Been there...Done that...

The team I help coach is stuck in a 7 game losing streak...Does it suck? Short answer, yes.  Have I been here before?  Short answer, yes.

My Sophomore year in High School, I was good enough to start on Varsity.  I played both ways, and we were not the best team in South Jersey.

In fact, we went 1-8.  The only team we beat was worse than us, but we beat them.  It was a 14-7 score too.

I remember it because I NEVER felt so happy I. My life to get a win...EVER.  But for some reason, there was a side to me that felt for Haddon TWP. because I KNEW how bad they were.

The funny thing is, even with that "win", I knew we deserved more.  We were better than out record indicated.  We practiced hard and needed to stay the course.

I knew deep down in my soul that there were better times ahead.  I didn't know when and exactly if they would ever appear, but I KNEW they would...

Guess what?  They did.

Moral of the story.  Work hard, have faith in yourself and your teammates, and good things will possibly happen.

What the mind perceives, it believes.  That is all...carryon.  

Who do you believe in...?

We're told by most coaches that, sports are metaphors for life.  Every lesson you learn in sports can be translated into the adult world. 

I believe this to be true, but my issue is why then are parents encouraging their kids to aspire to be someone else?

When we see someone imitating another individual, our comments tend to be anything less than reassuring. 

If this is the case, why would you encourage your kids to look up to someone else when they can be taught at an early age (and its a great life lesson) that eventually, at some point, they will only have themselves to lean on.

Any sport I played, I KNEW that my favorite player wasn't able to help me...at all!  In all honesty my favorite player could have been a dirtbag.

Stop enabling your athlete and start building them up to be self reliant and efficient...

Seriously, think about that.

H.E.A.R.T Athletics Helmet Hoody

The H.E.A.R.T Athletics Helmet Hoody is finally here. Here are a few facts about it.

1. There is NOTHING like it

2. You can support your team and not feel awkward by still wearing your Letterman Jacket

3. Letterman jackets are corny

4. You look like you're wearing an actual helmet

5. It'll keep your face warm

6. 15% of EVERY sale is donated to YOUR team.

Your Greatest Opponent

Who is your greatest opponent? Honestly there are probably dozens of answers. Maybe even hundreds if you add in haters.  But in reality, you truly only have ONE opponent...

Your greatest opponent is and will always be yourself.  No matter how skilled or trained an opponent is, THEY can NEVER make you quit.  Ever.  Only you can green light that decision.

Dell Bates III, Nevada Dream Cornerback

This is what prompted H.E.A.R.T Athletics to design this shirt.  It's of one of my defensive backs (Dell Bates III, seen above).  It shows him playing himself.  Although in a game he can't play against himself physically, he can beat himself MENTALLY.  

You have to win the mental battle before you can ever hope to win the physical one.  I hope you guys enjoy the design.

I'm proud of my guys

This weekend (4MAY13) the Nevada Dream traveled over 4 hours in 3 vans to play the first place Pacifica Islanders.

We (the Dream) didn't have a full roster due to some players not practicing (so they don't play), we went to battle with the ballers we did have.

Well, in the first quarter we gave up 21 points which is extremely uncharacteristic of us, we didn't give up.

We went into the half down by 28. But my guys could have cared less (about the score that is).

Our Offense and Defense came out in the second half with a lit fire (we should have come OUT like this, but that's on us Coaches). This passion they played with allowed us to shutout the Islanders and win the second half 7-0.

But...a game is composed of 2 halves, not 1. While I'm proud of my guys for playing their HEARTS out the entire game, we have to play OUR game for the entire 60 minutes.

Moral of this story:
1. Play your game for the entire game
2. Never quit

Nike to Rapist: Here's more $

Let me ask you a few questions, and answer them honestly.

Would you like an "alleged" rapist dating your daughter?

Would you like your impressionable son to look up to the same person just because he played football?

When there is smoke, is there usually fire?

Would you trust this same person with your sister?

Well Nike believes (or had made you to) that he's an "alright" guy. No...he isn't. He's actually a turd. And nobody keeps him or Nike accountable for his actions.

Don't let ANY company force feed a turd down you throat just because he wins games.

Winning is awesome, but when the game is over all you have left is you...and your character.

Nna, Nnam, Nnam, Not gonna play here anymore Asomugha

I hate a lot of things, I do. I've been described as "angry" by several people. I can see that. Be because it's the "little" things that we can control (which we should) but usually don't.

For instance, attitude. Simple isn't it? Control your attitude, control effort, tada...you're in control of yourself...

Enter Nnamdi Asomugha (thank the Lord it's now "Exit"). This guy signs for a ton of scratch ($) and plays like a dead dog. And does absolutely NOTHING over 32 games to set his ship right. He can't cover, he's slow, he's overrated and can't tackle.

Don't believe me...look for yourself.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Don't Play

1. You don't want it
2. You don't put in "enough" work
3. You talk too much
4. You don't believe in yourself
5. Your content where you're at

If you wanted it, you'd take it.

How much is enough? Only YOU can a answer that.

Shut up and play.

If you don't believe in yourself, why would your Coach?

Misery loves company. The bench is FULL of miserable people.

Scientist have found the gates of Hell...

Apparently, this link will take you to the article ---> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2302755/Gate-Hell-Turkey-Hierapolis-temple-doorway-matches-mythical-portal-underworld.html



I can't help but call BS on this. I've been through the gates of hell and came out smelling like roses.

Actually, many of us have been through those gates and it looked NOTHING like the article's picture...

It actually looks like this

Malone vs. Smith One-on-One



Nevada Dream DB's

Alright guys, here are the 1-on-1's that I shot from practice.  Couple of things:
1. Remember your positioning (6-7 yards deep, 1-1.5 yards inside)
2. Take your 2 Read Steps (with your eyes on the QB)
3. Maintain your weave technique to maintain inside position
4. When you turn your hips to run, to towards your man. You'll lose sight of him if you don't.


I only broke down one play this evening, but it will give DB's and WR's a chance to not only see themselves, but how the defense/offense is playing them and see what us Coaches see.

I'll break down more film as the week passes.



Click the link to watch --->  Malone vs. Smith (17FEB13)

How much do you need...?

What is H.E.A.R.T? I define it as Having Enough Attitude Resilience & Toughness. Seems pretty straight forward. But the most important part of this definition is the "Enough" part.

What's enough for me may not be enough for you and vice versa. We all need to evaluate ourselves correctly and realize just what is enough for us.

Don't worry about anyone else, worry about you. Get through your day, game, practice, work schedule, homework, etc.

Be the best you can be. You do this by continuously moving forward and playing with H.E.A.R.T!