LSU vs. Alabama is always a classic battle in college football. The teams have much in common. They
are both from the SEC. They have both won national championships in recent
years. Finally, they both won national championships under Nick Saban (with LSU
winning another under Les Miles).
Coach Saban wrote a great book entitled, How Good Do You Want to Be? The book was interesting for multiple reasons. First, Alabama just won a national championship, and therefore the team and its coach were news.
Secondly, even though the cover pictured Saban dressed in Alabama crimson, the book was clearly written just after his LSU team won the 2003 BCS National Championship. How does what Coach Saban wrote seven years and two coaching stints ago relate to the present Alabama team? How does this book relate to a blog about Harney County teachers?
Chapter 2, entitled "The Competitive Spirit," opens with the subheading "Don't look at the scoreboard." Saban argues that the focus should be on the process not the product. If the process is solid, the product takes care of itself. That thinking is very much in line with what the coach has been saying each season since arriving at Alabama. In the book, Saban goes on to say, "It is natural to be affected by where you are in life, but looking at the score and results can only take you away from your competitive spirit. Not only should you not concern yourself with the score, you should also avoid setting the bar or establishing benchmarks for success" (p. 58).
This year as in many other years, much talk centered around a possible national title run for Alabama. In the book, Saban says, "One of the hardest things to do in sports is to repeat as a champion. It is exceedingly rare in college or pro sports these days. Part of the reason is parity, but part of it is champions lose focus because of the distractions that success brings. The championship becomes the focus--not what it takes to be a champion" (pp. 68-69). Furthermore, he says, "We don't talk about repeating as national champions and we don't spend time thinking about the targets that are on our backs" (pp.71-72).
As a teacher, principal and now director, I am particularly interested in the three-page subheading in the "Being a Great Leader" chapter entitled "Organization." Saban says, "And to be the most effective leader, you have to be organized." Saban offers these examples of what he does to stay organized (pp.129-130):
Coach Saban wrote a great book entitled, How Good Do You Want to Be? The book was interesting for multiple reasons. First, Alabama just won a national championship, and therefore the team and its coach were news.
Secondly, even though the cover pictured Saban dressed in Alabama crimson, the book was clearly written just after his LSU team won the 2003 BCS National Championship. How does what Coach Saban wrote seven years and two coaching stints ago relate to the present Alabama team? How does this book relate to a blog about Harney County teachers?
Chapter 2, entitled "The Competitive Spirit," opens with the subheading "Don't look at the scoreboard." Saban argues that the focus should be on the process not the product. If the process is solid, the product takes care of itself. That thinking is very much in line with what the coach has been saying each season since arriving at Alabama. In the book, Saban goes on to say, "It is natural to be affected by where you are in life, but looking at the score and results can only take you away from your competitive spirit. Not only should you not concern yourself with the score, you should also avoid setting the bar or establishing benchmarks for success" (p. 58).
This year as in many other years, much talk centered around a possible national title run for Alabama. In the book, Saban says, "One of the hardest things to do in sports is to repeat as a champion. It is exceedingly rare in college or pro sports these days. Part of the reason is parity, but part of it is champions lose focus because of the distractions that success brings. The championship becomes the focus--not what it takes to be a champion" (pp. 68-69). Furthermore, he says, "We don't talk about repeating as national champions and we don't spend time thinking about the targets that are on our backs" (pp.71-72).
As a teacher, principal and now director, I am particularly interested in the three-page subheading in the "Being a Great Leader" chapter entitled "Organization." Saban says, "And to be the most effective leader, you have to be organized." Saban offers these examples of what he does to stay organized (pp.129-130):
- Every practice plan and set of
game notes, going back as far as I can remember, I organize into huge
binders that I can refer to when I need to.
- I keep a pen and paper with me
at all times during practice to quickly write down items we need to
correct.
- Our pregame routine is
organized down to the minute, and areas of the field are assigned for
position groups. For example, no matter where we are playing, the running
backs are always warming up at the 20-yard line opposite our bench.
- I prepare an agenda and a list
of items to cover the day before all daily staff meetings so nothing is
left out.
Saban goes on to say, "Organization is
critical to efficiency. If I have a pet peeve (and I have a few), it's wasted
time..." (p. 130)
How Good Do You Want to Be? is a good read whether you are pulling for the team Saban coaches now or for the team he coached when he wrote the book. It might not only give you a better insight into the game, but also how you can come closer to achieving your own goals.
How Good Do You Want to Be? is a good read whether you are pulling for the team Saban coaches now or for the team he coached when he wrote the book. It might not only give you a better insight into the game, but also how you can come closer to achieving your own goals.
Modified post from Frank Buck Organization Blog--Thanks Mr. Buck!
Articles you may enjoy:
Videos to Check out:
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/transition-to-ngss-achieve?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digestCalendar of Events:
SBAC/OAKS online practice tests available--Oct 20
K Assessment testing window closes--Oct 22
Number Sense Training Opportunity--Oct 23-24 @ Harney ESD
K Assessment collection window closes--Oct 30
DTC Training online from ODE--Nov 3-5K Assessment collection window closes--Oct 30
Teach Like a Pirate--Nov 13
E-RATE TRAINING @ Harney ESD--Nov 20 9AM-4pm
Writing Scoring--Dec 11
Deadline to distribute Report Cards to Parents--Jan 15
No comments:
Post a Comment