I have seen players go from pure brilliance to struggling with the basics. All because of something that can’t be seen!
Anyone who trains with us knows we are HUGE on the quality of the lacrosse balls and believe the stick matters in being a great player. However, nothing is more valuable than confidence. On and off the field! Winston Churchill was famous for saying “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality that guarantees all the others.” And I will stand by you can’t play fearless without being fully filled with confidence.
So as a player where do we begin? Is it like turning on the lights?
Even before the one in the mirror - the first place to begin investing is the environment. Become aware of how encouraging everyone on the team is. Before you clean up the interior of your castle you must make sure there is no friendly fire inside. The importance of having a positive and supportive environment cannot be overstated. Especially at a young age when the approval of teammates can be more influential than coaches. This is why Harrison and I work so hard to make the environment of training the most encouraging and empowering place players have ever been. There is wrong, but not a condemned wrong. Only the reality that we recognize, but do not validate as being permanent. We are coaches - our job is to shine light and begin writing new futures for the players. Possibilities are limitless when a player is filled with the confidence to go for it.
To keep this brief, Harrison and I go by the formula “Self-confidence = Self-Trust.” If I believe I am the best on the field, do I go out and train to be the best? Sometimes I have to be honest and humbly answer no. Because, if my confidence for an upcoming test is rooted in preparation, is it a fake facade?
We are proud of our system for building self-confidence and look forward to inviting players to begin their journey with the tools and experiences we provide.
My immediate encouragement is to focus on the environment - then look at the person in the mirror and make sure thoughts, beliefs, and conduct all align. Who do I say I am? And do my actions pay for who I want to be?
Lastly, similar to training - self-forgiveness is so important when building the personal credit piggy bank. One shot does not define you as a shooter, and on the journey one day of weakened discipline does not determine the level you’ve ascended to.
It is one day at a time. Not linear, but incremental. What matters is you don’t quit. A fully alive player is within every kid. Watch with joy as it begins to be revealed.
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