October Orientation / Areas for Improvement

Beginning the last full week in September, it is impossible to not think about the cold dark evenings which are ahead. This group will take them on together! 

The quote below is about history, but it struck me as the story of an athlete. You train and train and train, and often it feels like nothing is happening, until the day that changes your career and trajectory forever. 

"There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen."

This is what we show up every day for, and make sure you can feel in the air. Each rep can have in it a seed of hope - that a new chapter could be about to begin. The frustration can be triumphed over by the next iteration of your skill development. Or, you can have submitted to the current circumstances and be moving through the motions while time and opportunity pass you by.

The choice is always yours.

One of our favorite perspectives to share at the beginning of training is “The next two hours are going to happen regardless, work to make the most of them.” 

The fact that follows, which we are maybe most proud of, is that every player at the academy shows up almost daily to maximize those two hours. Every day could be ‘the day,’ and we must continue to fight to make it such. 

These coming months are the ones that tie the bow on a great 2025, and it is our intent to make them the best months of the year. Truly, they are our favorites. Nothing is given from October - February, this is when players can separate forever, and absolutely earn it. Achieving ‘exit velocity,' leaving their old peers behind forever. 

And now, as the fall sport athletes begin returning to the community, it is critical the standards are clear and easily understood! Therefore:

A couple details I think every player can/must continue to improve on.

1. Hydration: A good investment, the ole gallon water jug. Or at least a half gallon for training. These small Stanley's are terrible and waste 15-25 minutes being refilled by every player. We believe time is precious!

2. Nutrition: Even a small bar after training goes a long way. 

3. Keep training sacred: We know after a long day at school it is almost therapeutic to catch up with friends, however, we have a short window of time to do something great, and that needs to be the focus. This is not a complete condemnation of behavior, but the call to a higher standard. If a stranger walked up who did not know you or your dreams, could they tell you have great expectations for yourself?  You want to be excellent?

4. Respect the Space: If you are a parent reading this, (Thankful for you) please remind your player we are beyond blessed to have the barn and field space. We cannot take it for granted. Player, continue becoming someone of integrity. If you see trash, pick it up, when we ball hunt, do your best to find them all. The small details matter and go a long way. If we do not stay on top of this daily the environment will always trend towards disorder, we will keep it in order by sheer will.

Details to begin thinking about for the future.  (October - February)

1. Get yourself a good pair of gloves. Think of how you will keep your hands working while playing lacrosse and lifting. Your hands are pretty important. We’d classify them as critical. 

2. How will you keep your feet warm? A good pair of socks goes a long way.

3. Being warm is the battle which makes performance possible, do not take it lightly.

One day at a time!

Persevere,

Henry Schertzinger

“Don’t wait for the ‘right moment’ — make the moment right.” -  St. Josemaría Escrivá