GOOMLA (Get Off of My Lawn)

What the heck is GOOMLA? 

"Get off of my lawn." First made famous by Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino, it references the OG, set in our ways, living in the past. Sometimes that can be good, specifically referring to "America's Greatest Generation" and other times it's pejorative. 

Records are meant to be broken and teams meant to surpass historic achievements.

I've referenced three eras in Melrose Volleyball. 

• 2003-2005, 'The First Dynasty', a three-peat of sectional titles
• 2009-2012, 'The Second Dynasty', a four-peat and State Title
• 2021-2022, 'The Third Dynasty', a repeat of sectional titles

The 2012 team was stacked, with four players destined to earn All-State honors and a pair (Brooke Bell and Sarah McGowan) named to the Boston Herald All-Decade Team. 

So, the current team, always a work in progress, is in the company of some robust lawns. 

I'll be writing more about habit formation, sharing more from James Clear. First, let's share again Clear's framework:

How can you improve your practice habits? 

Obvious. Get off on the right foot. Urban Meyer speaks of "crossing the red line." The boundaries of the practice court are red. Be "fired up and ready to go” when you step over that line. 

Attractive. Call attention to yourself. A former Melrose player shared that she walked onto the court standing tall, head up, chest out. Let everyone know that the best player on the court just arrived. There's the psychological benefit (self-efficacy) but also the physiologic benefit of the "power position." It increases testosterone and decreases stress hormones. 

Easy. Pack your gym bag the night before. Have your water or sports drink, your healthy snack (e.g. an apple), and your favorite T-shirt with your gear. Keep your backpack or gym bag by the front door. You can add a 'sticky note' next to the door if you want. 

Satisfying. Track your progress with whatever you're working on. Maybe your vertical jump has increased a few inches. Or your 'serving percentage' is rising. "Winners are trackers," writes Darren Hardy in The Compound Effect. 

Lagniappe. Recently I watched a livestream between two excellent teams. The difference was serve receive consistency.

 

Practice receiving harder-hit balls. Listen to the expert.