Have you ever worked around somebody that didn't put on deodorant? How about talking with someone that has bad breath? It doesn't matter how great a person they are, you are always distracted by the smell. Eventually you move away from them because you don't feel comfortable around them.
That's how I feel about the phrase "winning isn't everything". It stinks. It's a cop out. It says to me that you aren't willing to work to be the best.
The problem is the concept is true in principle. There is more to life than always winning. Coaches that don't remember that fact get lost in the game. Parents that don't remember that fact become critical of the coaches and their athletes. Players that don't remember that fact are doomed to disappointment. In the larger scheme of things winning a state championship is an accomplishment that means very little by itself.
So, if winning isn't everything, what is? To me, learning how to be a winner is everything. It stays with you forever and is applicable in any circumstance.
When you're faced with getting an education but the road is hard, how do you win?
When your marriage is struggling, how do you win?
When you've done things you aren't proud of, how do you win?
When you watch your kids doing things that disappoint you, how do you win?
Winning a state championship may not be the pinnacle of all achievement but does that mean it isn't worth working toward? No. Accomplishing it is a training ground for learning how to win. If you consider the process of becoming a state champion, the title itself means very little but what it stands for means everything.
What does becoming a state champion mean to me?
1. You were willing to sacrifice to achieve your goal.
2. You faced the fear of failure and won.
3. You became strong physically, mentally and emotionally.
4. You worked with others.
5. You were dedicated and overcame obstacles.
So, winning isn't everything as long as you have trained yourself to become a winner. If you've left behind your old self and became a better, stronger person then winning the game is just a part of the process. But when a winner loses a game he figures out why and tries not to do it again. He may accept the loss but he doesn't accept losing. He may believe winning isn't everything but he never uses the phrase as a cop out.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
AN EYE OPENER
Every once in a while you see something or hear something that changes you in such a way that you look at the world differently. Last week I watched Joe Defranco's DVD called "Strong". From very humble beginnings he has built a reputation as someone that gets results. His philosophy is "if you have one more in you then you should do one more." His workouts are so tough that only the very motivated can complete them, yet, people travel from all over the world to train with him.
As I watched the movie, I expected to see a documentary on his training methods. Instead, I saw a documentary on his athletes. I saw tough minded people seeking out this coach because they wanted to be pushed. They wanted to win so bad that they were willing to put their bodies through workouts that pushed them to the edge of their abilities.
The results speak for themselves. All of his athletes had become successful. Joe said it best in one of his interviews. "When these kids come up against their opponent, they know the kid across from them couldn't survive the workouts they had to do. They know they are tougher and want it more. They know they are going to win."
One thing I noticed about all the atheltes is that they all were driven by their goals to achieve. They all had a reason to be there. When the workouts were at their worst the atheltes would remind each other that they wanted to be a champions. They wanted to work so hard that nobody could intimidate them.
The workouts this summer will be reflective of what I've learned. Instead of forcing all the atheltes to come in and work out I'll invite them to find the courage themselves.
As I watched the movie, I expected to see a documentary on his training methods. Instead, I saw a documentary on his athletes. I saw tough minded people seeking out this coach because they wanted to be pushed. They wanted to win so bad that they were willing to put their bodies through workouts that pushed them to the edge of their abilities.
The results speak for themselves. All of his athletes had become successful. Joe said it best in one of his interviews. "When these kids come up against their opponent, they know the kid across from them couldn't survive the workouts they had to do. They know they are tougher and want it more. They know they are going to win."
One thing I noticed about all the atheltes is that they all were driven by their goals to achieve. They all had a reason to be there. When the workouts were at their worst the atheltes would remind each other that they wanted to be a champions. They wanted to work so hard that nobody could intimidate them.
The workouts this summer will be reflective of what I've learned. Instead of forcing all the atheltes to come in and work out I'll invite them to find the courage themselves.
Friday, March 13, 2009
MISTAKES I'VE MADE
Everybody makes mistakes. It's part of the learning process. Although I wouldn't give up what I've learned over the past 5 years of being a head coach, I regret that the people I coached with and the kids had to go through the growing process with me.
1. Support the head coach. When I started coaching in Winslow I didn't do a very good job at this one. I thought the coach had some flaws that I had to personally point out to him. If I had to do it all over again I would assist the head coach more and criticize him less.
2. Don't take a job where the employer is desperate and you are the only applicant. I would never say that becoming a head coach when I did was a mistake but the circumstances could have been better. When the employer takes the time to search for a good candidate and you are the one they choose, the employer has to take responsibility for the choice they made. I will never forget the conversation I had with my administration when I was trying to make some improvements in the program and the reply was, "We did you a favor. Aren't you lucky to be a head coach at your age? Don't ask for so much."
3. Have a solid plan and then don't change too easily. I don't know if I could have avoided this mistake because of my inexperience but I think this is very important. This will be my third year in Snowflake. I'm going to put in a system that I believe will help us win. The problem is this will be the third different system I've introduced.
When I first came here I introduced the Wing-T that I had been running for 2 years at Winslow. The next year I saw the A-11 and was introduced it in an attempt to make up for some weaknesses I thought we had. I learned quickly that the A-11 wasn't going to work and switched back to the Wing-T. This year we are making changes that I believe will be my signature as a coach and I will stick with for a while.
Like I said, I wouldn't change the things I've learned because I think we will be at our best this year because of the changes, but I have to rebuild some of the trust I've lost because I seem to be ungrounded.
4. Don't put up with a lack of committment from the players. This one is simple. If an athlete doesn't want to put out 100% effort, train someone that will. I've spent a lot of time and effort trying to force kids to work hard. If I have a lazy senior and a hard working sophomore, I'm going to play the sophomore.
5. Communicate clear expectations to coaches and players. When I started coaching I assumed everyone, coaches and players, knew what to do and how to do it. Everyone wants direction and leadership from the leaders. Don't assume anything. If you want something done, it's up to the leader to make sure the expectations are communicated clearly.
I think above all I've learned that mistakes aren't fatal and if you approach them correctly you can improve yourself.
1. Support the head coach. When I started coaching in Winslow I didn't do a very good job at this one. I thought the coach had some flaws that I had to personally point out to him. If I had to do it all over again I would assist the head coach more and criticize him less.
2. Don't take a job where the employer is desperate and you are the only applicant. I would never say that becoming a head coach when I did was a mistake but the circumstances could have been better. When the employer takes the time to search for a good candidate and you are the one they choose, the employer has to take responsibility for the choice they made. I will never forget the conversation I had with my administration when I was trying to make some improvements in the program and the reply was, "We did you a favor. Aren't you lucky to be a head coach at your age? Don't ask for so much."
3. Have a solid plan and then don't change too easily. I don't know if I could have avoided this mistake because of my inexperience but I think this is very important. This will be my third year in Snowflake. I'm going to put in a system that I believe will help us win. The problem is this will be the third different system I've introduced.
When I first came here I introduced the Wing-T that I had been running for 2 years at Winslow. The next year I saw the A-11 and was introduced it in an attempt to make up for some weaknesses I thought we had. I learned quickly that the A-11 wasn't going to work and switched back to the Wing-T. This year we are making changes that I believe will be my signature as a coach and I will stick with for a while.
Like I said, I wouldn't change the things I've learned because I think we will be at our best this year because of the changes, but I have to rebuild some of the trust I've lost because I seem to be ungrounded.
4. Don't put up with a lack of committment from the players. This one is simple. If an athlete doesn't want to put out 100% effort, train someone that will. I've spent a lot of time and effort trying to force kids to work hard. If I have a lazy senior and a hard working sophomore, I'm going to play the sophomore.
5. Communicate clear expectations to coaches and players. When I started coaching I assumed everyone, coaches and players, knew what to do and how to do it. Everyone wants direction and leadership from the leaders. Don't assume anything. If you want something done, it's up to the leader to make sure the expectations are communicated clearly.
I think above all I've learned that mistakes aren't fatal and if you approach them correctly you can improve yourself.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
HOW DO I GO TO COLLEGE FOR FOOTBALL?
This is one of the best articles I've ever read on the recruiting process. Take a look!
http://magazine.stack.com/TheIssue/ArticleDraw.aspx?CID=5050
http://magazine.stack.com/TheIssue/ArticleDraw.aspx?CID=5050
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
SUREFIRE WAYS TO WIN
How do you win? It's the question that drives me. I've read books, gone to clinics and interviewed coaches to find ways to win. The more research I do the more I keep coming back to the same answer, "There are no secrets!"
You win because you are:
1. Disciplined
2. Talented in Leadership
3. Mentally Tough
4. Physically Prepared
There's no shortcuts. No special program. No magic pill. Just hard work and grit and committment.
At the beginning of every season Bobby Bowden would always tell his coaches, "If all things are equal, the team with the best talent and best leadership will win."
I used to always think that meant that if you trained leaders and had talent you would win but I was wrong. I had it exactly backwards. Bobby Bowden was telling his coaches to cover the basic keys to success so their good leaders and talented kids could do their jobs and win.
So what are the keys to success? I listed them above. Discipline, Talent in leadership, Mental toughness, and Physical preparation.
Discipline
I think discipline comes from a committment to excellence. You don't get sidetracked. You don't get distracted. You have a job to do and you do it regardless of what else happens. I believe you can teach discipline.
Talent in Leadership
In the end the kids have to play on the field and the leaders on the field are the ones that run the team. There's no mistaking a good leader. He takes the responsibility for those around him. He is passionate about accomplishing the task at hand. He motivates through possitive feedback and a sense of unity. He's committed. I believe you can teach leadership.
Mental Toughness
Mental toughness comes from sacrifice. It is the inability to give up because of a sense of confidence, ownership and committment.
Confidence comes because you know what to do and have done it well and you know you can do it again.
Ownership comes because you've put in the time to demand the respect of your opponent. You are a part of what is happening around you.
Committment comes as you are tested over and over and successfully keep your priorities in line. Every time an athlete works so hard that they have to ask themselves if it's worth it, they get a chance to develop toughness by answering "Yes!"
Physical Preparation
I believe physical preparation is the avenue to all the other keys to success. Not only can you train the body to play at a high level but you can also train the mind. Leadership is taught during physical preparation as the athletes work together and encourage and teach each other. Confidence comes as the athletes get stronger. Discipline comes from attending workouts on a regular basis. Mental toughness comes from completing tough workouts and then getting up the next morning when you are sore to do it again.
If you'll remember back to what Bobby Bowden said, "If all things are equal..." As a coach I am committed to improving in the "things" that will make us competitive with the best team in the state. As the other teams around us ask more of their kids we have to ask more from ours. This season will be the year to catch up and play with the big boys. We will be expecting more of them because we want them to be winners.
You win because you are:
1. Disciplined
2. Talented in Leadership
3. Mentally Tough
4. Physically Prepared
There's no shortcuts. No special program. No magic pill. Just hard work and grit and committment.
At the beginning of every season Bobby Bowden would always tell his coaches, "If all things are equal, the team with the best talent and best leadership will win."
I used to always think that meant that if you trained leaders and had talent you would win but I was wrong. I had it exactly backwards. Bobby Bowden was telling his coaches to cover the basic keys to success so their good leaders and talented kids could do their jobs and win.
So what are the keys to success? I listed them above. Discipline, Talent in leadership, Mental toughness, and Physical preparation.
Discipline
I think discipline comes from a committment to excellence. You don't get sidetracked. You don't get distracted. You have a job to do and you do it regardless of what else happens. I believe you can teach discipline.
Talent in Leadership
In the end the kids have to play on the field and the leaders on the field are the ones that run the team. There's no mistaking a good leader. He takes the responsibility for those around him. He is passionate about accomplishing the task at hand. He motivates through possitive feedback and a sense of unity. He's committed. I believe you can teach leadership.
Mental Toughness
Mental toughness comes from sacrifice. It is the inability to give up because of a sense of confidence, ownership and committment.
Confidence comes because you know what to do and have done it well and you know you can do it again.
Ownership comes because you've put in the time to demand the respect of your opponent. You are a part of what is happening around you.
Committment comes as you are tested over and over and successfully keep your priorities in line. Every time an athlete works so hard that they have to ask themselves if it's worth it, they get a chance to develop toughness by answering "Yes!"
Physical Preparation
I believe physical preparation is the avenue to all the other keys to success. Not only can you train the body to play at a high level but you can also train the mind. Leadership is taught during physical preparation as the athletes work together and encourage and teach each other. Confidence comes as the athletes get stronger. Discipline comes from attending workouts on a regular basis. Mental toughness comes from completing tough workouts and then getting up the next morning when you are sore to do it again.
If you'll remember back to what Bobby Bowden said, "If all things are equal..." As a coach I am committed to improving in the "things" that will make us competitive with the best team in the state. As the other teams around us ask more of their kids we have to ask more from ours. This season will be the year to catch up and play with the big boys. We will be expecting more of them because we want them to be winners.
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