Prepare to Go Back to Zero
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With more people becoming vaccinated against COVID-19, more states are relaxing quarantine rules, allowing schools and clubs to prepare for a return to summer and fall sports that were missed last year. As we head into summer and begin to prepare for the 2021-2022 school year, coaches, athletes, and parents alike need to become familiar with the “Going Back to Zero” rule. This term was first coined by futurist Joel Barker. Barker says that any time a major paradigm shifts, everyone goes back to zero and must essentially start over. It’s another way of saying “what got you there won’t necessarily keep you there." There certainly have been multiple paradigm shifts resulting from COVID-19.
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College and professional sports have provided plenty of examples. Last Fall, numerous colleges and universities scrambled to put together schedules and then reschedule games last-minute due to COVID-19 protocols and positive tests. In March, several postseason college basketball games were canceled or declared "No Contest", including a VCU v. Oregon Men's NCAA Tournament game. Six officials selected for the tournament became unavailable due to positive tests. More recently, Harold Castro, a journeyman baseball player who struggled to make the team during Spring Training ended up pitching an inning in relief for the Detroit Tigers due to a shortage of available relievers. It was his 8th (!!) different position played in his career. In the coming sports season, a “key player” may be redefined on a given gameday as anyone who tests negative for COVID-19.
Incidents such as these and others we have yet to anticipate are likely to continue for at least another year according to experts in sports and community health. We cannot just assume that things will return to “normal” again when play resumes. Athletes, coaches, and parents will need to hone their skills of being flexible/adapting to change, practice a growth mindset, recover from disappointment, stay motivated in uncertain times and above-all, have patience.
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Using the analogy of a bullseye (target), we must remind ourselves to focus our efforts and energy on things over which we have some control, and secondarily over things over which we have some influence. Too often in times of change and challenge, we allow ourselves to get stuck in the rut of complaining about those things over which we have no control or influence.
As the gates of playing fields and doors of gymnasiums re-open around the globe, keep in mind that “the only thing constant is change.” Take things in stride, give it your best effort, and above all, focus on having fun playing and watching the sports you so love.
Coaches: We have attached a resource list of reflection and team building activities of various lengths of time from mere minute to hours to conduct, to give you some new tools to help your players reconnect with one another. You can access that list by clicking here.
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This lesson was written by Bill Matthews. If you have an idea for content that would benefit coaches, parents or athletes in a future note, email us at [email protected].
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Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
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Summer Break: Notes Return in Late August
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Play Like a Champion's Weekly Champion Notes will take their annual summer vacation in June and July. Don't forget to join us for this year's Virtual Sports Leadership Conference (below) and Notes will return in late August as the new school year begins!
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"Dream Big. Take Action" at this Year's Virtual Leadership Conference!
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Registration is open for the 2021 Play Like a Champion Today Sports Leadership Conference! This year's event will once again be virtual so that as many partners as possible can attend. While we will miss seeing everyone in-person, the virtual format provides an exciting opportunity for our entire national community to engage with fellow athletic leaders, learn from a fantastic group of speakers, and be inspired. Featured speakers include NFL legend Mike Singletary, Dr. Lisa Merritt and Dr. Amanda Zelechoski.
This year's theme is Dream Big. Take Action. Registration is free and is open online. Click the link below to learn more about the event and register today. We look forward to seeing you on June 23rd & 24th!
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An Athlete's Prayer of Thanksgiving
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Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of sport.
Thank you in particular for (list the sports I play),
for the great joy these games have brought me and continue to bring. Thank you for the skills I have learned, and the character I have developed through participating. Thank you for the coaches who have believed in me, and worked with me to teach me and help me to grow. Thank you for the teammates who have been with me, through the ups and downs of practices and games, through triumph and defeat.
Thank you for the ways in which they have helped me to grow, the fun we've had and the team we've created. Thank you for the practices that have formed me, The games that have tested me, and the moments that will stay with me forever. Amen.
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Play Like a Champion's "Daily Prayers for Champions" page has been updated! Visit www.playlikeachampion.org/daily-prayers for more than 200 prayers plus resources that can help you and your team grow closer to God while participating in sports.
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Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series
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