Football Talk - Preparation & Evaluation

Football Talk - What Are We? We Are LP!! What Does That Really Mean?

The Importance of An Athlete's Attitude

Having the Proper Attitude

1. More athletes fail through faulty mental attitudes than in any other way.
2. Attitudes are habits of thinking. You have it within your power to develop the habit of thinking thoughts that will result in a winning attitude.
3. The foundation for the proper attitude consists of developing the habit of thinking positive thoughts.
4. Tell yourself constantly that you can do something, and you will. Tell yourself you can’t, and your subconscious mind will find a way for you not to do it.
5. A desire to win and a desire to prepare to win are important ingredients of a winning attitude.
6. Before you can scale the heights of athletic greatness, you must first learn to control yourself from within. Be your own master. Control your emotions.
7. An athlete with a good attitude is coachable. He welcomes criticism, constantly seeks to learn, and avoids criticizing his coach or teammates.
8. True success depends on teamwork, and the winning attitude puts the good of the team ahead of anything else.
9. Whether or not you create a winning attitude is entirely up to you—but nothing is more important to you on your road to the winner’s circle.

Jim Tressel - The Winners Manual

Your Attitude is Your Choice

Your Attitude Is a Choice -  Attitude is not a formula we can put under a microscope and make it work every time to help us win every game. We’re still going to lose from time to time. We’re still going to get upset. But because our attitude is a choice, I think if we work hard on our objectives and practice our fundamentals, at the end of the day we’ll probably be pleased with our number of wins. That’s what I’d like to get across, because I believe it’s true.

The older our players get, the more they realize that it’s their choice what they’re feeling, what they’re thinking, and what approach they’re going to take to life. We find that the younger or less-mature players have less of a handle on their attitude and are more reactionary—they’re more susceptible to the events of their lives. They’ll say things like, “I dropped the ball and Coach hates me; I’m never getting in the game again.” Or they’ll focus on the referee and a bad call or on anything else that doesn’t go their way. In the classroom, it’s a professor they think doesn’t like football players.

Attitude is not something that comes by instinct. It has to be practiced over and over or relearned over and over. The more our players study and practice this fundamental, the more they believe they can decide how they feel. They realize they have power over their attitude. Their coach doesn’t have that power. Neither does the referee or their professor. How they approach their attitude is their choice.

We have to choose to have a good attitude. And we have to keep reminding ourselves, in the midst of newspaper publicity or things other people are saying, that we are going to be in charge of how we think. That’s a powerful principle in the life of a football player, a trash collector, a pastor, a dad, a stay-at-home mom, or someone who works in an office.

Tressel, Jim (2008-07-15). The Winners Manual

Four Characteristics of Championship Teams

Four Characteristics of Championship Teams

Championship Teams have an Agreed Upon Goal - When talking with a championship team, they have a common goal  - or a series of them.   Win this game - Win District - Win State.   There is a clear direction which dictates decisions each day, each practice and each game.  Will this help us win?  Is this what is best for tonight - does it help us to the goal of District and State?  These goals are shared by the team and coaches.    Now there are secondary individual goals - faster running, strong, more carries - sacks - fumbles recovered, etc. - but these are all secondary to the overall Team Goal.

Championship Teams Believe and By-in to Their Leadership - There must be unity between players and Coaches.   Coaches set the tone and direction, players should so believe in their Coaches that they will charge ahead.   There are going to be times when the player doesn't understand why/what the Coach has asked the team to do - but he has to decide whether to trust the Coach and follow or not.   Championship teams follow their Coaches.

Championship Teams have Unselfish Players - This goes back to a Team Goal - but is more difficult for a High School Player.   Let me explain - my son is a running back (among many other things) for his team.  As a Daddy - I think the only time he shouldn't run the ball is when they pass it to him!  (grin)  Isn't that what is best for my son?   But the question is, "Is that what is best for the Team Goal?" And that answer is undeniably NO.   So what is best for my son - is not what is best for the Team.  That is tough on me as a Daddy at times.   There are times when I have to remind myself - and my son - that it is team first - and we choose to trust the Coaches to get us to accomplish the Team Goals.   Just one more thing: Dads - don't harm your son by undermining your Coaches.  Teach them to trust his leadership.  He will be a better player and a better man in the long run for it.

Championship Teams have Each Others Backs - In every game there is going to be failure - plays that go bad.   Fumbles, missed tackles, penalties, interceptions are all part of the game.   When those happen, championship teams pick each other up.  Sure there are times when a player needs to be challenged to improve - but during the game players need to pick one another up - encourage each other - have each others backs.   That is what a team is all about.  When we win - we win together.   If we lose - we lose as a team.

Three Marks of a Winner

Winners are easily spotted by the results of their performance, but it is the things that are done before the results are visible that truly mark someone for greatness.

These are 3 characteristics of success that mark a winner.

A winner sets the pace. The winner is the one who is doing things the right way, and doing them the right way before it is the popular thing to do.

A winner puts in the time and energy to succeed, plans ahead, and works past obstacles before anyone asks. They are out in front, leading by example. A winner always gives 100%. Even when talent alone could be enough to carry them to victory, the winner is the one who works the hardest to be their best.

A winner works with the team. At times the chance to be excluded from the team is available, but a mark of a true winner is the choice to work with the team and take glory and blame as a part of the whole. A winner sees the team as the most valuable and will do anything they can to help other teammates grow and succeed.

Adapted from Blaine Bartel

La Porte Bulldog Season Preview

MY WEEKLY BULLDOG MOMENT - (ok ... so I have these more than weekly) - The 2012-2013 version of the Bulldogs will roll out at LPHS Stadium this Friday Night.  They have been highly ranked in all of the pre-season polls – and honestly – perhaps too highly ranked.  Let me explain.

Much of the rankings are based upon “Potential.”  While this is flattering – “Potential” never won a game.  “Potential” does not tackle, run or lead.  Many players with “Potential” never get the job done.  So while La Porte has “Potential” – it has to live up to that “Potential.” – It has to deliver.

The concerns I have center around 2 key elements.   One, the quarterback play.  Again – great potential – but unproven in game settings.  Mr. Jackson and Mr. Holmes both have fantastic skill sets – but will need to translate it to the field.   I believe the first two or three games will allow them to find their roles, settle their nerves, and start letting the game come to them.  By the time district rolls around, I think this concern will be alleviated. 

The other concern I have centers around the graduation of Mr. Sutherland and Mr. Whilley.  For almost 3 seasons, they were the heart and soul of the Bulldog Defense.  Who will fill those roles?  Not just with the X’s and O’s – but the leadership they provided.   I think Mr. Nelson and Mr. Lee and others will need to rise to the top and assert themselves defensively.  Again, it will sort itself out through the first few games and be solid for district play.

The strengths – the backfield is exceptionally strong – the secondary is accomplished and both lines are athletic and huge.    Additionally, the offense found its identity through the first half of last season and continues to be creative, unpredictable and effective.  Add to that a new passing threat and you have a potent combination.

I look for LP to battle Northshore for the top spot in District 21-5A with Port Arthur and Deer Park battling for the third and fourth spots.

One other thing.   For years La Porte hunted teams like Northshore and Katy.  Last year they beat them both.   Now the Bulldogs are the hunted.  It is a different role for them.   Different challenges.   Will be an interesting year!!!

4 QUALITIES OF A GREAT TEAMMATE 

Ordinary teams become successful when individuals understand what it means to be a teammate. Here are 4 qualities that will help your team by helping you become an extraordinary teammate. 

1. Great teammates know their role. Anything that has more than one part needs definition in order to be put together properly. If you don’t know your role on a team, then you will never know if you are playing the right part or doing what it takes to play your part well. 
2.  Great teammates take care of the responsibilities. Once you know your role, work hard on your responsibilities in that role. You will earn the respect of your team and coaches as you prove that you will be where you are supposed to be and doing what you are supposed to be doing. Your team needs to know that they can count on you to take care of your part while they are doing theirs.
3. Great teammates make others look good. If you only focus on your stats, your numbers, your percentages, or making yourself look good, you will quickly alienate your team and begin to lose their respect. Instead, look for ways to make your teammates look good at practice, at school, and during the game. 
4. Help your team improve by helping your teammates improve. Working on your skills and ability may add to the effectiveness of your team, but working with your team to improve collectively will multiply your ability to produce great results. No matter what your skill level is right now, by helping the lesser players or pushing the greater players, you can help your team in some way.

Adapted Blaine Bartel

Facing Adversity

"If there is one thing I can assure you, it is that you will have adversity on the field tomorrow. Football is a game about adversity. In every play, players get knocked down, they get back up, and then they get knocked down again. But you keep getting up. Having adversity is part of the game. You accept it, but you don't allow it to defeat you. You go on to the next play. So when one of your teammates faces adversity in the game, each of you must have one thought you are the one who will be there for him. Know that you will stay focused on the process during the entire game, and part of the process is being there for each other. Let every one of your teammates know that he can trust you to do your job. As your teammate, he can trust you on every play-one play at a time. This is how football games are won. One play at a time! Now, I want you to all stand up again and tell one of your teammates how much you trust him and listen to him tell you how much he trusts you. And be sure to promise him that you won't let him down in the game tomorrow night."

Kevin Elko; Robert L. Shook. The Pep Talk: A Football Story about the Business of Winning

Four Differences Between Arrogance and Confidence

From a distance, arrogance can easily be mistaken for confidence. Here are 4 marks that make even the most confident person want to keep their distance from arrogance.

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1. Confidence is based on a belief that whether I perform well or badly, I will be able to do whatever is next. Arrogance is based on appearance and performance and quickly dissolves in difficult circumstances. 
2.  Arrogance knows everything and refuses to be coached, even by the most knowledgeable person on even the smallest detail. Confidence is focused on continuing to improve and learning how to do better what you already do well.
3. Confidence means believing in yourself as you make the team better or strive to reach your goals. Arrogance is focused on yourself as you use the team or personal achievements to make yourself look better. 
4.  Arrogance treats the failures of others as catastrophic mistakes that you would never make. Confidence is using your talents and knowledge to make other athletes better, not to make them feel smaller.

Adapted from Blaine Bartel

7 Things Talent Cannot Do

Hard work will always beat talent when talent refuses to work hard.

Here are the 7 things talent cannot do.

1. TALENT CANNOT MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES FOR YOU. No matter what your talent level, when you hit tough choices, on and off the playing field, you have make those choices just like everyone else.

2. TALENT CANNOT BUILD TEAM UNITY. Team unity begins when each runner knows that they are part of a whole. No matter how talented the individual is, no one can succeed alone.

3. TALENT CANNOT MAKE YOUR TEAMMATES BETTER. You have to work to make the people around you better. Elevating the speed of your team takes time and patience.

4. TALENT CANNOT HUSTLE. Talent will fail in tough circumstances, but you can make those circumstances work in your favor by doing the things that don't show up on the stat sheets.

5. TALENT CANNOT TEACH YOU. Taking the time to listen to those who have been where you are will help you take your game to the next level.

6. TALENT CANNOT KEEP YOU IN SHAPE. In running, talent without physical conditioning is often worse than having no talent at all. It makes the runner think "Why am i not as good as i used to be?" In fact, you ARE as good as you used to be... you just need to put in the miles and show everyone that this is the case. Work hard to get in great shape, and your talent will shine even brighter.

7. TALENT CANNOT PRESERVE YOUR REPUTATION. The sports world is full of people who sacrificed their potential influence for temporary satisfaction. You will increase your influence if you use your talent the right way and choose a good reputation. 

adapted from Blaine Bartel