by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Football Coach
Follow @WestTXCoach
Today was another day loaded with coaches being in professional development. I was also inundated with meetings, taking up almost five hours of my day. It wasn’t until about 1:30 when I finally got into my office and worked on football specific items.
The last week and a half of camp is tough. Professional development schedules change and we are constantly altering practice times on a daily basis. I can’t wait for next week because school begins and we will be on a regular schedule the rest of the year. It really helps for us to be in a routine.
When we are altering schedules it means we are asking the kids to come in at different times throughout the week. It can be a pain, but they have really responded and have been there on time every day.
Despite all the changes and altered schedules, the kids have put together a solid week of practice. They have been extremely consistent. This may be the most consistent team I have ever had. They are adapting change and not letting it interfere with their practice approach. It has been very refreshing to see.
Tomorrow we practice at 8:00am. We are just going for an hour. A run through for our Plainview scrimmage on Friday. So at this point, it’s all about keeping us fresh heading into our final scrimmage.
So far, so good. The staff needs some normalcy. So do it. Almost done with the gauntlet.
Commitment
This is a word that doesn’t carry as much weight as is used to.
This word used to be synonymous with the concept of team, unity, sacrifice etc. It represented all that was good with the world of sports and life.
Now, I’m left wondering where it has gone.
I missed a grand total of one game, due to injury, in my entire life. That is football, baseball and wrestling, all combined throughout my life. We just didn’t miss anything when it came to athletics. My parents held me accountable to my team. They wouldn’t let me miss anything. Furthermore, I was never going to miss anything, because I didn’t want to lose my starting spot. I skipped numerous family vacations to ensure I never missed a game or practice.
Sometimes, I just wonder where that word commitment has gone? It seems to be inconsistent in today’s world. It’s frustrating to see, not just in athletics, but in life. Look, you make a commitment to people and you are expected to follow through on your end. That is why it is called commitment.
I don’t know when we lost the sense of this word, but I hope it comes back sooner rather than later.
Mental Health Tip
Always, and I mean always, let the naysayers be naysayers. So don’t buy into their negativity, as it will only weigh you down. Do not waste positive energy on these people. Focus on you, your team, your coaches and your family. That’s who matters. At the end of the day all naysayers have is negativity running through their veins. Let them be negative while you lead an inspiring, energetic life and program.
That’s all I have to say on that.
Randomness
-People irritate me.
-Don’t waste time. That is a waste of time.
–Ben Peck from Fox 34 stopped out to see us today. Always good to see Ben!
-Yankees got throttled again today. But Gary Sanchez is a player!
–Neal Tull looks funny in a staff picture. It will make its rounds.
–David Moody has the energy of 20 year old out on the field. Awesome to see.
-Olympic wrestling is under televised and under appreciated.
-Jeff Fisher changed the landscape of high school football back in the early 90’s. It’s my mission to make sure people know this!
-Cubs will win the World Series.
-Yogi is snoring on my feet as I write this.
Ok. See you tomorrow.
FIO.
