Game Changer

Took a trip to Huntsville yesterday to watch the Nick Saban Documentary: Game Changer. Very good movie that shows just how driven Coach Saban is to be successful. The movie also shows how he cares about his players off the football field and how the succeed in the game of life. I am going to share 4 of my favorite ideas from the movie.

1. You have all heard about the PROCESS when it comes to the Saban way! It all started in 1998 when his Michigan State team was 4-5 and went into Columbus, Ohio and knocked off then #1 Ohio State. He said thats when he realized he had to get his players to focus on the games one play at a time. Whether you have FAILURE or SUCCESS you must move on to the NEXT play.

2. Coach Saban holds a staff meeting at 7:30 everyday to set the tone for each day. Every member of his organization knows what is expected of them on a daily basis.

3. The morning after the national championship win over Texas Saban held a staff meeting. When he entered that meeting he already had a plan on how to keep the Tide moving forward.

4. Strength Coach Coachran leads the 4th quarter conditioning program. He talked about how the players had to buy in and believe in the process. During the 4th quarter of the near defeats to Tennessee and Auburn he walked the sidelines shouting YOU GOTTA BELIEVE! The players bought into the process 100%

Practice Thoughts from Rebound Rules: Rick Pitino

When we start practice, we always tell our players this: When they cross the lines onto the court, they cannot be anywhere else. It's not possible. They cannot be back in the dorm relaxing or out with their girlfriends, so while they're here, why not be the very best they can be? Practice is the task at hand; excel at it. To make that message effective, we as coaches must approach practice the same way; total focus with maximum enthusiasm. When you go through the motions, you tacitly give players the leeway to do the same. When you hit the court brimming with energy, it will spread throughout the team. When people see the tedious tasks being accomplished enthusiastically it should produce a domino effect throughout your organization.

The Power of Habit

You may know me. I'm your constant companion. I'm your greatest helper. I'm your heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am at your command. Half the tasks you do might as well be turned over to me. I'm able to do them the same every time if that's what you want. I'm easily managed, all you've got to do is be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want it done; after a few lessons I'll do it automatically. I am the servant of all great men and women; of course, servant of the failures as well. I've made all the great individuals who have ever been great. And I've made all the failures, too. But I work with all the precision of a marvelous computer with the intelligence of a human being. You may run me for profit or you may run me to ruin, it makes no difference to me.
Take me. Be easy with me and I will destroy you.
Be firm with me and I'll put the world at your feet.

Who AM I??
I'm HABIT!!

The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world make you king for a day,

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself

And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or wife

Whose judgment upon you must pass,

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one staring back from the glass.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum

And think you're a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says You're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

He's the fellow to please--never mind all the rest,

For he's with you clear to the end,

And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test,

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years

And get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears

If you've cheated the man in the glass.

Eight Suggestions for Succeeding

Fear no opponent. Respect every opponent.

Remember, It's the perfection of the smallest details that make big things happen.

Keep in mind that hustle makes up for many a mistake.

Be more interested in character than reputation.

Be Quick, but don't hurry.

Understand that the harder you work, the more luck you will have.

Know that valid self-analysis is crucial for improvement.

Remember that there is no substitute for hard work and careful planning. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

Doc Rivers Coaching Thoughts

Coach‟s ego: Is it about you or about the team?
o "Beginners are open and experts are closed. When you become an expert, stay open!"
o Character vs. Character (s)
o You have to protect your team culture.
o The little things matter. Example: Celtics won a game against Cleveland on jump ball.
o Important little things: Extra pass, closeouts
o Build your staff around the team that you want to have: Loyal, hard working, disciplined.
o Sets up staff like a football program: offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator.
o Do you trust the people on your staff?
o Give them room to do their strengths.
o Cannot ask players to fill roles unless you let your staff fulfill their roles.
o Players must buy into your system of play.
o Have a theme/purpose to the season.
o Doc took Big 3 on parade route they would ride for winning the championship. (same route Patriots and Red Socks used) Develop direction and image.
o Ask players "Do you want to win? " Most say yes, but only if it‟s comfortable for them.
o Fight for your system/culture every day.
o Eliminate the S‟s in your program: Selfish, Stubborn, etc.
o Cannot let a talented player affect your thinking.
o Talking to players after the draft: "You only have a number for one day. After that, it is all up to you"
o If you steal something from someone, make it your own.

Nick Saban on Discipline

Discipline is getting people to do what they are supposed to do, when they're supposed to do it, and the way it is supposed to be done. Discipline is not punishment. Discipline is changing someone's behavior to get him to do what you want him to do.

It is our responsibility as coaches to get them to do the right thing, not enable them to do the wrong thing.

PERSISTENCE

Michael Jordan once did a commercial for NIKE in which he got out of a limo and was walking into a gym. The announcer started calling out a lot of stats from his career. He said he missed 26 game winning shots and he had missed 9,000 shots as a NBA player, and he had lost 293 games in the NBA. Michael looks up at the camera and says, "Because I FAIL is why I SUCCEED."

Rules for Being Human

Rule #1: You will learn lessons.

Rule #2: There are no mistakes-only lessons.

Rule #3: A lesson is repeated until it is learned.

Rule #4: If you don't learn the easy lessons, they get harder. (Pain is one way the universe gets your attention.)

Rule #5: You'll know you've learned a lesson when your actions change.

Thoughts from John C. Maxwell

FAILING FORWARD

The Harder You Work, The Tougher It Is To Surrender

Truly persistent people never give in to mental or physical fatigue. Truly persistent people don't give in, period.

African Parable

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows that it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows that it must ourtun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle: When the sun comes up you better be running.