As I mention in this piece from 2014, the dates aren’t what is important… substitute July 31, 2017 for August 4, 2014 and call it good…
The “Dash”
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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Getting “Tough”
In a recent post, When Everyone Stops to Watch, I listed a litany of ways that having a Middle School (or High School) Strength and Conditioning class benefits your student-athletes. After re-reading that post, I realized that I omitted possibly the most important benefit – toughness!
Although “toughness” is difficult to measure and quantify, I know that by the end of the year… in the second semester of having the class… the athletes (students) that are in the class are tougher mentally and physically.
I can see their toughness demonstrated in a variety of ways.
Once a month at our school every student enrolled in Physical Education (in Strength and Conditioning as well as the regular PE classes) complete the 20-meter Pacer test. By the second semester, I can see the students that are taking Strength and Conditioning compete better. It is not just a matter of improving physically… I can see them continue to run past the point where it begins to get uncomfortable for them… they realize They Can Do More… they are developing toughness.
Since I have students form all sports enrolled in the class… both boys and girls… not just football players… I make it a point to attend and watch them participate in their respective sports. This year I was able to attend contests in all of the sports at our school.
Even if I did not know which students were in Strength and Conditioning (the vast majority are) I could tell who is taking the class by how they compete and how tough they are… how confident they are.
Of course I am biased, but the athletes that have been training in Strength and Conditioning class carry themselves differently… they handle adversity differently… they prepare differently.
Now project these physical and mental improvements over the next 4-5 years as they continue in high school.
Toughness is a trait… a character trait… that will help athletes in whatever sport they participate in.
For that matter toughness is an attribute that will serve them well once they complete their days as an athlete… it is a life skill.
I realize that for the most part this is preaching to the choir…
Starting a Strength and Conditioning program in your middle school(s) is the exact right time to do it… if I can help in any way let me know.
Related Posts:
- Training Mental Toughness
- You Can Do This
- The Case for Middle School Strength and Conditioning
- Resilience
Remember – You Can Do More… your brain is lying to you…. Don’t Believe It!
Jeff Floyd – youcandomore1@yahoo.com
A Championship Softball Off-Season
I thought it appropriate to reblog this post today.
Paige Parker, pitcher for the University of Oklahoma softball team, won a NCAA National Championship yesterday. I ran this post three years ago during the off-season after Paige and her Truman HS teammates (led by Coach Amy Broughton) won the Missouri State HS championship.
On a side note… Coach Amy Broughton was in attendance at OU’s championship contest yesterday!
The Little Things are Big
I was asked by a colleague today if I could repost this… so here it is.
This is one of my favorite posts, and it is primarily targeting the athletes in our programs… so feel free to share!
Beyond Moral Victories
With the announcement that Fort Osage football coach Ryan Schartz will be stepping down to become Athletic Director, I thought it a good time to reblog this post. The story of Coach Schartz and the amazing turnaround of the Fort Osage Football program, culminating in this years 5A Missouri State Championship is one for the ages.
Bronco Owner Pat Bowlen Is …
This was my post from a couple of years ago… very appropriate for today. Congratulations to Pat Bowlen and the Broncos for their Super Bowl 50 victory.
Recruiting – How Interested are They?
I have had a many requests for links to all of the posts regarding the Level of Interest Pyramid (Recruiting – Gauging Their Level of Interest). Following are the links, in order, for all of these posts:
- Recruiting – Gauging Their Level of Interest
- Recruiting – First Impressions
- Recruiting – Email, Texts, and Phone Calls
- Recruiting – The Official Visit
- Recruiting – The Home Visit
- Recruiting – The Scholarship Offer
- Recruiting – The National Letter of Intent
I have also created a “Magazine” on Flipboard (see Apps for the Coach) that puts all of these posts in one location that you can read (and share) on your mobile device. This is a link to the Flipboard Magazine:
Recruiting – Gauging Their Level of Interest
In addition to these written posts, I have recently launched my YouTube Channel that deals specifically with the recruiting process. The channel can be found here : The YouCanDoMore YouTube Channel, and the complete playlist can be viewed here.
Questions and Comments are always welcome!
Jeff Floyd – youcandomore1@yahoo.com
A Football Life – Lombardi and Gifford
Some don’t remember that Gifford and Lombardi are connected… this was a post from about a year ago, but I wanted to resurrect it today in honor of Gifford’s passing.
The Lombardi Effect
A TBT post from a couple of years ago… Today is Vince Lombardi’s birthday
Some other Lombardi references:
Enjoy!
Signing Day and Recruiting
This post is, of course, still very relevant this year. I am amazed each year with the flurry of recruiting activity (mainly from those student-athletes wanting to get recruited) during the month of January. This really is something that student-athletes (and their families) should be taking care of beginning with their 9th and 10th grade years. Hopefully this information will find its way into some of those young student athletes hands … and heads!