Separating the Good from Great

Today's post comes from an email I was forwarded that was written by Jamie Rice, the head coach at Babson College.

"I just returned from the BU/Michigan game, and while the game had plenty in it to think about and discuss from a hockey and tactical standpoint, there was something that struck me as what makes a championship team/creates a winning culture... following the game I went down to the locker rooms to say hello to the BU and Michigan coaches, and within 10 minutes following the game the entire BU team was finishing their shakes, eating some pizza AND immediately heading into the weight room, where the following activities were taking place;

players were stretching out, and using foam rollers, players were riding air-dynes, players were RUNNING on the treadmills, players were lifting weights, players were getting and performing self muscle massage, players were talking about the game. They were doing this willingly and eagerly, with no one trying to duck out...they were enjoying the workout as much as they did winning. Obviously, the scientific physiological reason was to dissipate LACTIC ACID as quickly as possible to help ensure their bodies would be ready to perform when needed next. It would be easy to dismiss this as DI scholarship athlete's "doing their job". However, I spoke with one of their coaches and the strength coach, and they both said two different, but related things"We are sick of being a second tier team, and this is an area where we can beat our opponents, in our training/recovery...of working SMARTLY while others rest.""It is a mindset, and certainly beneficial from a physical standpoint, but our belief is that we will stop at nothing to improve. We can only get better if we work at self-improvement." Think of Mike Venit's season last year...Mike rode the bike following every game, and would then again ride every Saturday morning (when we were home). Mike wasn't satisfied with how his career had gone, so he decided to impart change. What do you want to do...how do you want to play...what outcome do you desire? BU won 7-2, and the outcome was never in question...it also was apparent to me following the game that the seeds for success were planted well before 7pm last night, they were planted while others were taking the easy path, looking for short cuts, or using the time away from their teammates to hide..."

Kind of speaks for itself. Do you want to be good or great?