motivation

Column: A challenge to get better every day
One year ago, I made a New Year’s resolution to read 25 books by the end of 2017. It was an ambitious goal, and one that came with a high probability of failure, but I didn’t let that discourage me. If you’re not willing to set your sights high...

Four principles to make your team ‘lucky’
Maybe not frequently, but often enough I’ll have a conversation with a parent, an opposing coach, or even a player that invokes the word luck in relation to a volleyball match. Comments like, “Boy, you were lucky Sally stepped up when Suzie wasn�...

Five tips to create a positive practice environment
As leaders, we must strive to create a positive environment that allows our players to thrive. I take a lot of pride in the fact that my players enjoy practice. That doesn’t mean practice is not difficult, but as coaches we can create an environmen...

‘You… and Your Program:’ Five valuable lessons for athletes
As coaches, we often fail to define what we actually mean with the terminology in our programs. I’m no different. During many years of coaching, I assumed players understood the meaning behind my words and phrases. For those who make the same mist...

Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis offers advice for parents, athletes
Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis believes it's healthy for athletes to feel pressure when competing in sports — as long as the pressure is not coming from parents. [caption id="attachment_24540" align="alignright" width="242"] Photo vi...

A tribute to the strength of coaches
It has been said that life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. Two undeniable and highly visible characteristics of great coaches are their indelible courage and inner strength. All aspects and categories of the coaching profession ...

Between the Lines: Motivating athletes with more than words
There’s a scene from the movie “Remember the Titans” where coach Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, leads his team on a grueling morning run. They maneuver through forests and splash through creeks before arriving at Gettysburg, whe...

Video: Rex Ryan delivers message to high school football team
The Canisius High School (New York) football team plays for a state championship tonight, and to get the players in the right state of mind Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan stopped by to address the team. The school posted a short clip of Ryan'...