U12 boys. Eric might have been slightly older. I don't know the correct term for Eric's disability. Suffice it to say he was mentally challenged in some ways. Eric was also very bright in some ways and could be a bit of a prankster. One of the challenges I faced were complaints from a couple of players / parents of how Eric's presence on the team and especially in the game put our team at a competitive disadvantage. My approach with those people was to cheerfully reply "Of course, it does! But it also makes us a make stronger team!" It was enough to defuse potentially ugly situations if only because it stunned them into silence.
I made no exceptions for Eric, expecting him to attempt everything his teammates did. I worked with Eric the same I would with any other players. I acknowledged and cheered his successes and when necessary corrected his mistakes. I did notify opposing coaches and referees that we had a special needs kid on our team, but asked no favors on his behalf. If Eric were offside, call it. If Eric committed a foul, call it. If Eric handled the ball, call it. I even played Eric in goal a bit. I, and his teammates, strove to treat Eric as we would any other member of the team.
Eric, for his part seemed to have a great time. The kid was always smiling and often times I spotted a twinkle in his eye that belied a mischievous streak. For instance, we sometimes finished practice with an exercise known as butts up! This usually involved the coaches or a birthday boy standing in the goal with hands on knees and their back to the field. Players would each have a turn to "shoot the ball" at the coaches butt. If they hit the coach, no running. If they missed the coach, they ran half a lap. Eric didn't have much luck hitting the coaches butt until late in the season. I had seen that twinkle in his eye before we started butts up that evening but was unprepared to actually be hit by the ball when it was Eric's turn! He had picked up the ball, snuck up behind me, threw the ball and hit me in the butt! Much laughter ensued! I pretended to be upset that he had "cheated" but Eric didn't care, he had hit coach in the butt! Secretly I beamed at his ingenuity.
And there's the lesson to be learned. Soccer is a game about solving problems encountered on the pitch. That's exactly what Eric had done! In his own unique way and to the best of his ability he solved the problem. Love, Love, LOVE that kid. Such an inspiration to the rest of us. I cannot begin to remember what our record was that season, but I will always remember Eric was on our team.
John was a sports aficionado. His special needs were both physical and mental in nature. Great kid who smiled a lot. I was privileged and honored to coach John in 7th grade basketball. Anyone that has been around 7th grade boys knows their competitive nature really begins to emerge in middle school. Having a special needs kid on your team can be a difficult situation.
I made no exceptions for John. I expected him to attempt everything his teammates were asked to do. To John's credit he dribbled and shot fairly well all things considered. Certainly not at a competitive in-game level but competently nonetheless. He wasn't much of a defender and playing man to man defense with John on the court was never a consideration . Of course, there were one or two players / parents upset about the competitive disadvantage John placed the team in when he was on the court.
My solution with John was to play him in the middle of a 2-1-2 zone whenever he was on the court. On offense he played "high post". As I recall we actually had one player / family become very frustrated and leave the team over John's presence. We were struggling through the season, losing games we "should have" or at least "could have" won except for John. An amazing thing happened as the post season tournament began - the team went on a winning streak that carried them to the championship game! And yes, John was involved in each of those games.
We didn't win the championship, but I'm not sure anyone aside from John really cared. As I said, John is a sports aficionado. He recognizes his limitations but that makes him no less competitive. I remember overhearing him talking with his father about if he had only done "this or that" a little bit better. Never blaming his disabilities, only lamenting that perhaps he had not played as well as he was capable of playing.
My own son said something to the effect, "If it weren't for John we could have won, but I think we got a better prize than a trophy by having John play on our team." And he was absolutely correct. The lesson here is about making the most of what God has blessed us with. John certainly did this on a daily basis. His positive attitude was contagious to the point that he was inspirational to his teammates. I myself don't know if we would have won that championship or not, but I do believe firmly that we would not have played for one without John leading the way.
When I took over the Lima Central Catholic girls program I knew we had to change a culture of losing. What I did not realize was how deeply ingrained the culture of losing was. That first summer with the girls I remember getting incredibly frustrated with teaching the girls to give intelligent effort. The idea of less physical exertion in favor of more mental exertion was struggling to find a foothold. It seemed at some point in the past a coach had told them they were not as talented as opponents and the only way they could compete was to outwork the other team. I took the team off the pitch and we sat in the shade along the St. Gerard's school building. I told the girls they were a good team and it was time to start playing like it. ... there was a collective look on the players faces ... I'm not quite sure how to describe it. I recall looking over my shoulder because I thought something might be seriously wrong. I thought back over what I just said to ascertain if I had somehow been out of line in my speech. I finally asked what was wrong and Sarah spoke up. Of course, it would be Sarah. She is one of my all-time favorite players. A royal pain in the butt and her own worst enemy, but nonetheless one of my all-time favorites and likely in part because of her response that day. "No one has ever told us we are a good team." I was incredulous. I know my mouth gaped open and I asked "What?!" Sarah responded with "You're the first coach to ever tell us we are a good team." As I looked around at the girls I saw heads nodding in agreement, but there was something else visible as well. There was a physical transformation and a changing of attitude happening right before my eyes. In 60 seconds we changed the culture of the program. I gave them my belief, my confidence in them and they knew I was sincere. One of the truly unforgettable moments in my coaching career.
The last memory I will share today is actually a product of the saddest experience I have ever had in sports. A good friend and volunteer assistant to me committed suicide in mid-season. It happened on a Friday night. I spent much of that night with Justin's family and especially his son, Kaleb who was on our team. The next day Lance and I took Kaleb with us to a tournament in Glandorf. Kaleb wanted to be with us and it seemed like the thing to do. Scott Bentz was the coach for the team Lance was guest playing for and when he learned of the circumstances he graciously allowed Kaleb to come along and play that day as well. The next day our own team was scheduled to play the ISC Storm in Botkins, Ohio and I just didn't know if Kaleb and his family would be up for it. I called to warn the ISC Storm coach, Terry Paulus, of what we were dealing with and he graciously said he would go along with whatever we thought would be best. We decided to go ahead and play that Sunday. The sun shone through cloudy skies but there was a bitterly cold wind blowing. We scored first and I began to think of how good it would be to win that day. The Storm tied the game late and, oh, I don't know ... the result just didn't seem to matter much at all. Unbeknownst to me, Terry and the parents from the ISC Storm team had taken up a collection for Kaleb and his family. Now, the first time I ever spoke with Terry Paulus was the day before when I informed him of the tragedy that had struck our team. I didn't know the guy from Adam. It wasn't just a few bucks they collected either. It was a sizeable amount given to complete strangers. ... now good friends. Both Kaleb and Lance have guest played for Terry and the ISC Storm on numerous occasions. This is of course a bitter sweet memory, but Terry Paulus and the ISC Storm made a lasting impression on us that day and provided a memory that will last a lifetime. The money, while a wonderful gesture, is not the memory though. The memory is of others in the family of soccer stepping in to do what they could when it was most needed.. Scott, Terry, all the kids who played in those games that weekend let Kaleb know they had his back and were there to help as they could. Can you imagine having over a hundred people, many whom you never knew before that weekend embracing you with their love? That's a pretty special memory, in my book
These first two revolve around young players with disabilities. Both were such neat kids from loving homes wanting to play sports like their siblings, friends and classmates. I was blessed to be able to coach Eric and John.
Eric played soccer for me one season. If I recall correctly the team was a group of U12 boys. Eric might have been slightly older. I don't know the correct term for Eric's disability. Suffice it to say he was mentally challenged in some ways. Eric was also very bright in some ways and could be a bit of a prankster. One of the challenges I faced were complaints from a couple of players / parents of how Eric's presence on the team and especially in the game put our team at a competitive disadvantage. My approach with those people was to cheerfully reply "Of course, it does! But it also makes us a make stronger team!" It was enough to defuse potentially ugly situations if only because it stunned them into silence.
I made no exceptions for Eric, expecting him to attempt everything his teammates did. I worked with Eric the same I would with any other players. I acknowledged and cheered his successes and when necessary corrected his mistakes. I did notify opposing coaches and referees that we had a special needs kid on our team, but asked no favors on his behalf. If Eric were offside, call it. If Eric committed a foul, call it. If Eric handled the ball, call it. I even played Eric in goal a bit. I, and his teammates, strove to treat Eric as we would any other member of the team.
Eric, for his part seemed to have a great time. The kid was always smiling and often times I spotted a twinkle in his eye that belied a mischievous streak. For instance, we sometimes finished practice with an exercise known as butts up! This usually involved the coaches or a birthday boy standing in the goal with hands on knees and their back to the field. Players would each have a turn to "shoot the ball" at the coaches butt. If they hit the coach, no running. If they missed the coach, they ran half a lap. Eric didn't have much luck hitting the coaches butt until late in the season. I had seen that twinkle in his eye before we started butts up that evening but was unprepared to actually be hit by the ball when it was Eric's turn! He had picked up the ball, snuck up behind me, threw the ball and hit me in the butt! Much laughter ensued! I pretended to be upset that he had "cheated" but Eric didn't care, he had hit coach in the butt! Secretly I beamed at his ingenuity.
And there's the lesson to be learned. Soccer is a game about solving problems encountered on the pitch. That's exactly what Eric had done! In his own unique way and to the best of his ability he solved the problem. Love, Love, LOVE that kid. Such an inspiration to the rest of us. I cannot begin to remember what our record was that season, but I will always remember Eric was on our team.
John was a sports aficionado. His special needs were both physical and mental in nature. Great kid who smiled a lot. I was privileged and honored to coach John in 7th grade basketball. Anyone that has been around 7th grade boys knows their competitive nature really begins to emerge in middle school. Having a special needs kid on your team can be a difficult situation.
I made no exceptions for John. I expected him to attempt everything his teammates were asked to do. To John's credit he dribbled and shot fairly well all things considered. Certainly not at a competitive in-game level but competently nonetheless. He wasn't much of a defender and playing man to man defense with John on the court was never a consideration . Of course, there were one or two players / parents upset about the competitive disadvantage John placed the team in when he was on the court.
My solution with John was to play him in the middle of a 2-1-2 zone whenever he was on the court. On offense he played "high post". As I recall we actually had one player / family become very frustrated and leave the team over John's presence. We were struggling through the season, losing games we "should have" or at least "could have" won except for John. An amazing thing happened as the post season tournament began - the team went on a winning streak that carried them to the championship game! And yes, John was involved in each of those games.
We didn't win the championship, but I'm not sure anyone aside from John really cared. As I said, John is a sports aficionado. He recognizes his limitations but that makes him no less competitive. I remember overhearing him talking with his father about if he had only done "this or that" a little bit better. Never blaming his disabilities, only lamenting that perhaps he had not played as well as he was capable of playing.
My own son said something to the effect, "If it weren't for John we could have won, but I think we got a better prize than a trophy by having John play on our team." And he was absolutely correct. The lesson here is about making the most of what God has blessed us with. John certainly did this on a daily basis. His positive attitude was contagious to the point that he was inspirational to his teammates. I myself don't know if we would have won that championship or not, but I do believe firmly that we would not have played for one without John leading the way.
When I took over the Lima Central Catholic girls program I knew we had to change a culture of losing. What I did not realize was how deeply ingrained the culture of losing was. That first summer with the girls I remember getting incredibly frustrated with teaching the girls to give intelligent effort. The idea of less physical exertion in favor of more mental exertion was struggling to find a foothold. It seemed at some point in the past a coach had told them they were not as talented as opponents and the only way they could compete was to outwork the other team. I took the team off the pitch and we sat in the shade along the St. Gerard's school building. I told the girls they were a good team and it was time to start playing like it. ... there was a collective look on the players faces ... I'm not quite sure how to describe it. I recall looking over my shoulder because I thought something might be seriously wrong. I thought back over what I just said to ascertain if I had somehow been out of line in my speech. I finally asked what was wrong and Sarah spoke up. Of course, it would be Sarah. She is one of my all-time favorite players. A royal pain in the butt and her own worst enemy, but nonetheless one of my all-time favorites and likely in part because of her response that day. "No one has ever told us we are a good team." I was incredulous. I know my mouth gaped open and I asked "What?!" Sarah responded with "You're the first coach to ever tell us we are a good team." As I looked around at the girls I saw heads nodding in agreement, but there was something else visible as well. There was a physical transformation and a changing of attitude happening right before my eyes. In 60 seconds we changed the culture of the program. I gave them my belief, my confidence in them and they knew I was sincere. One of the truly unforgettable moments in my coaching career.
The last memory I will share today is actually a product of the saddest experience I have ever had in sports. A good friend and volunteer assistant to me committed suicide in mid-season. It happened on a Friday night. I spent much of that night with Justin's family and especially his son, Kaleb who was on our team. The next day Lance and I took Kaleb with us to a tournament in Glandorf. Kaleb wanted to be with us and it seemed like the thing to do. Scott Bentz was the coach for the team Lance was guest playing for and when he learned of the circumstances he graciously allowed Kaleb to come along and play that day as well. The next day our own team was scheduled to play the ISC Storm in Botkins, Ohio and I just didn't know if Kaleb and his family would be up for it. I called to warn the ISC Storm coach, Terry Paulus, of what we were dealing with and he graciously said he would go along with whatever we thought would be best. We decided to go ahead and play that Sunday. The sun shone through cloudy skies but there was a bitterly cold wind blowing. We scored first and I began to think of how good it would be to win that day. The Storm tied the game late and, oh, I don't know ... the result just didn't seem to matter much at all. Unbeknownst to me, Terry and the parents from the ISC Storm team had taken up a collection for Kaleb and his family. Now, the first time I ever spoke with Terry Paulus was the day before when I informed him of the tragedy that had struck our team. I didn't know the guy from Adam. It wasn't just a few bucks they collected either. It was a sizeable amount given to complete strangers. ... now good friends. Both Kaleb and Lance have guest played for Terry and the ISC Storm on numerous occasions. This is of course a bitter sweet memory, but Terry Paulus and the ISC Storm made a lasting impression on us that day and provided a memory that will last a lifetime. The money, while a wonderful gesture, is not the memory though. The memory is of others in the family of soccer stepping in to do what they could when it was most needed.. Scott, Terry, all the kids who played in those games that weekend let Kaleb know they had his back and were there to help as they could. Can you imagine having over a hundred people, many whom you never knew before that weekend embracing you with their love? That's a pretty special memory, in my book
Sunday
Wednesday
Everyone Loves an Underdog
I have debated over titling this article with an "underdog" theme or with a "Cinderella team" theme.
A Cinderella team is one that surprises competition and fans alike by advancing further in a tournament than anyone anticipated they would or even could. The classic example of over achieving.
Underdog teams are thought of as being inferior to its opposition usually in both God-given ability and technical excellence. Perhaps the very definition of underachieving.
I suppose it is possible a team can fit in both categories, but then again, maybe not.
My son's team plays their first, and quite possibly only, tournament game tomorrow on the home pitch of a team that thumped them 1 - 4 just 16 days ago. They will enter this match as underdogs hoping to exit it as a Cinderella team.
As I searched the recesses of my mind for examples of teams who had found themselves in similar situations for my son and his teammates to draw inspiration from I kept running into coaching as being a constant in such stories. Cinderella teams tend to have great coaching that helps to propel them beyond expectations. Underdog teams often rise above inferior coaching when a perfect storm of circumstances conspire to allow them to overachieve beyond wildest expectations.
Therefore I am pretty sure my sons team should be depicted as an underdog team going into tomorrow nights match against Celina. Their rookie head coach and his rookie assistants have experienced a very steep learning curve this season. The team is lacking in basic fundamentals, especially from a tactical standpoint. Celina is a well coached technical team with a sound understanding of who they want to be tactically. Yeah, Shawnee is an underdog going into the match tomorrow night.
The question is, can they become a Cinderella team by the time the match is over?
That is going to depend on the players psychological approach to the match. If they step onto the pitch truly believing they can win, Shawnee will have a chance to do just that.
I am reminded of the 1989 NCAA basketball champion University of Michigan Wolverines. By all accounts they were underachievers throughout the season. When their coach decided to leave for Arizona at the conclusion of the season the legendary Bo Schembechler, then the schools athletic director, stepped in and famously said "A Michigan Man will coach this Michigan TEAM." He fired Bill Frieder on the spot and named assistant Steve Fisher the coach of the Wolverines for the NCAA tournament.
That Michigan team went on to win 6 straight games and the 1989 NCAA National Championship. In a sense they made the transition from Underdog to Cinderella.
Now, that 1989 Michigan team was loaded with future NBA talent. Why they underachieved throughout the regular season is open to debate. What is not open to debate is the stunning turnaround they made in the week leading up to their first game in the tournament.
Part of the answer can be found in quotes from the various players on that Michigan team. To paraphrase the collective, "We just went out and balled. No sets. No plays. It was just us playing ball."
If Shawnee is to be successful in transitioning from Underdog to Cinderella tomorrow night I think this is the attitude they must take - they just need to go out and play soccer. Will they find the type of bond the coaching change at Michigan forged for the Wolverines in 1989? I don't know if such a catalyst exists for the Indians. That's going to be their challenge. Can they unite and find the elusive team chemistry that can carry the day tomorrow?
They have nothing to lose and so nothing to fear.
My encouragement to these young men is to step onto the pitch and stand shoulder to shoulder in battling Celina tomorrow night. Have one anothers backs as players. Block all else out. When you walk off the field at the end of the match, do so with heads held high with the knowledge you gave the best performance possible under the circumstances.
Good Luck Indians!
Update: The slipper did not fit.
A Cinderella team is one that surprises competition and fans alike by advancing further in a tournament than anyone anticipated they would or even could. The classic example of over achieving.
Underdog teams are thought of as being inferior to its opposition usually in both God-given ability and technical excellence. Perhaps the very definition of underachieving.
I suppose it is possible a team can fit in both categories, but then again, maybe not.
My son's team plays their first, and quite possibly only, tournament game tomorrow on the home pitch of a team that thumped them 1 - 4 just 16 days ago. They will enter this match as underdogs hoping to exit it as a Cinderella team.
As I searched the recesses of my mind for examples of teams who had found themselves in similar situations for my son and his teammates to draw inspiration from I kept running into coaching as being a constant in such stories. Cinderella teams tend to have great coaching that helps to propel them beyond expectations. Underdog teams often rise above inferior coaching when a perfect storm of circumstances conspire to allow them to overachieve beyond wildest expectations.
Therefore I am pretty sure my sons team should be depicted as an underdog team going into tomorrow nights match against Celina. Their rookie head coach and his rookie assistants have experienced a very steep learning curve this season. The team is lacking in basic fundamentals, especially from a tactical standpoint. Celina is a well coached technical team with a sound understanding of who they want to be tactically. Yeah, Shawnee is an underdog going into the match tomorrow night.
The question is, can they become a Cinderella team by the time the match is over?
That is going to depend on the players psychological approach to the match. If they step onto the pitch truly believing they can win, Shawnee will have a chance to do just that.
I am reminded of the 1989 NCAA basketball champion University of Michigan Wolverines. By all accounts they were underachievers throughout the season. When their coach decided to leave for Arizona at the conclusion of the season the legendary Bo Schembechler, then the schools athletic director, stepped in and famously said "A Michigan Man will coach this Michigan TEAM." He fired Bill Frieder on the spot and named assistant Steve Fisher the coach of the Wolverines for the NCAA tournament.
That Michigan team went on to win 6 straight games and the 1989 NCAA National Championship. In a sense they made the transition from Underdog to Cinderella.
Now, that 1989 Michigan team was loaded with future NBA talent. Why they underachieved throughout the regular season is open to debate. What is not open to debate is the stunning turnaround they made in the week leading up to their first game in the tournament.
Part of the answer can be found in quotes from the various players on that Michigan team. To paraphrase the collective, "We just went out and balled. No sets. No plays. It was just us playing ball."
If Shawnee is to be successful in transitioning from Underdog to Cinderella tomorrow night I think this is the attitude they must take - they just need to go out and play soccer. Will they find the type of bond the coaching change at Michigan forged for the Wolverines in 1989? I don't know if such a catalyst exists for the Indians. That's going to be their challenge. Can they unite and find the elusive team chemistry that can carry the day tomorrow?
They have nothing to lose and so nothing to fear.
My encouragement to these young men is to step onto the pitch and stand shoulder to shoulder in battling Celina tomorrow night. Have one anothers backs as players. Block all else out. When you walk off the field at the end of the match, do so with heads held high with the knowledge you gave the best performance possible under the circumstances.
Good Luck Indians!
Update: The slipper did not fit.
We are CHAMPIONS!
This is a take off on the youtube famous speech "I am a Champion." I personally prefer "we" over "I" as soccer is a team sport. Not that football isn't a team sport, but you get my point. I'm thinking of making a video of this. Might be fun. Might be useful. I will undoubtedly edit what I have written below many times to it make more my own before it gets to that point.
Gentleman,
I am honored to coach you. Today I am
more than honored to lead you onto the field of battle. Yet, there is a greater
honor to be earned this day. That honor is your response to this question.
Who are
we? …. WE ARE CHAMPIONs!
Yes! That is the thought, that is the BELIEF that
you need to carry with you throughout this game.
We
will conquer and not be conquered.
Defeat is not an option. We will BELIEVE in ourselves while others doubt
us. We will always uphold and honor the tradition of our team. We will honor
and respect the game we play and the team we are privileged to be a part of.
Who
are we? … WE ARE CHAMPIONS!
We
will acknowledge our that our opponents expect to win this game, but we will
never surrender. We have trained our minds, our bodies and our spirits until
there is no weakness that beats in our hearts. We look upon each other, our
families and this family we call TEAM. We will draw strength from and give strength
to one another.
We
look forward to entering the field of battle. We will walk confidently onto the
pitch and when the whistle blows we will announce our arrival with speed,
aggression and mobility. We will rip the heart from our opponents and take
their will to compete. They will be helpless to stop us.
Who
are we? …. WE ARE CHAMPIONS!
On
either side of me I have teammates. Trusted teammates who have been beside me through
thick and thin. Together we have
sacrificed, sweated, bled, cried and overcome to triumph.
Never
will we let one of our number falter.
Never will we allow one of us to fall
No one
will be left behind.
We
will fight together until we hell freezes over and then we will fight on the ice!
Our
opponent does not know our heart but he soon will and it will cower him.
Who
are we? …. WE ARE CHAMPIONS!!
No one
will defy us. No one will deny us. No one will tell us who or what we are.
We are
believers.
Belief
has moved mountains, founded countries and put a man on the moon.
Belief
is what makes us strong in the face of adversity. Belief is what brings us out
on top.
Who
are we? …. WE ARE CHAMPIONS!
Surrender.
Defeat. These words are not mine.
I do not know their meaning.
I do not know what mistakes are. I do not know what it means to have things go wrong.
I do not know what mistakes are. I do not know what it means to have things go wrong.
No
matter how bad things may seem my heart and mind will carry my body when my
limbs are too weak.
I only
understand adapting and overcoming! I
only understand Victory!
Who
are we? …. WE ARE CHAMPIONS!
Today. TODAY is
our day. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow . TODAY.
Right here. Right now. We protect what is ours and take what we want.
Who
are we? …. WE ARE CHAMPIONS!!
Legends
will be born today. History will be
made today.
We
will define ourselves. We will earn our praise. We will take our place in record
books.
We
will not stray from our intended course. We shall embrace our destiny and make
the future ours with every ounce of strength, determination and dedication we
have.
Because
who are we?
WE ARE
CHAMPIONS!
Saturday
Learning to Win
Many people would rather be certain they're miserable,
than risk being happy.
This is what I mean when writing about learning to win and how some seem more comfortable existing in an established comfort zone than breaking out to explore the entirety of the game... or life. I am reminded of Patrick Swazye's line from the movie Road House, "it's amazing what you can get used to, huh?"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)