And or But

All opinions are solely mine. This blog does not represent opinions of the City of Melrose, the Melrose School Department, the Athletic Department, or Melrose High School. Don't blame them. 

Coach Nick Saban is a polarizing figure, creating cognitive dissonance, opposing thoughts about the same subject. He is one of the most accomplished college coaches in history. In the clip he discusses, "and" or "but" appended to your athletic profile. 

Don't give evaluators a reason to add "but" to your resume. 

Young people have many temptations which terrify coaches. Coaches counsel standards of behavior or Code of Conduct and most players get the message. "Unwritten" standards also apply. 

• Your school and the Middlesex League have chemical health standards for reasons. Use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products threaten your health and performance. Years ago parents allowed alcohol to be used at a party in their Massachusetts community. In the morning, a teen was found dead in their home. Not drunk, dead. 
• Social media can hurt you. Showing up in a photograph at a party where alcohol or drugs are being used may implicate you. Nowadays, people feel compelled to post their bad behavior. Who would have guessed that could come back and bite you? "Don't let 140 characters take away $140,000 scholarship. 
• Not everyone can be a great player but everyone can be a great teammate. Talk your teammates up, don't put them down. 
• Your choices affect your teammates. "Did you hear what the Melrose volleyball player did?" 
• Actions have consequences. Years ago a Middlesex League team (not Melrose) was favored to go deep in the basketball playoffs. One girl "stole" a teammate's boyfriend just before the postseason. The team fractured and got eliminated early. "Talent isn't enough." 
• Everything counts. Your behavior at home, academics, and your performance on the court all matter. 

"You wouldn't understand. You're old." Everyone who is old was once young. Life brings challenges, ups and downs, joy and sadness. Choose to be an "and" player not a "but" player. 

Lagniappe. By now you should have 'knowledge fatigue' about technical, tactical, physical, and psychological development. Sport rewards explosiveness, so train physicality.

 

Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden gave every returning player a new ball at the end of the season. They had to return it at the beginning of the new season. It had better look used. Coaches don't have to ask if you're working on your game. It shows. "Champions do extra."