Coach Saban's Camp Speech about Attitude and Effort

Coach Saban sharing a message about Effort, Attitude, Relentlessness and other items that are vital for significant achievement.  You can do two things with your time.... Invest it or Spend it

Program Development IV. (Overview and Mental Training)

Let us begin with a brief overview of what Program Development items we have covered thus far.

1. Each member of our program goes through a Self Evaluation process each Post-Season, Off-Season and Pre-Season.  These evaluations cover Mental, Physical and Social Skill development.
2. These Self Evaluations are used for formal Goal Setting sessions each Post-Season, Off-Season and Pre-Season.  The Goal Setting sessions cover Mental, Physical and Social Skill development.
3. We utilize the SMART method for setting goals.  They must be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. 
4. Each member of the program is asked to determine where they are at on Maslow's Hierarchy. This allows each individual to enhance their awareness of the obstacles that stand in the way of them fully focusing their motivation upon achieving their goals.

So, why are we concerned with the Mental, Physical and Social Development of the members of our organization?   

Simply put, we feel that these elements are vital for our Team's success and the success of our members throughout the course of their lives.  As a program, we want our players to gain mental, physical and social skills that will help to raise their quality of living for a lifetime.


NINE MENTAL SKILLS FOR ATHLETIC SUCCESS

1. A Positive Attitude.
2. Self-Evaluate and Goal Set 3 times per year.
3. Be Self Motivated.
4. Allow others to facilitate you as you work to reach your goals.
5. Maintain focus / concentration.
6. Utilize positive self-talk.
7. Utilize positive mental imagery.
8. Manage anxiety effectively.
9. Manage emotions effectively.

The foundation for mental development / progress is having a positive attitude or outlook.  This journey is about being your personal best.  It is an opportunity for self improvement and progress.  Self-Evaluation and Goal Setting allow you to determine where you are at, where you are going and how you will get there.  It is your personal journey and being self motivated is vital.  You must allow others (coaches, parents, teachers, etc) to facilitate you as you work to reach your goals.  Maintaining focus as you are competing or working towards your goals is of great importance.  When you find yourself lacking concentration you could utilize a key term such as "Lock In" or clap twice to regain focus.  Positive self-talk allows you to regulate your thoughts, feelings and actions during competition.  Mental imagery is the process of you seeing the success before it happens.  If you can see it, you can achieve it.  Anxiety is a part of everyday life and at times it can help you perform well.  The key is reducing anxiety when it becomes too strong without losing your intensity.  This helps to keep emotions under control and maintain a positive attitude that leads to success.


Coach Fowler is the Head Football Coach at Hanford West High School in Hanford, California  

Program Development III. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

In 1943 Abraham Maslow wrote a paper entitled, "A Theory of Human Motivation" which included his theory regarding the hierarchy of needs.  Essentially, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs suggests that our most basic level needs must be met first before we focus motivation upon the higher level needs.  The level of needs are seen below:

• Physiological-  These are basic items needed for survival.  Such as breathing, food, water and sleep.
• Safety-  These include items such personal security, health / well being and financial security.
• Love and Belonging-  These include items such as friendship, family and intimacy. 
• Esteem-  These include items such as self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of others and respect by others.
• Self-Actualization-  This is basically the realization of one's full potential.

In essence, if I do not have food, water or shelter my focus will be on those basic needs and not my motivation to achieve my full potential.  The movie "Rudy" to some degree reminds me of this process as he had to work through several obstacles to achieve his dream of playing for Notre Dame.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs can be utilized as a method for self assessment.  It is a worthwhile process to realistically determine where you are at and what steps you need to take to enhance your motivation to achieve your personal best.  In the end, you may not be able to change your boat but you certainly can change the direction of your sails.


Coach Fowler is the Head Football Coach at Hanford West High School in Hanford, California. 

Program Development II. (SMART Goals / Implications)

A quick summary of post #1 on Program Development / Evaluations / Goal Setting.

• The Goal Setting process must start with a Self Evaluation.  This provides a starting point for the Goal Setting Journey.
• We Evaluate the Mental, Physical and Social Development of our players and staff.
• These "Self Evaluations" are conducted 3 times per year.  Post Season, Off Season and Pre Season. 
• The "Self Evaluations" are platforms for the Goal Setting Sessions which are also conducted each Post Season, Off Season and Pre Season.
• The objective of our Goal Setting Sessions focus upon how we can collectively facilitate each member of the organization as they work to achieve their Mental, Physical and Social Goals.
• In Season we use Commitment Cards on a weekly basis.

Zig Ziglar mentions that most people do not actively set goals because they just don't know how to.  The easiest and most effective way to cure this issue is to focus upon setting SMART Goals. 

SMART Goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.

• SPECIFIC GOALS- Focus upon the Who, What, Where, When, Which and Why.  A general goal would be to "Get in shape".  A specific goal would be to "Workout 4 days per week at the gym to increase your bench, squat and clean by a certain amount while lowering your body fat and 40 yard dash by a certain amount". 
• MEASURABLE GOALS- Are those that focus upon How Much, How Many and How Will I Know It Is Achieved.  For instance, "During the Off-Season I am going to increase my hang clean by 20 lbs". 
• ATTAINABLE GOALS- This is a process in which you must determine what goals are most important to you and do you have the resources to attain them.  Most goals are attainable when you plan your time and steps wisely. 
• REALISTIC GOALS- These goals must represent an objective you are both willing and able to work.  Goals can be both high and realistic but you must make certain that all goals represent substantial progress.
• TIMELY GOALS- A goal should incompass a time frame.  An example of a timely goal is, "I want to have a 4.0 GPA this next 6 week grading period".

IMPLICATIONS OF THE EVALUATION / GOAL SETTING PROCESS ON PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

• A program filled with members who are intrinsically motivated.
• A program filled with members who have a pupose and mission for each day.
• A program filled with members who work collectively to facilitate each other's progress.
• Reduced discipline issues.
• Reduced absenteeism
• Enhanced production
• Increased work efficiency
• A culture that is continually evolving yet positive.

HW PLAYER’S SELF EVALUATION FORM

NAME:__________________________GRADE:_________POSITION:___________

1= FAR BELOW     2= BELOW     3=AVERAGE     4= PROFICIENT     5= GREAT

       1.  Physical Skill                                                                                                     

a. Speed                              1                      2                      3                      4                      5

b. Strength                           1                      2                      3                      4                      5

c. Agility                               1                      2                      3                      4                      5

d. Positional Skills                 1                      2                      3                      4                      5

2.  Mental Skill                                                                                                        

a. Focus                               1                      2                      3                      4                      5

b. Memory                            1                      2                      3                      4                      5

c. Fight Adversity                1                      2                      3                      4                      5

d. Coachable                       1                      2                      3                      4                      5

3.  Work Ethic                                                                                               

a. In Classroom                    1                      2                      3                      4                      5

b. On field                            1                      2                      3                      4                      5

c. Weight room                     1                      2                      3                      4                      5

d. Home                                1                      2                      3                      4                      5

4.  Team Member                                                                                          

a. Leadership                       1                      2                      3                      4                      5

b. Reliability                          1                      2                      3                      4                      5

c. Compete                           1                      2                      3                      4                      5

d. Outreach                          1                      2                      3                      4                      5

Notes:_____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

What is your:

Bench:_______       Squat:_______       Clean:_______       40:_______       GPA:_______

           

Goals for your:

Bench:_______       Squat:_______       Clean:_______       40:_______       GPA:_______

Currently, I am working at a ______________ level of the offensive depth chart:

Currently, I am working at a ______________ level of the defensive depth chart:

 

Coach Fowler is the Head Football Coach at Hanford West High School in Hanford, California.

Program Development I. (Evaluations and Goal Setting)

The great Zig Ziglar once stated that studies tell us only 3% of people in the USA set goals, and they are among the wealthiest people in the nation!  While it is true that all of us have dreams, few of us take the time to formally write down our goals for achieving our dreams.  Essentially, this is like driving to another state on vacation without a road map or directions.  In order for us to know where we are going... we must first know where we currently are.  Thus, any concise goal setting session must first start with a self-evaluation.
Our Self-Evaluation / Goal Setting Sessions take place 3 times per year.

• Post-Season Session (December prior to Winter Break)

This is a moment for players, coaches and support staff to evaluate the season and their mental, physical and social development.  Each member of the organization will be provided a Self-Evaluation Form to fill out.  The Head Football Coach will then formally meet with each individual for a debriefing / goal setting session.  The objective for each meeting is to gain an honest evaluation of where we are at and how we can collectively facilitate each individual as they work to achieve their Off-Season Goals.

• Off-Season Session (April prior to Spring Break)

This is a moment for players, coaches and support staff to evaluate the Off-Season and their mental, physical and social development.  Self Evaluation Forms are once again filled out and the Head Football Coach meets with each individual for debriefing / goal setting.  The objective for each meeting is to honestly evaluate the progress made from January to April and to determine how we can collectively facilitate each individual as they work to achieve their Pre-Season Goals. 

• Pre-Season Session (July prior to the end of Summer Camp)

This is a moment for players, coaches and support staff to evaluate the Pre-Season and their mental, physical and social development.  Self Evaluation Forms are once again filled out and the Head Football Coach / Position Coaches meet with each individual to debrief and set In-Season Goals.  The objective for each meeting is to honestly evaluate the progress made from April to July and to determine how we can collectively faciliate each individual as they work to achieve their In-Season Goals.

• During the Season we ask each player to list 3 Weekly Goals on a 3x5 card which they share with a teammate.  During our final film session of the week, each individual will share out on their partners progress throughout the week.  

Program Development II. will cover how to set SMART Goals and the impacts that Evaluation / Goal Setting can have on Program Development.



Coach Fowler is the Head Football Coach at Hanford West High School in Hanford, California.