I have questions. The first question I have is “where are we headed?” We live in a world that basically doesn’t work. We have territorial wars. We have religious wars. We have other ideological conflicts. It sounds like the world in 300 B.C. … so much for technology. We live in a world that is [...]
As I progressed through school “way back in the day,” I remember that my educators and other adults were saying the objective of my education was to be “well-rounded.” I think that I was, and by comparison to my friends, definitely was.My parents provided books at home on different subjects. I played all the sports [...]
The issue I have with specialization, and have had for years is this: 1. The participant (athlete) is told that if he/she doesn’t specialize they might not be able to compete at the next level. No one knows that. 2. The athlete is being are being told they need to specialize by a selfish parent [...]
In this conversation about college athletes being paid I hope none of you are holding on to the illusion that college athletes are amateurs. Even if they don’t receive cash money, they are organized around a schedule that demands professionalism. In-season training, off-season training that includes some type of summer training or competition or both [...]
Since everything is created in language, what do you suppose boy/girl relationships are going to look at when this is the language used? Bitches, ho’s, whores, sluts, skanks, etc. Do you see any respect in those words? Is this how you want your mom to be viewed? What about your wife, your sister, your girlfriend, [...]
The May 10th issue of Sports Illustrated features an article titled, “Then There Were Four” by Chris Ballard. The story is about the actions Coach Mike Allen took with the basketball team at Gunderson High School (San Jose, CA). If you have seen the old movie Mr. Carter that starred Samuel L. Jackson you have [...]
How do we get full engagement from people on our teams, in our projects and in our lives? What determines the quality of their performance? What has us able to be consistent with any group given the divergent points of view we are working with? I am not thinking about agreement … too limiting and [...]
Many times the five-, six- or seven-year-old wants to play a particular sport because of an adult's influence (Mom, Dad, Coach, etc.). Since it was really someone else’s choice in the beginning, it is important that they learn something and have fun in the process. Also, there will be varying levels of skill at the [...]
One of the errors I think we make in coaching kids is that we don’t give them enough credit for what they already know or sense or feel. Since they were born (and probably before), they have been little sponges just soaking up everything going on around them. The prime sounds, of course, come from [...]
Something that continues to bother me is the lack of respect shown to each other by people of all ages, but especially our young folks. Disrespect for their elders, teachers, coaches and peers and especially each other. You can say I am old school. I’m not hip. I’m not cool. Don’t waste your breath. I [...]