Blame It on Your Thoughts

2023 Rugby Season Flashback: We had a player who was super fast. He was new to rugby but talented enough to be 1 of our starting 15 players.

He had one huge problem though. He kept dropping the ball. For weeks, for months actually, I personally worked with him to improve his ability to catch.

We worked on:

1. Keeping his eyes on the ball during the entire catching process.
2. Extending his arms, hands and fingers to receive the ball.
3. Using both hands to catch the ball whenever possible.
4. Keeping the ball off or away from the chest when receiving it.
5. Not expecting the ball to go straight to his hands. Being alert and flexible enough to adjust.
6. Being prepared to receive a pass at any time.?

We worked on this for countless practices. Still, he couldn't seem to consistently caught the ball.

One Sunday, before a match midway through the season, he walked up to me and said...

Player: Coach Hawk, I love your ride, what do you do?

Me: Everything I put my mind to!

He looked at me with a slight smile and a bit of confusion at the same time. Like he wasn't sure if I were serious or joking. Since, I was both serious and joking, I let the moment stick for a bit.

It got a little awkwardly silent.

His smile went away.

Now, he looked completely confused.

Then, I smiled and said...?

Me: And, you can too. Now, stop dropping all those damn balls!

Player: Yes coach!

He jogged off. The match started.

He didn't drop a single ball that entire match. Hecdidn't drop another ball the rest of the season.

We're state CHAMPS!

... ... We all can do almost everything we put our minds to.?

Change your mindset. Change your life!