Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Bracketology
Seniors
"It takes a whole village to raise a child."
Sports are about relationships. Successful teams rely on good communication among coaches, coaches and players, and players themselves. Among teams with successful culture, senior experience and leadership prevail.
Saoirse Connolly
Lydia Lombardo
Lily Fitzgerald
Jill Mercer
Steve Karampalas photographs. Click to enlarge.
Melrose's seniors communicate, mentor younger teammates, have complementary roles, and execute on the court. You can't ask for much more than that.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose lost 3-1 at Central Catholic yesterday. Central has played well lately, including a pair of 3-2 losses to highly regarded Andover, one of the top teams in Division 1. The loss drops Melrose to 19-2 and probably doesn't affect D2 North seedings.
Sports are about relationships. Successful teams rely on good communication among coaches, coaches and players, and players themselves. Among teams with successful culture, senior experience and leadership prevail.
Steve Karampalas photographs. Click to enlarge.
Melrose's seniors communicate, mentor younger teammates, have complementary roles, and execute on the court. You can't ask for much more than that.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose lost 3-1 at Central Catholic yesterday. Central has played well lately, including a pair of 3-2 losses to highly regarded Andover, one of the top teams in Division 1. The loss drops Melrose to 19-2 and probably doesn't affect D2 North seedings.
Monday, October 30, 2017
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Dalton Division 3 Standings
38 schools in Dalton Division 3. Melrose in the 13 spot. Volleyball 19-1 and Football (8-0) are a big part of that.
Intangibles in the Post Season
The Boston Globe shares field hockey coaches opinions about success in the post-season...encapsulated as attention to detail, focus, preparation, and confidence.
Steve Karampalas photo. Click image to enlarge.
Excerpts:
“need to mentally be prepared for whatever comes at them”
“You have to look at each game as if it’s the last game you’ll ever play.”
"We’ve seen what it takes to get there and we all want to get back there.”
“They have the skill, they have the talent, they just have to bring it every game.”
“A lot of times when we get quiet, we don’t play our best. A lot of it is being positive and supporting each other on the field.”
Excerpts:
“need to mentally be prepared for whatever comes at them”
“You have to look at each game as if it’s the last game you’ll ever play.”
"We’ve seen what it takes to get there and we all want to get back there.”
“They have the skill, they have the talent, they just have to bring it every game.”
“A lot of times when we get quiet, we don’t play our best. A lot of it is being positive and supporting each other on the field.”
Saturday, October 28, 2017
AOCVB
Serious players get great tips from the YouTube.com Art of Coaching Volleyball (AOCVB) series. Experienced college and professional coaches share their recommendations.
One of my children's favorite qualities about volleyball was how much more they knew about it than I do, which abbreviated the conversation!
One of my children's favorite qualities about volleyball was how much more they knew about it than I do, which abbreviated the conversation!
Division 2 Rankings, Possible Seeding
Heading into the home stretch, East Boston is likely to claim the top seed as they are 17-0 overall. Woburn rebounded from their loss to Winchester and shutout Hamilton-Wenham yesterday.
If these standings are correct, the top seeds in D2 North are likely East Boston, Melrose, Hamilton-Wenham, Danvers, Lynnfield (17-3, not shown), and AC...followed by Marblehead, and Burlington.
Historically, the Boston teams have not fared well in the tournament. If this is right, Burlington could advance into the bracket #1 slot with a quarterfinal win over East Boston.
The Central has traditional powers Westborough and Medfield as well as Medway. Don't judge by records as the Central teams face tough regional standouts like Hopkinton and often perennial D1 champion Barnstable.
In the South, Duxbury and Hingham have gotten ink but don't sleep on NDA (Hingham) which plays a killer schedule and has played well over the second half.
Legendary basketball coach Don Meyer reminds us, "It's not who you play, it's how you play."
Court Education*
*Adapted from ronsenbasketball.blogspot.com
"Education implies teaching. Teaching implies knowledge. Knowledge is truth. The truth is everywhere the same. Hence education should be everywhere the same." - Robert Hutchins, President, University of Chicago
Sport reveals truths about ourselves. We don't inquire enough about the purpose of sport. Arguments about having a sound mind in a sound body leave shadows in a world of concussions and a specialty devoted to injury (sports medicine).
Coaches espouse accountability, commitment, discipline, effort, sacrifice, and teamwork. All translate to personal and professional growth. Mindset and grit aren't new.
Coaches come from various backgrounds and traditions with unique identities and philosophies. Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr share far different zeitgeist than Bob Knight or Mike Krzyzewski. Fortunately, we have no political litmus test to inform the fitness of basketball coaches.
For professionals the Lombardi principle rules, "winning isn't everything; it is the only thing." Colleges make education a "priority", except when they don't, when winning basketball games (one-and-done, shoe recruiting scandal) or sacrificing institutional control (Baylor football) happen. For high schools and below, we see a curious admixture of teaching, ego, and self-promotion.
What is the coach's job in high school? If "truth is everywhere the same", then everyone acknowledges that winning and competitiveness matters. Some argue that growing culture, mentoring, and team building are priorities, not appeasing parents and players. Winning coaches sometimes resign or are forced out because Anson Dorrance's "competitive cauldron" overheats or cooks a strange brew of dissatisfaction about minutes, roles, and credit.
At the developmental level, I favor a holistic approach. Teach players a broad overview about the game and the world. Players learn self-worth and teamwork from Annapurna and ball reversal. 'Styles of play' share common domains with military doctrine - infantry, cavalry, and artillery. The infantry pounds the action inside, cavalry reflects speed (transition), and artillery the perimeter attack, long-range bombing the contemporary analytic darling. Understanding meditation can improve attention, awareness, and confidence and elevated grades and standardized test scores.
Priorities for young players should be family and academics first and extra-curricular activities next. Overcoming adversity in sport recalls Lee's heroic victory against overwhelming force at Chancellorsville. Bowdoin professor Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain illustrates how education translates to service and victory at Gettysburg, en route to winning a Congressional Medal of Honor. The treatment of J. Robert Oppenheimer, director of the Manhattan Project, shows how perception changes despite epic performance. Hutchins' introductory quote sparks controversy in higher education eighty years later.
Do digressions into history and biography advance court education? Encouraging court awareness might not have changed Chris Webber's 1993 timeout. Knowing the battle does not always go to the strongest (and why) gets proven by 1996 Princeton. 4.8 seconds is a long time in 1995 and today.
Developing consensus presents an uphill battle in a world filled with "the smartest guys in the room." If we add perspective, encouraging players to become not the best but their best, then we add value to their court education.
"Education implies teaching. Teaching implies knowledge. Knowledge is truth. The truth is everywhere the same. Hence education should be everywhere the same." - Robert Hutchins, President, University of Chicago
Sport reveals truths about ourselves. We don't inquire enough about the purpose of sport. Arguments about having a sound mind in a sound body leave shadows in a world of concussions and a specialty devoted to injury (sports medicine).
Coaches espouse accountability, commitment, discipline, effort, sacrifice, and teamwork. All translate to personal and professional growth. Mindset and grit aren't new.
Coaches come from various backgrounds and traditions with unique identities and philosophies. Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr share far different zeitgeist than Bob Knight or Mike Krzyzewski. Fortunately, we have no political litmus test to inform the fitness of basketball coaches.
For professionals the Lombardi principle rules, "winning isn't everything; it is the only thing." Colleges make education a "priority", except when they don't, when winning basketball games (one-and-done, shoe recruiting scandal) or sacrificing institutional control (Baylor football) happen. For high schools and below, we see a curious admixture of teaching, ego, and self-promotion.
What is the coach's job in high school? If "truth is everywhere the same", then everyone acknowledges that winning and competitiveness matters. Some argue that growing culture, mentoring, and team building are priorities, not appeasing parents and players. Winning coaches sometimes resign or are forced out because Anson Dorrance's "competitive cauldron" overheats or cooks a strange brew of dissatisfaction about minutes, roles, and credit.
At the developmental level, I favor a holistic approach. Teach players a broad overview about the game and the world. Players learn self-worth and teamwork from Annapurna and ball reversal. 'Styles of play' share common domains with military doctrine - infantry, cavalry, and artillery. The infantry pounds the action inside, cavalry reflects speed (transition), and artillery the perimeter attack, long-range bombing the contemporary analytic darling. Understanding meditation can improve attention, awareness, and confidence and elevated grades and standardized test scores.
Priorities for young players should be family and academics first and extra-curricular activities next. Overcoming adversity in sport recalls Lee's heroic victory against overwhelming force at Chancellorsville. Bowdoin professor Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain illustrates how education translates to service and victory at Gettysburg, en route to winning a Congressional Medal of Honor. The treatment of J. Robert Oppenheimer, director of the Manhattan Project, shows how perception changes despite epic performance. Hutchins' introductory quote sparks controversy in higher education eighty years later.
Do digressions into history and biography advance court education? Encouraging court awareness might not have changed Chris Webber's 1993 timeout. Knowing the battle does not always go to the strongest (and why) gets proven by 1996 Princeton. 4.8 seconds is a long time in 1995 and today.
Developing consensus presents an uphill battle in a world filled with "the smartest guys in the room." If we add perspective, encouraging players to become not the best but their best, then we add value to their court education.
Friday, October 27, 2017
Win the Day
You make your habits and your habits make you.
(Steve Karampalas photo)
Develop great habits to start your day.
For example you might choose among:
1) Morning stretch
2) Reading
3) Journaling/blogging
4) Mindfulness
5) "Get to" list (critical items to achieve today)
Make it an indulgence not a chore.
Remember the "ration" sisters, the little sisters, Aspi (Ration) and Inspi (Ration) and the big sisters Prepa (Ration) and Perspi (Ration).
Develop great habits to start your day.
For example you might choose among:
1) Morning stretch
2) Reading
3) Journaling/blogging
4) Mindfulness
5) "Get to" list (critical items to achieve today)
Make it an indulgence not a chore.
Remember the "ration" sisters, the little sisters, Aspi (Ration) and Inspi (Ration) and the big sisters Prepa (Ration) and Perspi (Ration).
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Game 20: Melrose 3 Burlington 1
Melrose hosted Burlington in a Middlesex League Volleyball Night late game, emerging with a 25-12, 25-13, 24-26, and 25-13 victory. The win boosted Melrose to a 19-1 record with one game remaining at Central Catholic.
Winchester clinched the best record in the ML with a 3-0 victory over Woburn to finish unbeaten at 16-0 in league play.
Melrose dominated the first two sets, with strong performances from senior captains Lily Fitzgerald, Lydia Lombardo, Saoirse Connolly, and Jill Mercer. Lydia had one of her best all-around games with consistent attacks from the outside and Jill handled even the toughest Red Devil serves and a host of tough digs.
Sophomores Nicole Abbott, Emma Randolph, Erin Torpey, and Mary Kate Mahoney all played key roles as did freshman Emily Hudson with blocking up front.
Burlington had Melrose playing uphill almost the entire third set. Melrose rallied from 16-22 to earn a match point at 24-23, but the Red Devils held them off to take the set.
The fourth set was all Melrose. Lily got the team off to a quick 5-0 edge on the serve and Melrose kept extending the lead to a peak of 21-7. Burlington reeled off six points to get to thirteen before Melrose restored order with Mahoney's change-of-pace serves.
Lady Raider Notes: Volleyball Night was well-received with enthusiastic crowds in particular for Winchester-Woburn and Belmont-Arlington. Tonight was the final regular-season home game for the Melrose seniors. Lydia Lombardo was particularly outstanding tonight.
Melrose has a chance to recapture the 20-win plateau with a win next week at Central Catholic. Coach Scott Celli praised the team's hard work during the season and noted before the game the ongoing progress of Erin Torpey outside and Emily Hudson's growth during her seventeen days of varsity play.
Winchester clinched the best record in the ML with a 3-0 victory over Woburn to finish unbeaten at 16-0 in league play.
Melrose dominated the first two sets, with strong performances from senior captains Lily Fitzgerald, Lydia Lombardo, Saoirse Connolly, and Jill Mercer. Lydia had one of her best all-around games with consistent attacks from the outside and Jill handled even the toughest Red Devil serves and a host of tough digs.
Sophomores Nicole Abbott, Emma Randolph, Erin Torpey, and Mary Kate Mahoney all played key roles as did freshman Emily Hudson with blocking up front.
Burlington had Melrose playing uphill almost the entire third set. Melrose rallied from 16-22 to earn a match point at 24-23, but the Red Devils held them off to take the set.
The fourth set was all Melrose. Lily got the team off to a quick 5-0 edge on the serve and Melrose kept extending the lead to a peak of 21-7. Burlington reeled off six points to get to thirteen before Melrose restored order with Mahoney's change-of-pace serves.
Lady Raider Notes: Volleyball Night was well-received with enthusiastic crowds in particular for Winchester-Woburn and Belmont-Arlington. Tonight was the final regular-season home game for the Melrose seniors. Lydia Lombardo was particularly outstanding tonight.
Melrose has a chance to recapture the 20-win plateau with a win next week at Central Catholic. Coach Scott Celli praised the team's hard work during the season and noted before the game the ongoing progress of Erin Torpey outside and Emily Hudson's growth during her seventeen days of varsity play.
You Can Save a Life Today
You can save a life today...your child's, a friend's, maybe your own. We can't 'see' every hazard and we don't appreciate hidden risks.
An area police officer shared this with me yesterday. A regional tenth grade student died after smoking marijuana...which had presumably been laced with Fentanyl, the powerful synthetic narcotic behind many opioid deaths. Fentanyl is cheap, deadly, and traces can kill you by stopping your breathing.
I asked him whether he ever has to administer Narcan, the antidote for opioid overdoses. He answered, "almost every week." Don't let ignorance kill our children, friends, or you.
An area police officer shared this with me yesterday. A regional tenth grade student died after smoking marijuana...which had presumably been laced with Fentanyl, the powerful synthetic narcotic behind many opioid deaths. Fentanyl is cheap, deadly, and traces can kill you by stopping your breathing.
I asked him whether he ever has to administer Narcan, the antidote for opioid overdoses. He answered, "almost every week." Don't let ignorance kill our children, friends, or you.
"Volleyball Night" in Melrose
Melrose hosts Burlington at 730 tonight during "Middlesex League Volleyball Night," the kickoff for the annual Middlesex League volleyball season wrap.
Melrose bounced Burlington in a hard-fought match earlier this season.
Winchester and Woburn square off at 330 as Woburn tries to act as spoiler. Belmont and Arlington go head-to-head to follow as Belmont fights to keep its playoff hopes alive.
If you've never watched high school volleyball before, Middlesex League Volleyball Night gives you a chance to see the passion, athleticism, and skill of area young women.
But wait, there's more...like highlights of Mireya Luis, whom some consider the greatest women's outside hitter ever. Her biggest worry? She had concerns about catching a foot in the net.
You never know what you might see.
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Rankings
The only poll that matters comes after the season. But off we go...
Division 2 Maxpreps.com computer rankings.
Boston Globe poll as of October 23.
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Game 19: Melrose 3 Wakefield 0
Melrose traveled to Wakefield and raised its record to 18-1 with a three set win. Melrose hosts "Middlesex League Volleyball Night" Thursday which should give ML fans the opportunity to see their favorites in some key matchups.
Other ML scores today.
Melrose faces Burlington Thursday at 730 while Winchester faces Woburn (16-2) at Melrose at 330. Woburn can be the spoiler and drop Winchester into a first place tie. Melrose will have the opportunity to face a quality opponent headed into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Arlington and Belmont both fight for post-season spots. They are scheduled to meet at 500 Thursday at Melrose.
Melrose faces Burlington Thursday at 730 while Winchester faces Woburn (16-2) at Melrose at 330. Woburn can be the spoiler and drop Winchester into a first place tie. Melrose will have the opportunity to face a quality opponent headed into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Arlington and Belmont both fight for post-season spots. They are scheduled to meet at 500 Thursday at Melrose.
Investing in Volleyball
How do we measure an investment? Volleyball participation is spiking.
Nominally we can project investment using measures of quality, valuation, and growth. And within those metrics we examine national, regional, and local trends. Investment expert Vitaly Katsenelson says without quality there’s no reason to dig deeper.
Quality. Quality programs (or companies) excel in competitiveness, leadership, brand, and consistency. Consider Watertown field hockey, author of a 184 game winning streak, numerous state championships, and spawn for scholarship players. Coach Eileen Donahue has led the program for three decades, and they are the brand in area field hockey. Recruiting the best athletes for other fall sports is a Herculean task. Melrose’s volleyball brand is strong, with a state championship, two other finals appearances, and seven sectional titles. Coach Scott Celli has coached over 400 victories and has a seat in the MGVCA Hall of Fame. An area coach called Melrose a “legacy program.”
Growth. Local interest has never been higher. The Middlesex League has never been tougher. Winchester and Woburn have both become powerhouses. Teams have upgraded their non league schedules. The League inaugurates “Volleyball Night” this week.
Successful summer camps helped originate a middle school program. Melrose easily fills freshman, subvarsity, and varsity rosters. Younger players have increasing experience and success. Freshmen and sophomores fill ten of fourteen varsity roster spots and both contribute in games and challenge for court time. The “competitive cauldron” gets hotter within a collaborative culture.
Valuation. We can’t apply metrics like book value, cash flow, and earnings to high school sports. Melrose usually features at least one All-State player. Jennifer and Amanda Cain both played high level college volleyball and many Melrose graduates played college and competitive club volleyball. Melrose annually ranks among the top-rated girls teams in opinion polls and the Maxpreps.com computer poll.
With Middlesex League Volleyball Night Thursday and playoffs just over the horizon, consider investing time in Melrose volleyball. You’re guaranteed “service” and “high returns.”
Nominally we can project investment using measures of quality, valuation, and growth. And within those metrics we examine national, regional, and local trends. Investment expert Vitaly Katsenelson says without quality there’s no reason to dig deeper.
Quality. Quality programs (or companies) excel in competitiveness, leadership, brand, and consistency. Consider Watertown field hockey, author of a 184 game winning streak, numerous state championships, and spawn for scholarship players. Coach Eileen Donahue has led the program for three decades, and they are the brand in area field hockey. Recruiting the best athletes for other fall sports is a Herculean task. Melrose’s volleyball brand is strong, with a state championship, two other finals appearances, and seven sectional titles. Coach Scott Celli has coached over 400 victories and has a seat in the MGVCA Hall of Fame. An area coach called Melrose a “legacy program.”
Growth. Local interest has never been higher. The Middlesex League has never been tougher. Winchester and Woburn have both become powerhouses. Teams have upgraded their non league schedules. The League inaugurates “Volleyball Night” this week.
Successful summer camps helped originate a middle school program. Melrose easily fills freshman, subvarsity, and varsity rosters. Younger players have increasing experience and success. Freshmen and sophomores fill ten of fourteen varsity roster spots and both contribute in games and challenge for court time. The “competitive cauldron” gets hotter within a collaborative culture.
Valuation. We can’t apply metrics like book value, cash flow, and earnings to high school sports. Melrose usually features at least one All-State player. Jennifer and Amanda Cain both played high level college volleyball and many Melrose graduates played college and competitive club volleyball. Melrose annually ranks among the top-rated girls teams in opinion polls and the Maxpreps.com computer poll.
With Middlesex League Volleyball Night Thursday and playoffs just over the horizon, consider investing time in Melrose volleyball. You’re guaranteed “service” and “high returns.”
At Wakefield Tuesday
“The child whose brow tastes salty when kissed shall soon die.” - old German proverb
Fortunately times have changed. Melrose travels to Wakefield Tuesday. The Warriors are sponsoring a fundraiser for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis, one of the most common genetic diseases in America. The life expectancy of CF patients has increased substantially, moving into the thirties but much work remains.
For the charity, Wakefield will collect a five dollar admission fee.
Fortunately times have changed. Melrose travels to Wakefield Tuesday. The Warriors are sponsoring a fundraiser for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis, one of the most common genetic diseases in America. The life expectancy of CF patients has increased substantially, moving into the thirties but much work remains.
For the charity, Wakefield will collect a five dollar admission fee.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Why Coaches Lose Sleep
“Control what you can control.” Coaches, like players, control their attitude, choices, and effort.
We know that emotional intelligence parallels performance. EQ includes self-awareness (especially strengths, weaknesses, and resources), self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social interaction. Coaches blend task orientation with relationships to add value, get ‘buy-in’ and foster growth through culture, mindset, and mentoring.
Influencing players’ controllables separates excellence from mediocrity.
Academics. “There is no ability without eligibility.” Fortunately, Melrose players have a tradition of academic excellence.
Attitude. Weisinger and Pawliw-Fry preach establishing a metaphorical COTE of armor - confidence, optimism, tenacity, and enthusiasm. “The magic is in the work” and Coach Scott Celli praises the work of this season’s team.
Choices. The emotional intelligence discussed above includes both internal and external domains. How we treat teammates under stress (empathy) and limit drama (social interaction) often defines team success. Self-regulation informs our rest, nutrition, and personal discipline. Breakdowns such as alcohol use can destroy individuals and teams. Placing personal goals ahead of team success defines lapses in self-regulation and social intelligence. “It’s the scoreboard not the scorebook” that matters. The court is the coach’s classroom and laboratory but less than ten percent of the players’ lives.
Effort. How do we measure maximum effort? At the University of Kentucky, John Calipari measures players’ heart rates at practice. High effort players use a higher percentage of their peak heart rate. Experienced coaches sense when players and teams have their feet off the gas pedal. What coaches can’t always know is the distractions.
Outside forces. In some sports and programs, external influences like media, associates’ voices (you aren’t getting ‘your’ minutes, sets, touches), or recruitment (poaching) change the dynamic of teams and programs. Sports like Melrose volleyball and Reading hockey have kept the poachers on the fringe.
Melrose has again flourished with coaching and senior leadership in 2017. Control what you can and the coaches will sleep well.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
But Wait, There’s More. Middlesex League Volleyball Night
The Middlesex League reintroduces Volleyball Night on Thursday the 26th, with all twelve teams in action at Melrose. Games are scheduled for the Main and Marcoux gyms at 330, 530, and 730, with Melrose hosting Burlington at 730.
Years ago in the North Shore League, a similar format prevailed at Masconomet, with games followed by an awards ceremony.
“Make the big time where you are.” The Middlesex League has improved substantially throughout, paralleling the national rise in volleyball participation.
Years ago in the North Shore League, a similar format prevailed at Masconomet, with games followed by an awards ceremony.
“Make the big time where you are.” The Middlesex League has improved substantially throughout, paralleling the national rise in volleyball participation.
(Steve Karampalas photo)
Thursday will also be the final regular season home match for Melrose senior captains Jill Mercer, Lily Fitzgerald, Saoirse Connolly, and Lydia Lombardo. Chris Hurley profiles the team here.
The event should be a terrific celebration for all area volleyball fans.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Optimal State of Being
Operating at peak performance requires work.
The optimal state includes physical, emotional, mental, and psychological input.
Physical includes your health, conditioning, rest, and nutrition. In “The Winner’s Brain” the authors include rest, exercise, mental stimulation, and nutrition as critical factors. Adolescents function best with a minimum of eight hours sleep. Mental stimulation is not television. Yoga, playing a musical instrument, and learning a language are. We are what we eat. Fruits, especially two apples a day or a half cup of berries seem to have special benefits.
Emotional health includes emotional intelligence, how we see ourselves and how we interact with others. Daniel Goleman includes five components - self awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social interaction. The first three apply to us andg the latter two reflect our response to others. Self-regulation defines the theoretical space between inputs and our response. Those who lash out at others reflexively lack self-regulation skill...and it is a skill.
Intelligence is part of mental states...and as previously discussed, is constantly modified by study, experience, and training. Mindfulness improves attention, awareness, confidence, and habits. That can lead to better recall, grades, problem solving, creativity, and standardized test scores. Alcohol degrades short-term memory, not only immediately but for three to five days.
Psychology includes our attitude, outlook (e.g. optimism), and behaviors in context of given situations. Our capacity to play to win reflects attitudes toward risk and loss aversion.
We make our habits and our habits make us. Champions have championship habits. To operate at
your best, you must optimize what you control, your attitude, your choices, and your purposeful, nonjudgmental efforts.
The optimal state includes physical, emotional, mental, and psychological input.
Physical includes your health, conditioning, rest, and nutrition. In “The Winner’s Brain” the authors include rest, exercise, mental stimulation, and nutrition as critical factors. Adolescents function best with a minimum of eight hours sleep. Mental stimulation is not television. Yoga, playing a musical instrument, and learning a language are. We are what we eat. Fruits, especially two apples a day or a half cup of berries seem to have special benefits.
Emotional health includes emotional intelligence, how we see ourselves and how we interact with others. Daniel Goleman includes five components - self awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social interaction. The first three apply to us andg the latter two reflect our response to others. Self-regulation defines the theoretical space between inputs and our response. Those who lash out at others reflexively lack self-regulation skill...and it is a skill.
Intelligence is part of mental states...and as previously discussed, is constantly modified by study, experience, and training. Mindfulness improves attention, awareness, confidence, and habits. That can lead to better recall, grades, problem solving, creativity, and standardized test scores. Alcohol degrades short-term memory, not only immediately but for three to five days.
Psychology includes our attitude, outlook (e.g. optimism), and behaviors in context of given situations. Our capacity to play to win reflects attitudes toward risk and loss aversion.
We make our habits and our habits make us. Champions have championship habits. To operate at
your best, you must optimize what you control, your attitude, your choices, and your purposeful, nonjudgmental efforts.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Comparisons
Melrose has celebrated many excellent players and teams. Too often we want comparisons with this or that team, this or that student-athlete. Comparisons don't inform your narrative.
Ask better questions? What attention, commitment, discipline, effort, engagement, preparation, and sacrifice define you? Do you trust the process and your teammates?
Never let 'the noise' interfere with your process and your actions today. Noise comes in many voices; hear the worthy voices of your coaches and communicate 'early, loud, and often' on the court.
Singers share their poetic wisdom. In The Gambler, Kenny Rogers reminds us,
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done.
Savor the ride. Don't allow comparisons to rob your joy.
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