How to motivate when you are undefeated

lothaar
Freshmen Member

Posts: 45

How to motivate when you are undefeated Sept 15, 2006 2:46:08 GMT -6

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Post by lothaar on Sept 15, 2006 2:46:08 GMT -6

I read the thread on motivating winless teams and thought this deserved its own thread.

I play in an amateur league in Europe. Our team has gone pretty much undefeated for two seasons and has won the championship the last four times in a row (and five of the last six). We've retained a lot of players through that run, and most will be returning next season.

I know it doesn't sound like a bad situation to be in, but we have trouble getting the guys fired up before games. Complacency seeps in. Training sessions lack intensity because there's a feeling that it doesn't matter... we'll win anyway!

I'm worried that this will ultimately be our downfall. We nearly lost a couple of big games when we took our foot off the gas and let the other team back in the game. Suddenly they were fired up and we couldn't bring anything extra to the table. We blew an 18-point lead in a Bowl game, but thankfully came back to win it in the last minute.

The problem is, the players think they're invincible.

How do you keep the intensity up when you keep winning?

Last Edit: Sept 15, 2006 2:46:43 GMT -6 by lothaar

coachcalande
Guest

How to motivate when you are undefeated Sept 15, 2006 6:34:26 GMT -6

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Post by coachcalande on Sept 15, 2006 6:34:26 GMT -6

my personal view is that being "fired up" is all relative. i am "fired up" before every game but im very quiet. most of my kids reflect that. i have been questioned by other coaches "how come your kids arent celebrating scores?" ...simple, because im not, im calling the two point conversion play and my kids are already with me on that. its all business and the celebrating and smiling and all that happens after the game. score enough, swarm enough on defense and you dont need all that hocus pocus...just my opinion here. i think many teams that put on a display of emotion are wasting energy.

mitch
Full Member

Posts: 870

How to motivate when you are undefeated Sept 15, 2006 8:13:01 GMT -6

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Post by mitch on Sept 15, 2006 8:13:01 GMT -6

Pump lasts about a series, then true character starts to show.

We are in the same kind of situation, lothaar. Undefeated, #4 in the state , and we don't have a tough game on the schedule for 3 more weeks. We try to focus on getting ourselves better other than worrying about the other team. We stress that we aren't practicing to beat this weeks opponent, we are practicing to hold up the gold ball at the end. That being said, we understand every week isn't going to be the most intense, wild-eyed, focused-in week of practice depending on who we play, but when we get to an opponent worth their salt, we turn up the heat on them considerably.

I sure would like to hear some other opinions on this, always worried in the back of my mind we won't be ready if someone puts up a superhuman effort when we aren't expecting it.

"The same things win that have always won, we just make up a bunch of different excuses when we lose." Bear Bryant

paydirt18 Sophomore Member Posts: 184	How to motivate when you are undefeated Sept 16, 2006 21:41:23 GMT -6 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by paydirt18 on Sept 16, 2006 21:41:23 GMT -6 CoachC brings up a very good point. It is relative, however I have fallen victim to this. As a coach, I like this approach and I am trying to improve on this weekly.

newhc
Sophomore Member

Posts: 209

How to motivate when you are undefeated Sept 17, 2006 20:59:43 GMT -6

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Post by newhc on Sept 17, 2006 20:59:43 GMT -6

Hey Coaches, I have a different problem... I am new HC, and we are 2-0 but our schedule gets progresssively harder. This week I really want to get my kids pumped up and ready to play .. last week we came out flat .. and we can't afford to do that again. I feel like every week is a big week.. So I ask what are some of the mind games, and extreme forms of motivation (not just speeches) that you guys have used. Anybody got any good ideas that use props .. Anything?

I have planned on sending me a Wreath in our School Colors that says RIP 36 - 0 and the Game Date .. and our Opponents name.

Last Edit: Sept 17, 2006 21:25:41 GMT -6 by newhc

"The Law of Legacy. Eventually, someone else will do what you’re doing right now. More than building other leaders, more than being a mentor, you have to build the leader that can take care of and do everything you can do. Start building a leader you can pass the baton to. " Taken from John Maxwell's book "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership"

suedeknight
Freshmen Member

Posts: 29

How to motivate when you are undefeated Sept 18, 2006 14:52:27 GMT -6

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Post by suedeknight on Sept 18, 2006 14:52:27 GMT -6

Strikes me lothaar that you might want to remind them that they are NOT invincible, but the coach is. So if the players keep thinking they're invincible, sprint the holy mother out of them. Remind them that no matter how good things seem, they can go bad in a hurry. Charity is for Christmastime, not for football.
Just my two cents. Unfortunately I can't say my HS team has had your problem

www.TitletownSoundOff.com

How to motivate when you are undefeated

Post by lothaar on Sept 15, 2006 2:46:08 GMT -6

Post by coachcalande on Sept 15, 2006 6:34:26 GMT -6

Post by mitch on Sept 15, 2006 8:13:01 GMT -6

Post by paydirt18 on Sept 16, 2006 21:41:23 GMT -6

Post by newhc on Sept 17, 2006 20:59:43 GMT -6

Post by suedeknight on Sept 18, 2006 14:52:27 GMT -6