Winning

Before we get too far, let's clarify the word 'winning'.  People get kind of funny around this word.  Some people think that if someone is out to win, then they might do anything to win - end justifies the means.  They may picture the coach, blue in the face, screaming at the little #@$*&!'s to run harder.  Maybe they picture dirty tactics on the field.  There are times when I say that the goal of my team is to win, I can see the other person bristle, like winning is a bad thing.

Let me be clear: winning is a good thing.  There is not a problem with winning.

When I talk about winning, I'm talking about out scoring the other team in a professional, intense, moral manner, with grace.  The Christian world view is very important here. 

So what does winning mean?  It means:

We train with excellence: training will cover all aspects of the game and players execution of a drill should be performed with precision.

We challenge the player at their level: different players come into the season with different skill levels.  The player coming into the program for the first time will be at a very different level from the player that's been on the team for years.  We can't expect the new player to perform at the same level as the more experienced player.  So we challenge accordingly.

We train and play with intensity: the training and game are taken seriously.  We have fun, we laugh, but we're intense.  Intensity means being focused, purposeful, and working hard.  Time to rest later.

We train and play to win next year: a program can get too focused on 'this year' and forgets that the goal is to win next year too.

We play fairly and with respect: the player is expected to abide by the rules of the game.  They are expected to respect their teammates, referee, and the opponent.  Players can develop friendship with other teams AND be able to play a hard physical game with them.

We win or lose with grace: when a team wins, they don't hold it over the other teams head, they don't gloat, they don't over celebrate.

We love the game: anything we love, we take care of, protect, and enjoy. 

What we're trying to create is character that values hard work and excellence.  When I meet the player when he or she is in their 30's, will it be the kind of person I want working for me?  And isn't this what the bible speaks of?  "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize?"  1 Cor 9:24  Paul speaks here and elsewhere about the need to challenge ourselves, discipline ourselves, and one way to model this for a teenage boy is through sports.

Bottom line: Winning is okay and doesn't need to be justified so long as its played with integrity.