When an imminent and anticipated challenge changes in size or nature at the last moment, when your mental preparations seem ill-suited to the new task at hand, when your strategic defenses on the northern front have prevented you from seeing the attack from the east, it takes an uncommon stature, an agile mind, an adroit tactician to turn this potential setback into opportunity for success that is all the more impressive.
Though the path we take may be unfamiliar, we know exactly where we are going. We also know how we will get there--we can see the steps out ahead of us, and even if they appear slippery or unstable in places we will see that each step will provide a solid foundation for the next. As we move from one to the next, we will be ever more sure-footed, until the final step is one made in absolute confidence.
Know too that each of your teammates is making this journey with you. Indeed, it began a long time ago, and perhaps we have each joined at different times or taken different routes to the present, but the next stretch will be shared by all. When I see my friends on the field breaking their defender's ankles to bust open deep, I will help make sure the path is clear for them--and then I'm going to follow them to that endzone, celebrating each individual success as a team.
Because that's the secret. Win your individual battles and trust your teammates to do the same. Team defense, team offense. Stand on your own feet, pick your teammates up when they falter, and keep fighting every moment you are on that field.
And to all the haters? Get the fuck out of my house.
Apr 16, 2009
Apr 13, 2009
T minus 5
With Frenchy:
Active warmup
10 minutes throwing
Tabata sprints (28yds each leg): 4, 3.85, 3.85, 3.75
Pushups: 25, 18, 9, 5
Squats: 21, 22, 22, 22
Thrower pivots (each direction): 6.5, 7, 7, 8
Superman holds
It was a workout designed to get the body used to doing things it needs to do on the field. Short but sweet.
Active warmup
10 minutes throwing
Tabata sprints (28yds each leg): 4, 3.85, 3.85, 3.75
Pushups: 25, 18, 9, 5
Squats: 21, 22, 22, 22
Thrower pivots (each direction): 6.5, 7, 7, 8
Superman holds
It was a workout designed to get the body used to doing things it needs to do on the field. Short but sweet.
Apr 12, 2009
Battle Preparations
Machine,
In the few days left before we end or extend our season, we each have the power to influence the outcome of this tournament. What you do in the next few days will impact pool play, the crossover, the bracket, and the game to go. Each man must find his own way to prepare his mind and body for these challenges. Here is what I will be doing.
Monday: Half-tabata workout, partner throwing
Tuesday: Scrimmage vs CHS
Wednesday: Quick explosive workout, swim, stretch
Thursday: Practice
Friday: highlight videos, 3-man marking drill, yoga
8 hours of sleep each night, a big mean salad each day, lean protein and complex carbs. But because this game is mental as well as physical, I will be preparing my mind as well. Relaxing, allowing the memories and regrets of the past to dissolve, giving my attention to the things that I can control--the water I drink, the food I eat, the uniform I lay out ahead of time. The time I wake up on Saturday, the music I listen to before warmups, and the effort I put into my warmups. The way I extend my hands to catch the disc. The options I look for on the field, the throwing choices I make, the way I step out and how I throw. The energy I put into my cuts, the direction in which I look, and the way I seal off my defender with my body. The way I position my hips on defense, the way I look at his thrower, the way I stay on my toes and the way I always choose to work harder. The way I help my teammates from the sideline, the trust I put in each of them, the way I respond to bad calls or aggressive play. These are all things I can control. These things are what I will be focusing on during the week, as I'm visualizing the weekend, and they are what I will be focusing on from warmups on Saturday to the cool-down on Sunday. My focus. My effort.
Do that, trust your teammates to do the same, and we will be successful.
In the few days left before we end or extend our season, we each have the power to influence the outcome of this tournament. What you do in the next few days will impact pool play, the crossover, the bracket, and the game to go. Each man must find his own way to prepare his mind and body for these challenges. Here is what I will be doing.
Monday: Half-tabata workout, partner throwing
Tuesday: Scrimmage vs CHS
Wednesday: Quick explosive workout, swim, stretch
Thursday: Practice
Friday: highlight videos, 3-man marking drill, yoga
8 hours of sleep each night, a big mean salad each day, lean protein and complex carbs. But because this game is mental as well as physical, I will be preparing my mind as well. Relaxing, allowing the memories and regrets of the past to dissolve, giving my attention to the things that I can control--the water I drink, the food I eat, the uniform I lay out ahead of time. The time I wake up on Saturday, the music I listen to before warmups, and the effort I put into my warmups. The way I extend my hands to catch the disc. The options I look for on the field, the throwing choices I make, the way I step out and how I throw. The energy I put into my cuts, the direction in which I look, and the way I seal off my defender with my body. The way I position my hips on defense, the way I look at his thrower, the way I stay on my toes and the way I always choose to work harder. The way I help my teammates from the sideline, the trust I put in each of them, the way I respond to bad calls or aggressive play. These are all things I can control. These things are what I will be focusing on during the week, as I'm visualizing the weekend, and they are what I will be focusing on from warmups on Saturday to the cool-down on Sunday. My focus. My effort.
Do that, trust your teammates to do the same, and we will be successful.
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