This week in football: Encouraging
Def. (1) giving someone support or confidence; supportive (2) positive and giving hope for future success; promising
See also: uplift, inspire, motivate, stimulate, invigorate, vitalize
Every team needs at least one great encourager. In the best teams it becomes a part of the culture. To be a true encourager requires selflessness. Focusing on others and pushing them to succeed often means we must not be only looking at our own goals.
Part of encouraging is also to tell people what they may not want to hear, but let them know you are there to support them as they try again. On all teams there will come a time when everything seems to go wrong. This is the moment when a true encourager steps up. Motivating others to strive for the common goal is needed in all walks of life, and that applies to football as well.
There is an old saying in sports, “People won’t remember what you say, they remember how you made them feel.” How do you make your teammates feel? Are they inspired by your words and deeds? Are they motivated to give a little more?
At this point in the season, many of us are banged up, battered, and bruised; it makes it difficult to see beyond the horizon of our own aches and pains at times. The reality is that most teams are too. What makes the difference between a short season and a long playoff run has little to do with the Xs and Os and has more to do with how we are spurring one another on; to keep doing our jobs with excellence every single day. A team that is encouraging one another is committed to one another and it shows up in practice in what we do and say.
So, here we are. 5-1. Just past the halfway mark of the season. For the underclassmen, the biggest encouragement you can bring is to try and understand the urgency of the seniors and to try and match their effort and energy.
Encouragement is a reflection of leadership. Let the voice that guides you be, “We are far from done!”
Encourage us well, Seniors. Lead us well.
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Mon, Sept 26
345p-530p: Practice at Hidden Valley MS
Helmets Only
Varsity: Black Shorts, white CAHS branded shirt; preferably football
JV: Black Shorts, black CAHS branded shirt; preferably football
Tues, Sept 27
345p-530p: Practice at Hidden Valley MS
“Shells”
Varsity: Black shorts, white CAHS branded shirt; preferably football
JV: Black Shorts, black CAHS branded shirt; preferably football
Weds, Sept 28
345p-530p: Practice at Hidden Valley MS
“Shells”
Varsity: Black shorts, white CAHS branded shirt; preferably football
JV: Black Shorts, black CAHS branded shirt; preferably football
Thurs, Sept 29
345p-530p: Practice at Hidden Valley MS
“Shells”
Varsity: Black shorts, white CAHS branded shirt; preferably football
JV: Black Shorts, black CAHS branded shirt; preferably football
Fri, Sept 23
No Practice
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Sept 30: Bye Week
Oct 7: JV & Varsity @ Hoover
Oct 14: Varsity vs Francis Parker (Homecoming)
Oct 21: JV & Varsity @ Mt. Empire
Oct 28: JV & Varsity vs Escondido Charter (Senior Night)
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