At the surface level, our team mantra means exactly what it says. Play as hard as you can, play in "concert" with each other other focus on what can be done NOW, in order to win.
But, not unlike an iceberg, who's earth showing tip, hides an enormous mountain beneath, our core values have much deeper meanings beneath.
What our mantra is meant to describe is the reason that we play basketball. We play for the joy of competing, we play for the joy of competing with each other, and we play for the joy of winning.
Our mantra will evolve into many meanings as we go through the journey of a season together.
But at its core, this is what our program is trying to develop...
I believe that every person has a calling in life. A dream. For some, that may be basketball, for others it may not.
I always had this sense, and for a long time I didnt even realize it, that I would be a coach.
It started with having two younger brothers. I was the classic older brother, tricking them into doing the dishes, as part of some elaborate ruse, or getting them to do my yard work as part of some thinly veiled game.
It found motivation from my high school athletic career, where an un-sureness of who I was and a fear of failure, resulted in an underwhelming playing career that lacked focus, confidence and any sign of a competitive spirit.
In rekindled in college, when I started to find myself. Started to find that I was pretty good at working with people. Connecting with them and motivating them. A strength in leadership began to reveal itself.
After a year in the working world, I took the first bold step of my life. I decided to go all in on coaching. A world that made me incredibly vulnerable.
After 10 years of sticking with it, I learned the most valuable lesson of them all. What sports is really about. Its about competing as a means for growth. Its about being part of a community, a group of like minded people to be a part of. And its about being part of a process. Waking up everyday and wanting to get better at something. It is the thrill of a lifetime.
And that is what our program is about. Its about competing, its about community and its about the process.
Its about playing hard, playing together, and playing to W.I.N!
COMPONENTS OF PLAY HARD, PLAY TOGETHER, PLAY TO WIN
AWARENESS
FOCUS
CONFIDENCE
COMPETITIVE SPIRIT What we mean by "play hard," is to embrace competition as a means for growth.
Just like we strengthen our bodies as to face greater challenges, so do we strengthen our mind, through competition.
We need to push ourselves beyond our boundaries, and out of our comfort zones so that we can strengthen our focus, confidence and competitive drive.
AWARENESS
Know who you are
Maximize your potential
Victory to the vulnerable
FOCUS
CONFIDENCE
COMPETITIVENESS
We define it as being your best self, in the moment.
A lot goes into playing hard..
This is going to be hard (:
AWARENESS
Of who you are
"Solid, firm and rigid. Not easily bent or pierced."
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "PLAY HARD"
Playing hard means being fully present in competition. It means total focus on the task at hand. It means competitive adrenaline pumping through your veins.
WHAT IS OUR REASON TO "PLAY HARD"
Playing hard, and competing, is a means for growth. We are constantly pushing the limits of what we are capable of doing. How can you every know unless you push it.
HOW DO WE "PLAY HARD"
AWARENESS
When a player is asked to run a sprint from baseline to baseline as hard as he can, he usually knows what that means. But, if we asked a player to "stay present" for 40 minutes, they likely will not know what that means.
FOCUSED
Total awareness.
Focus and awareness.
RESILIENT (MENTALLY TOUGH)
Working, in flow, with the moment. Not against it.
Absence of fear and judgment. Focused and aware.
COMPETITIVE
As a means for growth.
Pushing self, to see how far you can go.
Win/win. Not a zero sum game. Your opponent is there to challenge you.
EXTRA
1. Pulling Carpet Story
2. Personal relationship with competition
3. Dancing to the other side of room metaphor
4. Be where your feet are story
