Being Great! and ACL prevention…

I had a discussion with my wife earlier this morning about becoming better everyday.  In our house, we take for granted that every single day you are going to work toward becoming better at your craft.  However, for most people, being average is good enough.  Let me clarify this by saying that we were discussing an interaction with a college student who is working towards getting a degree in physical therapy.  This student had previously completed a paper or report on ACL tears.  The student then said that they thought this was great because a year ago they did a whole project on ACL prevention and they wouldn’t have to do any research or anything because they already knew everything about it. 

WHAT?! Seriously….I’m sure there have been a few more studies published since the last 365 days passed, not to mention the people who have practiced hands-on for the last 365 days either trying to prevent or rehab ACL issues.  The scary thing to me is that most people are ok with being as good as they are on this current day…no one wants to put in the time and effort to get better. 

Every single day I am looking for new and better information to challenge what I do with my athletes and how I train them.  If I find there is a better way to do something, I swallow my pride and switch it up to try it out.  That’s not to say I abandon my programming.  Typically there must be substantial reasoning between the combination of research and practical application for me to even try something.  If, however, it looks promising, try it!  If it doesn’t work, go back to your old method(s).

Moral of my story: Don’t be satisfied with where you are.  Always look to find a way to get just a little bit better.

For a sample program on ACL prevention that can easily be incorporated into practices or training sessions, please visit www.finer-points.com and download the Plyo’s 101 pdf.  It’s a great starting point for coaches, parents, and athletes.

Motivation

I like quotes.  I am one of many coaches and trainers who believes that sometimes you need a little bit of inspirtation and belief that there is room for you to grow as a person and as an athlete.  I have a daily calendar on the desk in my office which has inspirational quotes on it.  While I don’t claim have invented any of them, I feel it is my duty to pass along some of them when the time seems right.

“Failure is feedback.”  Billie Jean King

 

Just remember there are lots of times that things don’t go as we expect.  However, like my dad always said, things tend to work out like they’re supposed to.  Up to this point in my life, he hasn’t been wrong yet!