"Chop Wood, Carry Water" (Clip and Save Edition)

Young Richie McCaw wanted to play for the legendary New Zealand All-Blacks rugby team someday. His uncle knew that and told the eight year-old to write his name, Richie McCaw, G.A.B. Richie McCaw, Greatest All-Black. 

Seeing it helped the youngster become it.

Joshua Metcalf wrote the book, Chop Wood, Carry Water. Fall in love with the process of becoming the metaphorical elite archer. Devote yourself to the daily hard work of skill building, game understanding, physical and psychological hardening. "Understand that creating something worthwhile requires time, discipline, and being in love with the process."

Doing extra workouts during the summer won't guarantee that you'll be 'the best' but it helps you to become your best. 

Can you jump rope continuously for five minutes? Fifty plus years ago, we began basketball practice with five minutes of continuous jumping rope. 

You might say, "that's hard." The process is hard. Winning is hard. That's what makes it valuable. 

Lagniappe. "Blocking is an attitude." 

Blocking always is critical to a team's success. In 2004, a Lynnfield All-Scholastic came into the Daffinee Gym hoping to upset Melrose. Paula Sen was having none of it with four early blocks that demoralized Lynnfield. The 2023 version of Melrose volleyball has the potential to be an excellent blocking squad, if they make a supreme commitment to blocking. 

Lagniappe 2. Coach Celli shared yesterday that there are 58 days until tryouts, with home scrimmages at 5:00 against Peabody on August 29 and Marblehead on August 31. The playday is expected on September 2. 

Lagniappe 3. Summer is a great time for learning. What book are you reading today? Today, I reread Chop Wood, Carry Water.