COACHES' CORNER


In life, like sports, the line between success and failure is remarkably thin. People always seem to be able to
say that when they fail, they were so close and would have been successful if it weren’t for a little bit of
only…” or “I would have done it if…” Failure, to be sure, is part of life and frankly can be an important
learning tool.  Failure is not something to be feared because if analyzed properly can be the only way we
grow.  However, if one fails because of lack of effort or focus, the lesson can be a very painful one to be
sure.

We live in a very competitive world.  To be great in today’s world requires 100% effort and focus.  I believe
this is true in any endeavor.  A 95% effort will leave you back in the pack with those that only gave 50% or
less.  Ninety five percent will leave you in the pack of people who will be saying “If only…” or “I would have
done it if…” These statements are small consolation if you know in your heart that the next 5% would have
meant that you achieved your goal.  

I have always been proud of the effort exerted by the players in our program.  I think that we have hard
working and dedicated kids. With this effort we have been rewarded.  This year you will come to practice,
work hard, stay in shape, and be 95% focused on the practice field and on game day.  I have no doubt about
that.

I can assure you however, that just being 95% focused on the field leaves a lot of time off the field were you
will need to make choices on your own.  You will have plenty of time individually and as a team to decide if
we will be successful.  It is in that time; outside of Cherry Creek Lacrosse that you will need to make that 5%
commitment that will determine whether or not we will again be champions. One of the commitments I am
speaking of is the off the field choice you will face with drug and alcohol use.

I was fortunate to attend the College Coaches Convention in Baltimore at the beginning of December and
one of the speakers addressed the subject of drug and alcohol use by athletes.  He had some very
interesting and alarming things to say about what happens to the minds and bodies of athletes under the
influence of just the smallest amount of alcohol or drugs.

For example, 3-4 drinks on a Friday night will reduce your reaction time by 5%-7% for four days.  That means
that your performance will be affected until Wednesday of the next week.  Also, the effects of any training
that you do during that time will be completely mitigated.  Meaning that, if we run sprints on Saturday and
Monday of the next week, you will not see the benefits of that training and your work will be for nothing.

Using marijuana has extremely detrimental effects as well.  Smoking pot will mean that you won’t sleep
correctly, and any concepts that we learn will be lost.  The modern game of lacrosse has some very complex
strategies that need to be applied and if you are a marijuana user you will not be able to apply those
concepts in the heat of the battle. I urge you to understand that success feels better than any high that
comes with drinking or drugs.  You will never remember your partying, but you will remember being
champions for the rest of your lives.  The sacrifice is worth it!

2006 promises to be the most competitive year in the history of Colorado High School Lacrosse.  There are
several teams that have the talent to win the championship.  The team that holds up the trophy on May
20th will be the team that had the character, courage and strength to sacrifice the important for the
unimportant.  The team that gave the extra 5% will be champions, because success lies in the margins.   
As a coach, I have found that success
lies in the margins.  Every year, in every
sport there are several teams that have
a chance to win the championship.  Only
one does.  Sometimes there are injuries
or other mishaps that keeps a team from
reaching it goals.  Luck can certainly play
a part.  Most of the time though it is the
effort that one team exerts that will be
the difference between success and
failure.  One team will give 100% and the
others will give 95%. The team that gives
100% will come out on top.  That is the
bottom line.

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