Start-Of-Drive

Start-of-Drive

-A football term; refers to beginning of every offensive or defensive drive.

In football and life in general, we can’t dictate where the refs will spot the ball, or when success and failure will occur. However, we continue to move forward, regardless of the circumstances. In football, it is the Offense’s job to respond by creating success wherever the ball is spotted.  As God may have it, we are placed in terrible spots throughout life.  He expects us to continue believing through faith, so we can become spiritually stronger, better, and thankful.

In football, as you see in the NFL and at collegiate level, predictability is anything but certain.  The randomness of life can at times create doubt and fear.  This is when you need God, Friends, Coaches, Parents, or anyone that can help you M.O.V.E.:

Motivate. Overcome. Visualize. Empower.

A person’s perspective has the ability to make great changes.  With the willingness to have an open heart to Christ, perspective can provide the knowledge needed to help you conquer your fears, help you understand you purpose, and how to encourage and help others.  My purpose is to help athletes transition from youth to adulthood.  I’ve been blessed to use football as tool to teach about Christ, Character, Confidence, and Circumstance.

God gives everyone a gift

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ⁴ There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. ⁵ There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. ⁶ There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.⁷ The evidence of the Spirit’s presence is given to each person for the common good of everyone.

Football is God’s gift to me. Although my opportunity to play the game has passed (as it does for all athletes), the gift of football now extends far beyond pigskins & Turf.

Through Football, God allows me to

> Give great effort regardless of the outcome.

> learn and recover from the lessons of success & failure.

> Achieve personal goals and reach milestones through team success.

God used Football to help me become a better Christian, Teacher, Father, and Husband.

As life changes, so does the game.

Change is new beginnings.

Start of Drive is where Football & Life Begin.

What Can Stop You? Attitude!

Attitude – Affects your effort
Attitude – Affects your teammates’ effort
Attitude – Affects how you are coached
Attitude – Affects your ability to learn
Attitude – Affects your mental physical preparation
Attitude – Affects your execution

Teach For Trust Then Production

There is a secret formula to winning football games, and the secret lies within winning the players trust. Coaches are teachers, counselors, friends, and parents.  It’s very important that every player in the program understands that we are there for them.  Players shouldn’t be afraid to have a discussion about their issues or concerns no matter what they may be.  Trust is a vital component in winning; the team has to trust that their coaches are making the right decisions for them on and off the field.  When they trust you as a person, they’ll trust you as a coach, therefore creating a high level of productivity on the field.

Grit: a hard coarse-grained siliceous sandstone. / fortitude & determination/ Clench together.

There are many verbs, nouns and definition to describe great teams, players, and organizations. “Grit” a rarely used word to describe the characteristic of champions. Is it because we think of Al Green and his infamous hot “grits” incident.  Could it be the sound of the actual word (Grit). It lacks the flare in which we associate our favorite teams, athletes, and champions.  i would also argue people see “Grit” as hard work.  Yet, we don’t associate grit as a key component in success, but we acknowledge hard work.  We like to see champions and success as gifted individuals or so talented that they can dominate anybody of average standard. Grit isn’t sexy, it also isn’t easily nurtured; however its easy to identify.
I like to think a person with “grit” can fail and continue to give the same if not a greater effort until the objective is complete. As talented is Michael Jordan was winning 7 championships, it also took him 7 years to win his first championship.
The epic football movie Rudy, played by (Sean Austin), captured the true meaning of “grit”. In this particular moment during the movie, Rudy is trying out for the great Notre Dame football team. He is much smaller and weaker the many if not all of the players on the team. He was constantly knocked down, but never knocked out. He always got up, and because of his “grit” he’s become iconic in the world of Notre Dame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBq_lpX9LTw (Click to Watch).

Having “grit” may be the driving force behind the success of our favorite athletes, teams and organizations. Without “grit” how can you handle failure. I want to be clear “grit” is a component of success, talent is always wanted and needed.  But to have talent and grit, that’s a combination and blueprint for superstar status.  Talent alone is just potential, but with grit potential is endless.

Fight as a Family

As you watch this video think about how do you fight as a family when faced with adversity. Do you point the finger? Do you play the blame game? Do help your family knowing it helps you? I would argue we all have individuals fights in which we may win or lose. However, every fight you have as a family should be together. Win, Lose, or Draw. Can you turn to your left or right and see you family going through the same struggle you are? If so, that’s the definition of “fighting the good fight”.