PLAYERS: Paying attention to somebody is a sign of respect. You might disagree w/the person, be bored, frustrated, or dislike what's being said, but you can still show respect & demonstrate what kind of CHARACTER YOU HAVE. It says more about YOU than it does the person talking.

The best players are coachable.

The best coaches are coachable.

Successful people learn, grow, develop, and move forward.

Riley Gaines talked about a variety of topics including her career at UK, being a newlywed, her favorite chicken sandwich, winning 🥎 LLWS, and her efforts to #SaveWomensSports

APPLE: bit.ly/3EEyxOJ
SPOTIFY: bit.ly/3EG3eTD
YOUTUBE: bit.ly/3SKxoel

ATHLETES: You are some of the biggest influencers in your schools. Will you influence positively or negatively? Will you use your platform for good? What will you do with the gift you've been given?

'You don't show up on game day and expect to be great. Greatness happens in practice. You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.' (Michael Jordan)

COACHES: Treat your athletes with respect, dignity, and empathy even when they do not return the favor, or they act immature, or they cost you a win. Be the adult. Be the positive leader. Be the example. Be one of the reasons they become a good adult one day.

Mamba Mentality

~ via Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation

PLAYERS: Paying attention to somebody is a sign of respect. You might disagree w/the person, be bored, frustrated, or dislike what's being said, but you can still show respect & demonstrate what kind of CHARACTER YOU HAVE. It says more about YOU than it does the person talking.

PLAYERS: Every team in America has a leading scorer. Every team has starters. Even the worst teams have starters and a leading scorer. The best teams care about winning. The best teams care about maximizing their potential. The best teams stay focused on their team goals.

PLAYERS: If you don't work hard in practice, you may not ever get the chance to play hard in a game.

COACHES: Our team's true culture is like an iceberg with most of it unseen. The unseen part makes or breaks our team. The things that go on in a cafeteria, dorm room, back of the bus, or locker room is our culture. How are we equipping our players for when we're not around?

Athletes who want to play and only have fun are 'PARTICIPANTS'

Athletes who work hard in practice & games are 'COMPETITORS'

Athletes who do what's right regardless of the situation are 'CHAMPIONS'

PLAYERS: If you want to have a better team, then become a better teammate. Become a better player. The best way to improve the team is to improve yourself. Great teams have great teammates.

“Toughness is the mental and physical strength to do what you need to do - no matter the consequence.” (Matt Rhule)

~ video from @TheCoachTube

COACHES: Every single day you have to fight for the culture that you want. You have to compete for the hearts and minds of your players. You have to intentionally inspire those that you lead. It's not always easy but it will always be worth the effort.

PLAYERS: How you do anything in life is how you do everything.

◽️ Late for class
◽️ Always has an excuse
◽️ Never keeps their word
◽️ Doesn't complete school work
◽️ Disrespects teachers/coaches/parents

These players are rarely good teammates.

~via Jon Beck

PLAYERS: Just because your coach, the media, or anybody else doesn't give you the credit or praise that you think you deserve doesn't mean you stop doing what's right. Integrity is not situational. It's always the right time to do what's right. Keep doing what you need to do.

'When you're tired, what do you start thinking about? YOU

𝘽𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧!

They show up all the time.' (Coach K)

~ via @TheCoachTube

COACHES: You might have bad parents, bad players, or bad administrators but it is still your responsibility to continually improve as a coach, be a positive leader, and find ways to make everyone in your program better. Set the standard. Be the standard. Model the standard.

Good thoughts from Lewis Caralla