One of the things that most of us struggle with are bouts of selfishness. It is counter-intuitive to put others before ourselves. In this struggle it is easy to forget about where we really stand on the totem pole.
It is important that we stay away from thinking, "What I am doing only affects me. It shouldn't be anyone elses concern." This statement can be said regarding a lot of things in which the severity differs: practice habits, school work, behavior in the classroom and at home, smoking, alcohol, drugs...you get the idea. What we do and say has a rippling effect. Everyone has thrown a rock into a body of water. The individual is the spot where the rock hits the water, the size of the rock is our behaviors and actions. It doesn't matter how big or small the rock is, there are still ripples, and those ripples can travel quite a distance.
Anyone who has played for me has heard me say this at one time or another, and will probably hear me say it again, "As individuals we are not at the top of the totem pole. Everything we do effects others." At Helias our totem pole should look similar to this (from top to bottom): God, Family, Helias High School, Helias Softball Team, then Ourselves. We represent a whole lot more than just ourselves. There really is no choice in where we truly lie on the totem pole, although many are selfish and put themselves on the top which only leads to a certain fall for the individual and ultimately the team.
If we have a servant attitude, putting others above ourselves, there are few limits as to what a team can accomplish.
"Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others." Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Helias Softball Team Prayer
God help us to be a TEAM ribbed with the steel of Your Holy Spirit...to not flinch when the battle is fiercest..to not acquiesce, nor compromise, nor fade when the enemy rages.
God help us to be a TEAM that can't be bought, bartered, or badgered by the enemy, to be those who will pay the price, make the sacrifice, stand the ground, and hold the torch high.
God help us to be a TEAM obsessed with the principles true to Your word, to be stripped of self-seeking and yearn for security...Help us to be a TEAM that will pay any price for freedom and go any length for truth.
God help us to be a TEAM delivered from mediocrity, to be a TEAM with vision high, pride low, faith wide, love deep, and patience long...to be a TEAM that dares to march to the beat of a distant drummer, to be a TEAM who will not surrender principles of truth in order to accommodate their peers.
God help us to be a TEAM more interested in scars than medals, more committed to conviction than convenience, a TEAM that will give their life for the eternal, instead of indulging their lives for a moment in time.
God help us to be a TEAM that is fearless in the face of danger, calm in the midst of pressure, bold in the midst of opposition.
God help us to be a TEAM that will pray earnestly, work long, preach clearly, and wait patiently.
God help us to be a TEAM whose walk is by faith, whose behavior is by principle, whose dreams are in heaven, and whose book is the Bible.
God help us to be a TEAM that is equal to the task. This is the TEAM we want to be, help us be that TEAM.
-Adapted from the writing of an Unknown Author
God help us to be a TEAM that can't be bought, bartered, or badgered by the enemy, to be those who will pay the price, make the sacrifice, stand the ground, and hold the torch high.
God help us to be a TEAM obsessed with the principles true to Your word, to be stripped of self-seeking and yearn for security...Help us to be a TEAM that will pay any price for freedom and go any length for truth.
God help us to be a TEAM delivered from mediocrity, to be a TEAM with vision high, pride low, faith wide, love deep, and patience long...to be a TEAM that dares to march to the beat of a distant drummer, to be a TEAM who will not surrender principles of truth in order to accommodate their peers.
God help us to be a TEAM more interested in scars than medals, more committed to conviction than convenience, a TEAM that will give their life for the eternal, instead of indulging their lives for a moment in time.
God help us to be a TEAM that is fearless in the face of danger, calm in the midst of pressure, bold in the midst of opposition.
God help us to be a TEAM that will pray earnestly, work long, preach clearly, and wait patiently.
God help us to be a TEAM whose walk is by faith, whose behavior is by principle, whose dreams are in heaven, and whose book is the Bible.
God help us to be a TEAM that is equal to the task. This is the TEAM we want to be, help us be that TEAM.
-Adapted from the writing of an Unknown Author
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Player's Perspective: Being a Clutch Player
This is a player's perspective entry by Lindsey LeCuru. I asked her to consider the following questions and write a response from her perspective:
What is your definition of a clutch player?
I think a clutch player is someone that the whole team can rely on to do their job, and that teammates can look up to in difficult situations. Being a clutch player doesn't mean you have to get big hits every time you're at the plate, it's the key hits that matter. A sacrifice bunt that moves a runner from second to third is just as good as hitting a home run in some cases, because then the next batter might just get a hit to score that person in. A great coach once told me "I want you to cheer for them when they strike out as loud as you would when they get a home run." I think that's a good piece of advice, because not everyone is going to get a hit every game, but if your teammates help you when you're down you're more likely to get a hit the next time rather than striking out.
When you are in a clutch situation, what is going on in your head? What gives you your confidence?
Personally, I just try to concentrate on the ball. Not anything going on in the stands or the field. I just do what my coach tells me and try my best. My confidence comes from me knowing that I'm going to do the best I can no matter what it takes.
If you do not succeed in a clutch situation, does it destroy you or encourage you to be even better the next time? Explain your thoughts.
If I would happen to strike out instead of hitting the game winning run in, I try to stay positive instead of bringing the whole team down. Sure, I might be upset but I try to take that and build that frustration into determination to get a hit the next time.
If the game is on the line, do you want to be the one at the plate, or the one that the ball is hit to? Why?
I think it could be either way. If you're in the field and you make the winning catch or you throw the person out to win the game, it's a feeling like no other. But offensively if you get the winning hit is awesome too. I think either way you're going to have the same amount of pressure to do good. You should just try your best and do the things you were taught and hope it works out in the end. If you happen to mess up it's ok. One mistake is not going to change your softball career, even thought most people think it will. Just have fun and don't worry about what people will think. Can't wait for HHS SOFTBALL '08!! :)
-Lindsey LeCuru
What is your definition of a clutch player?
I think a clutch player is someone that the whole team can rely on to do their job, and that teammates can look up to in difficult situations. Being a clutch player doesn't mean you have to get big hits every time you're at the plate, it's the key hits that matter. A sacrifice bunt that moves a runner from second to third is just as good as hitting a home run in some cases, because then the next batter might just get a hit to score that person in. A great coach once told me "I want you to cheer for them when they strike out as loud as you would when they get a home run." I think that's a good piece of advice, because not everyone is going to get a hit every game, but if your teammates help you when you're down you're more likely to get a hit the next time rather than striking out.
When you are in a clutch situation, what is going on in your head? What gives you your confidence?
Personally, I just try to concentrate on the ball. Not anything going on in the stands or the field. I just do what my coach tells me and try my best. My confidence comes from me knowing that I'm going to do the best I can no matter what it takes.
If you do not succeed in a clutch situation, does it destroy you or encourage you to be even better the next time? Explain your thoughts.
If I would happen to strike out instead of hitting the game winning run in, I try to stay positive instead of bringing the whole team down. Sure, I might be upset but I try to take that and build that frustration into determination to get a hit the next time.
If the game is on the line, do you want to be the one at the plate, or the one that the ball is hit to? Why?
I think it could be either way. If you're in the field and you make the winning catch or you throw the person out to win the game, it's a feeling like no other. But offensively if you get the winning hit is awesome too. I think either way you're going to have the same amount of pressure to do good. You should just try your best and do the things you were taught and hope it works out in the end. If you happen to mess up it's ok. One mistake is not going to change your softball career, even thought most people think it will. Just have fun and don't worry about what people will think. Can't wait for HHS SOFTBALL '08!! :)
-Lindsey LeCuru
Player's Perspective: Playing with Confidence
This is a player's perspective entry by McKenzie Hamacher. I asked her to consider the following questions and write a response from her perspective:
What gives you confidence when you are in a game?
What gives me confidence in the game is all the hard work and hours I spend in the off-season preparing myself for the upcoming season. Knowing that I have done this gives me the confidence and desire to be the best that I can be. Also, the support of my teammates and positive atmosphere of the crowd/coaches gives me extra support.
What type of demeanor do you try to have when you are on the field in order to keep yourself and your team positive and confident?
I always try to keep calm, positive, and have a confident demeanor during the game, even when things are not going my way. For example, whenever the umpires aren’t making the calls that I want I try to stay positive and adjust my game and attitude. Don’t wear your emotions on your sleeve as it will filter into your game performance. One bad attitude on the field can tear a team apart in no time.
When you make a mistake during the game, how do you put it behind you so that it does not affect the rest of your game?
I always try to learn from my mistakes. During a game whenever I make an error/throw a bad pitch -- I have to move on and stay positive so that the next play/pitch can be successful. I never really put the mistake behind me, I just put it out of my mind until after the game where I can work on the problem and hopefully correct it. I feel that one mistake isn’t going to ruin a whole game, and you have to rely on the rest of your teammates to be supportive. You need to learn from your mistakes but don’t let it affect your game.
I think if we “all” work hard this season, stay focused on our goals and
find confidence in our game -- we will be successful in 2008! Go Helias
softball!!!
-McKenzie Hamacher
What gives you confidence when you are in a game?
What gives me confidence in the game is all the hard work and hours I spend in the off-season preparing myself for the upcoming season. Knowing that I have done this gives me the confidence and desire to be the best that I can be. Also, the support of my teammates and positive atmosphere of the crowd/coaches gives me extra support.
What type of demeanor do you try to have when you are on the field in order to keep yourself and your team positive and confident?
I always try to keep calm, positive, and have a confident demeanor during the game, even when things are not going my way. For example, whenever the umpires aren’t making the calls that I want I try to stay positive and adjust my game and attitude. Don’t wear your emotions on your sleeve as it will filter into your game performance. One bad attitude on the field can tear a team apart in no time.
When you make a mistake during the game, how do you put it behind you so that it does not affect the rest of your game?
I always try to learn from my mistakes. During a game whenever I make an error/throw a bad pitch -- I have to move on and stay positive so that the next play/pitch can be successful. I never really put the mistake behind me, I just put it out of my mind until after the game where I can work on the problem and hopefully correct it. I feel that one mistake isn’t going to ruin a whole game, and you have to rely on the rest of your teammates to be supportive. You need to learn from your mistakes but don’t let it affect your game.
I think if we “all” work hard this season, stay focused on our goals and
find confidence in our game -- we will be successful in 2008! Go Helias
softball!!!
-McKenzie Hamacher
Monday, January 21, 2008
Player's Perspective: Role of a Leader
This is a player's perspective entry by Jill Rackers. I asked her to consider the following questions and write a response from her perspective:
What makes being a leader on a team difficult?
What, in your opinion, are the most important attributes of a leader?
I think that the most important thing a leader can do is lead by example on and off the field. No matter if you are sore, hurt, have a headache, losing the game, sitting on the bench, or what kind of mood they are in, they must stay positive. They also must respect the coach at all times and treat all players equally no matter what grade they are in or their level of ability. They have to be able to interact and get along with all personality types. They must also trust the coach and be able to talk to them about problems on the team, and know that he will take them seriously and try to help them out. For example, we need to take our workouts seriously so we can get better and stronger. A leader must encourage and push others on the team to do their best. They must have confidence in themselves and the other players on the team. Leaders must want to get better and want the team to succeed all the time.
Has any coach ever tried to develop you as a leader, if so how?
One of my summer coaches once made the comment, "If you are not up, the team is not up. Accept your role." This made me realize that other teammates were watching and followed my example. From then on I have always tried to stay enthusiastic and stay positive in order to encourage the rest of the team to do the same.
I am looking forward to next season and can't wait to start working out with the team. I LOVE SOFTBALL!!!!!!
-Jill Rackers
What makes being a leader on a team difficult?
What, in your opinion, are the most important attributes of a leader?
I think that the most important thing a leader can do is lead by example on and off the field. No matter if you are sore, hurt, have a headache, losing the game, sitting on the bench, or what kind of mood they are in, they must stay positive. They also must respect the coach at all times and treat all players equally no matter what grade they are in or their level of ability. They have to be able to interact and get along with all personality types. They must also trust the coach and be able to talk to them about problems on the team, and know that he will take them seriously and try to help them out. For example, we need to take our workouts seriously so we can get better and stronger. A leader must encourage and push others on the team to do their best. They must have confidence in themselves and the other players on the team. Leaders must want to get better and want the team to succeed all the time.
Has any coach ever tried to develop you as a leader, if so how?
One of my summer coaches once made the comment, "If you are not up, the team is not up. Accept your role." This made me realize that other teammates were watching and followed my example. From then on I have always tried to stay enthusiastic and stay positive in order to encourage the rest of the team to do the same.
I am looking forward to next season and can't wait to start working out with the team. I LOVE SOFTBALL!!!!!!
-Jill Rackers
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Player's Perspective: Personality of a Team
This is a player's perspective entry by Danielle Tobar. I asked her to consider the following questions and write a response from her perspective:
As a player the most difficult part of being on a team is……. And why?
In your opinion, what makes a team bad, dysfunctional, or one that does not play up to its ability or expectations?
In your opinion, what makes a team great and able to play up to and often beyond its ability or expectations?
I think that the hardest part of being on a team is balancing your desire to win between your team and yourself. Even though we all want to do well and show our skills, we also have to do what's best for the team. Sometimes a player must suffer for the good of the team no matter how much they resent the decisions made. I also think that eventually every player decides for themselves, as a teammate, and always chooses one or the other. Teammates know who plays for themselves and who plays for the team and that's a big part of a functional team. I think to be a good, winning team everyone has to be willing to give up their own glory. That's why teams are dysfunctional, when everyone is only looking out for themselves. I also think a team has problems when players can't take criticism or blame for mistakes. It's ok to say "sorry that was my fault," not "it was all the umpires or the catcher or runner's fault." I think that shows cocky-ness when you can't just admit you messed up. I think to play beyond expectations all players must do that. Also, cheering for fellow teammates is a big part. Showing unity both on and off the field creates a family. Everyone knows someone always has their back, and we can trust that everyone will do their part on the field.
-Danielle Tobar
As a player the most difficult part of being on a team is……. And why?
In your opinion, what makes a team bad, dysfunctional, or one that does not play up to its ability or expectations?
In your opinion, what makes a team great and able to play up to and often beyond its ability or expectations?
I think that the hardest part of being on a team is balancing your desire to win between your team and yourself. Even though we all want to do well and show our skills, we also have to do what's best for the team. Sometimes a player must suffer for the good of the team no matter how much they resent the decisions made. I also think that eventually every player decides for themselves, as a teammate, and always chooses one or the other. Teammates know who plays for themselves and who plays for the team and that's a big part of a functional team. I think to be a good, winning team everyone has to be willing to give up their own glory. That's why teams are dysfunctional, when everyone is only looking out for themselves. I also think a team has problems when players can't take criticism or blame for mistakes. It's ok to say "sorry that was my fault," not "it was all the umpires or the catcher or runner's fault." I think that shows cocky-ness when you can't just admit you messed up. I think to play beyond expectations all players must do that. Also, cheering for fellow teammates is a big part. Showing unity both on and off the field creates a family. Everyone knows someone always has their back, and we can trust that everyone will do their part on the field.
-Danielle Tobar
Greatest Asset or Worst Enemy
When we tend to think about strengths and weaknesses of players we see lists such as: arm strength, bat speed, power, speed, fieldwork. If coaches are good then commitment, attitude, confidence, work ethic, all make the list as well. There is an item, a tool, that every athlete has that most people fail to look at.
Each and every person on a team, the coaches, players, parents, and fans included, all have a tool that is so powerful it can lead to either great success or the absolute downfall of a team. The tool I am referring to is the tongue.
Have you ever heard the crowd behind you cheering their loudest, your teammates standing and showing their support for you, and your coaches looking to you with the utmost confidence? How did you feel? Most people describe this situation as one that delivers a massive amount of energy, providing confidence to spare and clarity of mind.
Now, have you ever heard grumbling from the crowd because of a bad call, disagreement with a coach's decision, or a player making an error? Have you been at the plate and your teammates are consoling the batter before you who came into the dugout throwing a tantrum because they struck out? Have you been in a situation where the coach just hopes that the pitcher will walk a batter or that the defense will make a mistake so that the batter will make it to base? How did you feel? I would imagine you would feel completely drained. If you get sucked into the bitter talk that surrounds you, you may not even care what happens. If we had the choice of which scenario we were going to perform in, I am sure it would be an obvious one.
Most of the time we are so quick to speak without taking the time to filter our thoughts and emotions. Unfortunately it takes a lot of positive words to build a person up, but only one misplaced word to destroy a person. As an athlete it is easy to concentrate on what we can do physically to make ourselves and our team better. Physical readiness and training becomes much more beneficial, and even enjoyable at times, if you are operating in an environment of support, enthusiasm, trust, honesty, and loyalty. Choose to use your tongue to encourage, build confidence, and lovingly hold accountable those on your team. Choose NOT to complain, put down, discourage, sulk, or use any words or tone that would tear down your teammates, coaches, parents, or administration, as they are all part of the team.
The book of Proverbs, in the Bible, has many great words of wisdom. Many of the proverbs are focused on our speech. Here is one of my favorites:
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" Proverbs 12:18
Choose to bring healing through words of strength, support and encouragement. You will be amazed at the difference it will bring to all facets of your team!
Each and every person on a team, the coaches, players, parents, and fans included, all have a tool that is so powerful it can lead to either great success or the absolute downfall of a team. The tool I am referring to is the tongue.
Have you ever heard the crowd behind you cheering their loudest, your teammates standing and showing their support for you, and your coaches looking to you with the utmost confidence? How did you feel? Most people describe this situation as one that delivers a massive amount of energy, providing confidence to spare and clarity of mind.
Now, have you ever heard grumbling from the crowd because of a bad call, disagreement with a coach's decision, or a player making an error? Have you been at the plate and your teammates are consoling the batter before you who came into the dugout throwing a tantrum because they struck out? Have you been in a situation where the coach just hopes that the pitcher will walk a batter or that the defense will make a mistake so that the batter will make it to base? How did you feel? I would imagine you would feel completely drained. If you get sucked into the bitter talk that surrounds you, you may not even care what happens. If we had the choice of which scenario we were going to perform in, I am sure it would be an obvious one.
Most of the time we are so quick to speak without taking the time to filter our thoughts and emotions. Unfortunately it takes a lot of positive words to build a person up, but only one misplaced word to destroy a person. As an athlete it is easy to concentrate on what we can do physically to make ourselves and our team better. Physical readiness and training becomes much more beneficial, and even enjoyable at times, if you are operating in an environment of support, enthusiasm, trust, honesty, and loyalty. Choose to use your tongue to encourage, build confidence, and lovingly hold accountable those on your team. Choose NOT to complain, put down, discourage, sulk, or use any words or tone that would tear down your teammates, coaches, parents, or administration, as they are all part of the team.
The book of Proverbs, in the Bible, has many great words of wisdom. Many of the proverbs are focused on our speech. Here is one of my favorites:
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" Proverbs 12:18
Choose to bring healing through words of strength, support and encouragement. You will be amazed at the difference it will bring to all facets of your team!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Building Confidence
Confidence...I have heard all sorts of comments regarding confidence. Things like, "She just isn't a confident person," or, "He is our go to player. He has all the confidence in the world." Confidence is not wholly a personality trait. Some people do not have to work as hard to be self-confident, but there is no rule that says that you either have it or you don't.
Confidence is BELIEVING that our ability and preparation is greater than, or at least equal to, the task at hand. So many times we find athletes with all of the ability in the world, but in pressure situations they crack. It is not just "bad luck" that causes this. The dedicated athlete thinks that if they just practice harder things will turn around. Most likely the problem is not with the physical training, but with the mental training. So, the key is to help the athletes focus their attention on building belief in their abilities. Making that the highest priority while at the same time minimizing the situation. It is easy to have confidence when nothing is on the line. Players minds become over-complicated when everything is on the line. Does the player's ability change based on the situation? NO! The only thing that changes is their mindset. Players have to get to a state where their belief in themselves overrides any situation they may be in.
An important step in building confidence is to Focus on Strengths. Every athlete has strengths, both physical and mental. Focusing one's mind on all of the talents and abilities one has to offer puts the mind in a state prepared for success. The mind is a powerful instrument. If a payer goes to the plate thinking, "Don't strike out, don't strike out," striking out is what they are thinking about and there is a good chance it will happen. If a player thinks "Hit the ball up the middle, hit the ball up the middle," the focus of their thoughts is getting a hit and although they cannot control the result, the player can control putting good CONFIDENT swings on the ball. Take time to focus on strengths before every athletic performance.
Another important step is to Focus on Past Successes. Every athlete has had a performance, or performances where everything was clicking. Some people say not to live in the past. While I agree, I think the past is a powerful tool. Taking past successes and living them out again in your mind reminds a player of what they are capable of. This helps to build confidence as well as giving players a reference point of success. If they were successful then, then why not now!
Emphasize Quality Practices. Practice for practice sake is a waste of time. It is exhausting mentally and physically if practices are made to fit a time schedule. Practice is a time to emphasize fundamentals, fine tune skills, learn, but most importantly to increase teamwork and self-confidence. There should always be a purpose and a plan to each practice. Does that mean no more repetitious drills, NO, repetition is key to success. It means not continuing a drill when players have shown that they are flawless. It also means not stopping a drill that players have not yet completed the task on because the allotted time for that drill is up. Quality practices ensure that players are prepared when it is game time.
Another way to build confidence in a player is Praise. Praise is a great tool to build confidence. Each coach has to play to his personality, but praise goes a long way. It needs to be said though that there is a time and place to confront players sternly. But, if players feel that the coaches are always on them and that the coaches never say anything positive.....that players confidence is going to be down, and when the team needs the player to perform, they may not have the confidence in themselves to succeed.
It is important that the development of confidence take place in every player. If you know of any ways to build confidence, or if you have something that helps you to be confident, please share it with the rest of us.
Confidence is BELIEVING that our ability and preparation is greater than, or at least equal to, the task at hand. So many times we find athletes with all of the ability in the world, but in pressure situations they crack. It is not just "bad luck" that causes this. The dedicated athlete thinks that if they just practice harder things will turn around. Most likely the problem is not with the physical training, but with the mental training. So, the key is to help the athletes focus their attention on building belief in their abilities. Making that the highest priority while at the same time minimizing the situation. It is easy to have confidence when nothing is on the line. Players minds become over-complicated when everything is on the line. Does the player's ability change based on the situation? NO! The only thing that changes is their mindset. Players have to get to a state where their belief in themselves overrides any situation they may be in.
An important step in building confidence is to Focus on Strengths. Every athlete has strengths, both physical and mental. Focusing one's mind on all of the talents and abilities one has to offer puts the mind in a state prepared for success. The mind is a powerful instrument. If a payer goes to the plate thinking, "Don't strike out, don't strike out," striking out is what they are thinking about and there is a good chance it will happen. If a player thinks "Hit the ball up the middle, hit the ball up the middle," the focus of their thoughts is getting a hit and although they cannot control the result, the player can control putting good CONFIDENT swings on the ball. Take time to focus on strengths before every athletic performance.
Another important step is to Focus on Past Successes. Every athlete has had a performance, or performances where everything was clicking. Some people say not to live in the past. While I agree, I think the past is a powerful tool. Taking past successes and living them out again in your mind reminds a player of what they are capable of. This helps to build confidence as well as giving players a reference point of success. If they were successful then, then why not now!
Emphasize Quality Practices. Practice for practice sake is a waste of time. It is exhausting mentally and physically if practices are made to fit a time schedule. Practice is a time to emphasize fundamentals, fine tune skills, learn, but most importantly to increase teamwork and self-confidence. There should always be a purpose and a plan to each practice. Does that mean no more repetitious drills, NO, repetition is key to success. It means not continuing a drill when players have shown that they are flawless. It also means not stopping a drill that players have not yet completed the task on because the allotted time for that drill is up. Quality practices ensure that players are prepared when it is game time.
Another way to build confidence in a player is Praise. Praise is a great tool to build confidence. Each coach has to play to his personality, but praise goes a long way. It needs to be said though that there is a time and place to confront players sternly. But, if players feel that the coaches are always on them and that the coaches never say anything positive.....that players confidence is going to be down, and when the team needs the player to perform, they may not have the confidence in themselves to succeed.
It is important that the development of confidence take place in every player. If you know of any ways to build confidence, or if you have something that helps you to be confident, please share it with the rest of us.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
True Commitment
Read the following story that was printed in Sports Illustrated and watch the video that goes along with it. I am sure that you will be touched by the story itself, but I want to relate the Hoyts' story to commitment. I will make my comments after the story and video.
A Father's Love
[From Sports Illustrated, By Rick Reilly]
I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay For their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.
But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.
Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in Marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a Wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and Pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.
Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back Mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. On a bike. Makes Taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?
And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester , Mass. , 43 years ago, when Rick Was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him Brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;'' Dick says doctors told him And his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. ``Put him in an Institution.''
But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes Followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the Engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was Anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told. ``There's nothing going on in his brain.''
"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a Lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed Him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his Head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? ``Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the School organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, ``Dad, I want To do that.''
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran More than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he Tried. ``Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. ``I was sore For two weeks.''
That day changed Rick's life. ``Dad,'' he typed, ``when we were running, It felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''
And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly Shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.
``No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a Single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few Years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then They found a way to get into the race Officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the Qualifying time for Boston the following year.
Then somebody said, ``Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''
How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he Was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick Tried.
Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii . It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud Getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you Think?
Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says. Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with A cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.
This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best Time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world Record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to Be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the Time.
``No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.''
And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a Mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries Was 95% clogged. ``If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' One doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.'' So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.
Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass. , always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.
That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.
``The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, ``is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''
And the video is below....
Too often commitment is related to the time and energy an individual spends to show that they are dedicated to the team. The Hoyts' story shows a greater, more appropriate definition of commitment. Dick Hoyt refers to himself as a "porker" with really no reason to change, but he became committed to getting into better shape. Dick did not make this commitment for any personal reason, but to serve his son. Dick was committed to do whatever it took to make his family better, to provide his son Rick the greatest joy he could offer him.
A Father's Love
[From Sports Illustrated, By Rick Reilly]
I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay For their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.
But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.
Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in Marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a Wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and Pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.
Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back Mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. On a bike. Makes Taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?
And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester , Mass. , 43 years ago, when Rick Was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him Brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;'' Dick says doctors told him And his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. ``Put him in an Institution.''
But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes Followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the Engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was Anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told. ``There's nothing going on in his brain.''
"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a Lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed Him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his Head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? ``Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the School organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, ``Dad, I want To do that.''
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran More than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he Tried. ``Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. ``I was sore For two weeks.''
That day changed Rick's life. ``Dad,'' he typed, ``when we were running, It felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''
And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly Shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.
``No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a Single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few Years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then They found a way to get into the race Officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the Qualifying time for Boston the following year.
Then somebody said, ``Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''
How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he Was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick Tried.
Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii . It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud Getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you Think?
Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says. Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with A cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.
This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best Time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world Record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to Be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the Time.
``No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.''
And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a Mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries Was 95% clogged. ``If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' One doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.'' So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.
Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass. , always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.
That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.
``The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, ``is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''
And the video is below....
Too often commitment is related to the time and energy an individual spends to show that they are dedicated to the team. The Hoyts' story shows a greater, more appropriate definition of commitment. Dick Hoyt refers to himself as a "porker" with really no reason to change, but he became committed to getting into better shape. Dick did not make this commitment for any personal reason, but to serve his son. Dick was committed to do whatever it took to make his family better, to provide his son Rick the greatest joy he could offer him.
Commitment is dedicating one's self to do all that they can to make their team better. Pushing themselves past the pain of off-season workouts and practices, so that when their team needs them most they are prepared both mentally and physically to perform. When every member of the team is committed, limits are stretched, the impossible becomes possible, and championships are won.
Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. Vince Lombardi
Monday, January 7, 2008
Team First vs. Me First
The trend in athletics today is typically one of selfishness and individual attention. There is rarely an exception to the rule, but in the recent Cotton Bowl I was pleasantly surprised. I am always impressed by athletes who, when put in the spotlight, can put the focus on their teammates. Tony Temple of the Missouri Tigers football team is one such player. I found myself in awe of his post-game interview comments. Not only did he take the focus off of himself and put it on his teammates, but he also thanked God. Here are the post game interview notes:
Q. Tony, do you have any words to describe how big the holes were? The Arkansas coach said you were running on air.
TONY TEMPLE: Man, I can't give enough credit to my offensive line. First of all, I want to thank God. I want to thank God first of all before I get started. That offensive line did a great job. You saw it in their eyes all game. I just continued looking at them, saying, "Let's go, let's go. You can't say enough about them.
Q. Tony, a year ago you came pretty close to getting MVP trophy after another great game. Compare and contrast how different this feeling is compared to a year ago.
TONY TEMPLE: Well, definitely we got the W, and that's what matters the most. I mean, I can have all the records in the world, but if my team's not winning I don't care about the records. I'm just so happy that we can walk out of here. We leave a great legacy going on here. I'm just happy that we got the win.
Q. Tony, about being carried off the field, what happened? Did you tweak it even more going into the end zone? Can you describe the feeling of having those guys carry you off?
TONY TEMPLE: That's the definition of our family. Our team is a family atmosphere out there. They don't want our guys to go down. Like my offensive line, they've been supporting me and helping me this whole year. I mean, yeah, I tweaked it a little bit going in (smiling).
Q. I saw you whisper to your coach, who is Dicky Maegle. How does it feel to be in such legendary company?
TONY TEMPLE: Man, it's a great feeling. Just happy that our team won, we got the opportunity to do that. But, I mean, honestly, it really comes down to Chase and my wide receivers and my tight ends. They've been setting it up all year for this. Like coach said, Arkansas, they came with a great plan to stop our passing game. I'm just doing my job, doing what I'm supposed to do. That's what it comes down to.
A "Me First" attitude is much easier to find. Below is a video of Hope Solo, a goalie on the U.S. Women's Soccer Team. Hope was told that she would not start a game in the last World Cup, a game in which the team ended up losing. Her tirade after the game is an unfortunate, but fantastic example of a selfish player. Watch the video and see the difference between Tony Temple's comments and Hope Solo's comments.
As a player, or coach, which player would you rather have on your team? Tony Temple gave credit and praise to his offensive line. His appreciation was heard loud and clear by those men on the line, and I am sure that they would work even harder for the team, and even Tony's, success after hearing his praises of their work. Hope Solo questioned her coaches publicly and made derogatory comments about a teammate in a very public forum. These kind of actions are severely damaging to a team.
Tony says it well when he describes his team as a family. Teammates should always be looking after each other. Will there be disagreements....sure there will be, but teammates functioning as a family find ways to address issues privately, so as not to negatively affect the entire team. Tony is a great present day example of a true "Team First" player.
This is the struggle every leader faces: how to get members of the team who are driven by the quest for individual glory to give themselves over wholeheartedly to the group effort. In other words, how to teach them selflessness. Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the "me" for the "we." Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers Coach
Q. Tony, do you have any words to describe how big the holes were? The Arkansas coach said you were running on air.
TONY TEMPLE: Man, I can't give enough credit to my offensive line. First of all, I want to thank God. I want to thank God first of all before I get started. That offensive line did a great job. You saw it in their eyes all game. I just continued looking at them, saying, "Let's go, let's go. You can't say enough about them.
Q. Tony, a year ago you came pretty close to getting MVP trophy after another great game. Compare and contrast how different this feeling is compared to a year ago.
TONY TEMPLE: Well, definitely we got the W, and that's what matters the most. I mean, I can have all the records in the world, but if my team's not winning I don't care about the records. I'm just so happy that we can walk out of here. We leave a great legacy going on here. I'm just happy that we got the win.
Q. Tony, about being carried off the field, what happened? Did you tweak it even more going into the end zone? Can you describe the feeling of having those guys carry you off?
TONY TEMPLE: That's the definition of our family. Our team is a family atmosphere out there. They don't want our guys to go down. Like my offensive line, they've been supporting me and helping me this whole year. I mean, yeah, I tweaked it a little bit going in (smiling).
Q. I saw you whisper to your coach, who is Dicky Maegle. How does it feel to be in such legendary company?
TONY TEMPLE: Man, it's a great feeling. Just happy that our team won, we got the opportunity to do that. But, I mean, honestly, it really comes down to Chase and my wide receivers and my tight ends. They've been setting it up all year for this. Like coach said, Arkansas, they came with a great plan to stop our passing game. I'm just doing my job, doing what I'm supposed to do. That's what it comes down to.
A "Me First" attitude is much easier to find. Below is a video of Hope Solo, a goalie on the U.S. Women's Soccer Team. Hope was told that she would not start a game in the last World Cup, a game in which the team ended up losing. Her tirade after the game is an unfortunate, but fantastic example of a selfish player. Watch the video and see the difference between Tony Temple's comments and Hope Solo's comments.
As a player, or coach, which player would you rather have on your team? Tony Temple gave credit and praise to his offensive line. His appreciation was heard loud and clear by those men on the line, and I am sure that they would work even harder for the team, and even Tony's, success after hearing his praises of their work. Hope Solo questioned her coaches publicly and made derogatory comments about a teammate in a very public forum. These kind of actions are severely damaging to a team.
Tony says it well when he describes his team as a family. Teammates should always be looking after each other. Will there be disagreements....sure there will be, but teammates functioning as a family find ways to address issues privately, so as not to negatively affect the entire team. Tony is a great present day example of a true "Team First" player.
This is the struggle every leader faces: how to get members of the team who are driven by the quest for individual glory to give themselves over wholeheartedly to the group effort. In other words, how to teach them selflessness. Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the "me" for the "we." Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers Coach
Sunday, January 6, 2008
MythBusters: Myth #3 Helias Softball Will Win a State Championship in 2008
This post is a tad selfish, as it relates to a team that I work with, but whether you are part of Helias softball or not this post may still hold some relevance for you.
What does it take to win a state championship? What are the necessary components a team must have in order to be a championship team?
The Physical:
Pitching- It is essential to be able to put the ball over the plate, but the person behind the ball has to be more than a strike throwing machine. They have to be smart, resilient, persistent, calm, and have the confidence of a center-stage performer.....because on the softball field, the pitcher is center-stage. Of course a pitcher's best friend is her...
Defense- Players in every position willing to put in the time in practice, working through repetitious drills with enthusiasm. Players who when the game is on the line are thinking, "Hit the ball to me!" Not because they do not have confidence in their teammates, but because they have the utmost confidence in their ability to get the job done. Players not looking to make the flashy plays that everyone will talk about, but the routine plays that occur much more frequently and really make a difference in the game. Defense is the foundation of every team and is supported by the...
Offense- Nothing relaxes a defense more than runs on the board. In order to have a great offense, players, who once they step in the batters box, have to be willing to battle EVERY pitch. There can be no time off at the plate. Focus, patience, and doing whatever they can to help the team is of the utmost importance. If a player goes down swinging, which will happen no matter how good of a hitter you are, that player needs to stow the helmet and bat and cheer on the teammate that follows them. Sulking over a bad at bat is selfish and does the player and the team no good. If a player hits a homerun, they celebrate with their teammates from homeplate to the dugout and then they immediately start cheering on their teammate at the plate. Again, a continual celebration is selfish, it takes away from the teammate at the plate, and it may also be seen as showing up the pitcher. A championship team battles to win every inning no matter what the score.
The Mental:
The only way all of the physical categories above can work together is if the team is mentally conditioned. Without a trained mind and a team-first attitude, softball becomes a selfish individual sport where players are more concerned about how they are doing individually over how the team is doing. Players working together for a common purpose, for common goals, is a must. Players who are mentally mature enough to know that, although they cannot control the result of any game, they can control their preparation, and more often than not the more prepared , mentally and physically prepared, team has a lot better chance of achieving the outcome they desire.
So, will Helias Softball win a state championship?
To call our pitching, "average high school pitching," would be an insult. We have the ability in the circle to take us as far as we want to go. There will be good speed in the outfield and sure hands on the infield. The power of the offense and speed on the base paths will be matched by few. There are 7 months before the season officially begins. Will leaders arise? Will the players know the importance of preparing mentally? Will the proper attitude be in place well before the season begins? All questions that remain to be answered, but as for my own personal opinion...I say, "Yes." Yes to each and every question.
"Two elements are necessary for effective teamwork. First, the individuals who constitute the team must share a common objective, one that is important enough to them that they are willing to make sacrifices in order to achieve it. Second, team members need to care about each other in a way that eventually leads to selflessness and a common concern for others on the team." Tom Osborne, former Nebraska Football Coach
MythBusters: Myth #3 Helias Softball Will Win a State Championship in 2008.....Plausible
What does it take to win a state championship? What are the necessary components a team must have in order to be a championship team?
The Physical:
Pitching- It is essential to be able to put the ball over the plate, but the person behind the ball has to be more than a strike throwing machine. They have to be smart, resilient, persistent, calm, and have the confidence of a center-stage performer.....because on the softball field, the pitcher is center-stage. Of course a pitcher's best friend is her...
Defense- Players in every position willing to put in the time in practice, working through repetitious drills with enthusiasm. Players who when the game is on the line are thinking, "Hit the ball to me!" Not because they do not have confidence in their teammates, but because they have the utmost confidence in their ability to get the job done. Players not looking to make the flashy plays that everyone will talk about, but the routine plays that occur much more frequently and really make a difference in the game. Defense is the foundation of every team and is supported by the...
Offense- Nothing relaxes a defense more than runs on the board. In order to have a great offense, players, who once they step in the batters box, have to be willing to battle EVERY pitch. There can be no time off at the plate. Focus, patience, and doing whatever they can to help the team is of the utmost importance. If a player goes down swinging, which will happen no matter how good of a hitter you are, that player needs to stow the helmet and bat and cheer on the teammate that follows them. Sulking over a bad at bat is selfish and does the player and the team no good. If a player hits a homerun, they celebrate with their teammates from homeplate to the dugout and then they immediately start cheering on their teammate at the plate. Again, a continual celebration is selfish, it takes away from the teammate at the plate, and it may also be seen as showing up the pitcher. A championship team battles to win every inning no matter what the score.
The Mental:
The only way all of the physical categories above can work together is if the team is mentally conditioned. Without a trained mind and a team-first attitude, softball becomes a selfish individual sport where players are more concerned about how they are doing individually over how the team is doing. Players working together for a common purpose, for common goals, is a must. Players who are mentally mature enough to know that, although they cannot control the result of any game, they can control their preparation, and more often than not the more prepared , mentally and physically prepared, team has a lot better chance of achieving the outcome they desire.
So, will Helias Softball win a state championship?
To call our pitching, "average high school pitching," would be an insult. We have the ability in the circle to take us as far as we want to go. There will be good speed in the outfield and sure hands on the infield. The power of the offense and speed on the base paths will be matched by few. There are 7 months before the season officially begins. Will leaders arise? Will the players know the importance of preparing mentally? Will the proper attitude be in place well before the season begins? All questions that remain to be answered, but as for my own personal opinion...I say, "Yes." Yes to each and every question.
"Two elements are necessary for effective teamwork. First, the individuals who constitute the team must share a common objective, one that is important enough to them that they are willing to make sacrifices in order to achieve it. Second, team members need to care about each other in a way that eventually leads to selflessness and a common concern for others on the team." Tom Osborne, former Nebraska Football Coach
MythBusters: Myth #3 Helias Softball Will Win a State Championship in 2008.....Plausible
Friday, January 4, 2008
MythBusters: Myth #2 The Sum is Greater than the Individual Parts
There is an old story about a horse pull that took place at a county fair many years ago. The winning horse was able to pull 4 tons while the second place horse pulled about 3.75 tons. The owner of each of the horses decided to see what the horses could pull together. Most people thought that the result was going to be obvious, 7.75 tons. Everyone was shocked when the two horses pulled 22 tons. The sum of their efforts far outweighed their individual parts. That is synergy.
Synergy (from the Greek syn-ergo, συνεργός meaning working together, circa 1660) refers to the phenomenon in which two or more discrete influences or agents acting together create an effect greater than that predicted by knowing only the separate effects of the individual agents.
It turns out that synergy does not apply only to horses. Teams have benefited from this idea of synergy as well. Hollywood has dramatized this in many classic movies.
Hoosiers: a small town basketball team plays for a state championship against a bigger school with bigger stronger and faster individual athletes. The small town team because of their commitment to each other and the solidarity that they formed through perseverance, prevailed.
Remember the Titans: A football team has to deal with many social issues of the time because now black students and white students are placed together at the same school. Thanks to a tough coach and time to truly get to know each other the team builds bonds that push past the racial barriers that have been put up by their town and even their own families. They share a common goal and push each other to finish a perfect season. Even though in the movie the perfect season discussed is one with no losses, the real perfection is that a bunch of teens were able to put the chaos that surrounded them aside, to not listen to what people were saying around them, and make the team what they wanted it to be....a place where everyone cared about their teammates because they were their teammates, not because they were black or white.
"These are movies, not real life," is what you might be thinking. Is real life so different? As a player, can you think of conflicts that took place all throughout a season that damaged the season beyond repair? Can you also think of a team where everything just clicked and it seemed like you could do the impossible? Unfortunately most of us can think of more teams that fell to conflict than the teams that we just felt honored to be on. Why is that? Is it just personality conflicts, or do you just have to get lucky to be on one of those great teams?
Great teams do not happen by chance! It takes players and coaches working hard to make the team great. It takes support from parents, administration, and fans to make the team great. Great teams have leaders on the team that the other players respect. Great teams look forward to sweating together at practice in order to make their team, their teammates, and themselves better. Great teams share common goals that they must stretch themselves to reach, rather than settling for goals that take little effort to attain. Great teams form bonds that reach beyond acquaintance on a team, but more like family: protecting, supporting, confronting, as needed. Essentially, great teams take hard work by every member.
Do not define "great team" by wins and losses. Do great teams tend to win more than they lose, yes, but at the end of the season you should not have to look at a record to know if the team you are on is great or not. If at the end of the day you can say that you and your teammates worked as hard as they could, you are on a great team. If at the end of the season you are sad, whether you won a championship or not, because you will not have the opportunity to be with your teammates everyday, you are on a great team. And, great teams accomplish much!
Now, back to synergy. I am sure everyone who is reading this has been at a place in their athletic life where they felt like they could do no wrong, everything is clicking. Imagine looking past the individual and being on a team in that zone. Outfielders coming up with incredible catches, undersized players hitting homeruns, clean-up batters squeezing in winning runs, non-starters encouraging their teammates from pre-game warm-ups to the end of the game, managers working behind the scene to make the team better, parents and fans cheering on the entire team, coaches respecting the players enough to help them become successful, a community that exudes sportsmanship and an attitude of service. That sounds like a team that far exceeds its individual parts. That is the picture of a team I want to be a part of.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Mythbusters: Myth #2 The Sum is Greater than the Individual Parts.....Confirmed!
Synergy (from the Greek syn-ergo, συνεργός meaning working together, circa 1660) refers to the phenomenon in which two or more discrete influences or agents acting together create an effect greater than that predicted by knowing only the separate effects of the individual agents.
It turns out that synergy does not apply only to horses. Teams have benefited from this idea of synergy as well. Hollywood has dramatized this in many classic movies.
Hoosiers: a small town basketball team plays for a state championship against a bigger school with bigger stronger and faster individual athletes. The small town team because of their commitment to each other and the solidarity that they formed through perseverance, prevailed.
Remember the Titans: A football team has to deal with many social issues of the time because now black students and white students are placed together at the same school. Thanks to a tough coach and time to truly get to know each other the team builds bonds that push past the racial barriers that have been put up by their town and even their own families. They share a common goal and push each other to finish a perfect season. Even though in the movie the perfect season discussed is one with no losses, the real perfection is that a bunch of teens were able to put the chaos that surrounded them aside, to not listen to what people were saying around them, and make the team what they wanted it to be....a place where everyone cared about their teammates because they were their teammates, not because they were black or white.
"These are movies, not real life," is what you might be thinking. Is real life so different? As a player, can you think of conflicts that took place all throughout a season that damaged the season beyond repair? Can you also think of a team where everything just clicked and it seemed like you could do the impossible? Unfortunately most of us can think of more teams that fell to conflict than the teams that we just felt honored to be on. Why is that? Is it just personality conflicts, or do you just have to get lucky to be on one of those great teams?
Great teams do not happen by chance! It takes players and coaches working hard to make the team great. It takes support from parents, administration, and fans to make the team great. Great teams have leaders on the team that the other players respect. Great teams look forward to sweating together at practice in order to make their team, their teammates, and themselves better. Great teams share common goals that they must stretch themselves to reach, rather than settling for goals that take little effort to attain. Great teams form bonds that reach beyond acquaintance on a team, but more like family: protecting, supporting, confronting, as needed. Essentially, great teams take hard work by every member.
Do not define "great team" by wins and losses. Do great teams tend to win more than they lose, yes, but at the end of the season you should not have to look at a record to know if the team you are on is great or not. If at the end of the day you can say that you and your teammates worked as hard as they could, you are on a great team. If at the end of the season you are sad, whether you won a championship or not, because you will not have the opportunity to be with your teammates everyday, you are on a great team. And, great teams accomplish much!
Now, back to synergy. I am sure everyone who is reading this has been at a place in their athletic life where they felt like they could do no wrong, everything is clicking. Imagine looking past the individual and being on a team in that zone. Outfielders coming up with incredible catches, undersized players hitting homeruns, clean-up batters squeezing in winning runs, non-starters encouraging their teammates from pre-game warm-ups to the end of the game, managers working behind the scene to make the team better, parents and fans cheering on the entire team, coaches respecting the players enough to help them become successful, a community that exudes sportsmanship and an attitude of service. That sounds like a team that far exceeds its individual parts. That is the picture of a team I want to be a part of.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Mythbusters: Myth #2 The Sum is Greater than the Individual Parts.....Confirmed!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
MythBusters: Myth #1 The Best Teams are Made up of the Best Athletes
In the spirit of MythBusters, the television program on the Discovery Channel, I will be making a series of posts that relate to common myths that pertain to athletics.
In the United States, when we hear "Dream Team," most peoples' thoughts go directly to the United States Men Basketball Team. A group of men, mostly professional players from the NBA, assembled to do one thing, win gold. Here is the Roster of the 2004 Dream Team:
Carmelo Anthony
Carlos Boozer
Tim Duncan
Allen Iverson
LeBron James
Richard Jefferson
Stephon Marbury
Shawn Marion
Lamar Odom
Emeka Okafor
Amare Stoudemire
Dwayne Wade
No other team had a roster that could compare with the skill or athletic ability that the U.S. brought to the Olympic Games. Even with the best basketball athletes in the Olympics the U.S. Team had to settle for Bronze. They also lost three games which was more than all of the previous Dream Team losses from all of the previous Olympics combined.
Too often people predict a team's success or failure solely on the individual talents on the team. An AP article from the 2004 Olympics says it well:
"The Americans won't be the Olympic basketball champions for the first time since 1988, beaten by an Argentine team that lacks stars but simply knows how to play together better."
Don't get me wrong, as a coach I love working with great athletes. But, I refuse to keep a great athlete that has an attitude that is cancerous. I would much rather have an athlete who works hard and has an attitude that puts the team above themselves. Best case scenario is great athletes with great attitudes........but a team made up of individuals who truly support their teammates and push them to be the best they can be is a team that can be just as effective.
My Dream Team.
Team members: Players, Parents, Coaches, Administration, Student Body
When most people think of a team, they think only of players and coaches. There are many more members of a successful team. Central to a successful team is common goals. All members of the team must be committed and supportive of those goals.
Support and Loyalty.
Second guessing players, or coaches decisions, or parents motives tear away at the foundation of a solid team. Coaches are going to make decisions that are not going to be popular at times. Parents, players, administration, and fans need to support those decisions whether or not they agree with them. Players and parents grumbling about coaching decisions, coaches grumbling about players or lack of support from administration, or countless other negativity takes focus away from where it should be and feeds failure.
Team First Attitude
I love working with players who work hard and constantly encourage their teammates. The only way a team can be successful is if each individual is more concerned with how the team is doing rather than their own stats.
Celebrate the Little Things
In a sport like softball and baseball where there can be many pauses in the action, it is important to celebrate the little things. If a players bunts someone over, moves a runner, hits a sacrifice fly, etc., I encourage the team to celebrate like they hit a homerun. This keeps the atmosphere upbeat and positive while taking away the possibility of hitting a lull that can lead to drops in energy.
These are just some aspects of creating a true Dream Team. If you have any input, please comment.
Myth #1 The Best Teams are Made up of the Best Athletes.....Busted!
In the United States, when we hear "Dream Team," most peoples' thoughts go directly to the United States Men Basketball Team. A group of men, mostly professional players from the NBA, assembled to do one thing, win gold. Here is the Roster of the 2004 Dream Team:
Carmelo Anthony
Carlos Boozer
Tim Duncan
Allen Iverson
LeBron James
Richard Jefferson
Stephon Marbury
Shawn Marion
Lamar Odom
Emeka Okafor
Amare Stoudemire
Dwayne Wade
No other team had a roster that could compare with the skill or athletic ability that the U.S. brought to the Olympic Games. Even with the best basketball athletes in the Olympics the U.S. Team had to settle for Bronze. They also lost three games which was more than all of the previous Dream Team losses from all of the previous Olympics combined.
Too often people predict a team's success or failure solely on the individual talents on the team. An AP article from the 2004 Olympics says it well:
"The Americans won't be the Olympic basketball champions for the first time since 1988, beaten by an Argentine team that lacks stars but simply knows how to play together better."
Don't get me wrong, as a coach I love working with great athletes. But, I refuse to keep a great athlete that has an attitude that is cancerous. I would much rather have an athlete who works hard and has an attitude that puts the team above themselves. Best case scenario is great athletes with great attitudes........but a team made up of individuals who truly support their teammates and push them to be the best they can be is a team that can be just as effective.
My Dream Team.
Team members: Players, Parents, Coaches, Administration, Student Body
When most people think of a team, they think only of players and coaches. There are many more members of a successful team. Central to a successful team is common goals. All members of the team must be committed and supportive of those goals.
Support and Loyalty.
Second guessing players, or coaches decisions, or parents motives tear away at the foundation of a solid team. Coaches are going to make decisions that are not going to be popular at times. Parents, players, administration, and fans need to support those decisions whether or not they agree with them. Players and parents grumbling about coaching decisions, coaches grumbling about players or lack of support from administration, or countless other negativity takes focus away from where it should be and feeds failure.
Team First Attitude
I love working with players who work hard and constantly encourage their teammates. The only way a team can be successful is if each individual is more concerned with how the team is doing rather than their own stats.
Celebrate the Little Things
In a sport like softball and baseball where there can be many pauses in the action, it is important to celebrate the little things. If a players bunts someone over, moves a runner, hits a sacrifice fly, etc., I encourage the team to celebrate like they hit a homerun. This keeps the atmosphere upbeat and positive while taking away the possibility of hitting a lull that can lead to drops in energy.
These are just some aspects of creating a true Dream Team. If you have any input, please comment.
Myth #1 The Best Teams are Made up of the Best Athletes.....Busted!
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