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