This late morning I’m watching a team practice their sport. The athletes are learning to close out defensively with intensity. It’s warm, the room is bright, heavy plates line the side of the court just waiting for someone to go soft and earn a trip carrying one overhead. There is a lot of perspiration and the only voices are from two coaches barking out orders with an edge. This team is developing their identity and something tells me that a big part of it is defensive intensity. The leaders are modeling the way. Athletes are agitated.
If you want your team to play with an edge, leader, you better bring your edge with consistent energy. Your team can do more than they think, leader. Model the intensity you want. A performance edge does not require anger but it does take energy – your energy, leader. What is your team catching from your energy and edge, leader?
Good…