Do You REALLY Have What It Takes? (Apology)

It appears that some clarification is in order.  Over the past week since we uploaded the “Do You REALLY Have What It Takes?” video to our Facebook page, we have received some mixed reviews.

The video features some harsh words and criticism from me, Coach Rick, regarding the off-season.  And it seems that although it was very well received by some, it was not received well by some others.  I expected this, and respect everyone’s opinions.

This video is NOT meant for everyone.  Motivation is similar to the learning process, meaning, what works to motivate some, may not work to motivate others.  This is why Goalie Army Academy does not approach our students with “cookie-cutter” motivational or technical coaching.  Instead, we get to know our students, their goals, and what motivates each individual within our program to aid in their individual development.

I feel as though an apology is indeed in order for how the content was delivered.  The intention of this video was NOT to keep kids away from their families all summer long or force them to train until exhaustion resulting in injury.  That idea is absurd.

Instead, the video was made to get athletes thinking about how they manage their time during the off-season, to make better decisions at meal times and snack times, and to create a realistic understanding of the connection between off-season effort and their performance at evaluation time.

Athletes require breaks from their physically and mentally demanding sports to heal injuries, to remain sane, and to remain passionate about their sport.  Breaks from their sports also support their personal and social development, while promoting the importance of time with family.  This is why there’s been so may articles published on the topic of removing one’s self from playing hockey all summer long.  I agree with these theories and realize the importance of going away for a weekend with family, or on week-long vacations.  The issues that many face in the off-season however, is the inability to regain a handle on off-season training after a weekend or a week away from training.  This is where self-discipline comes in.

Based on a lot of the positive feedback we’ve received about this video, it appears as though many of our subscribers understand this as what we were going for.

On the other hand, I have received some not-so-positive feedback as well.  Over the past couple of days, I’ve been told I’m wrong about the video’s message, called arrogant and pompous, as well as been told that their child would never train with us.  And that’s okay with me.  As I stated above, I didn’t make this video for everyone, and I realised when I posted this video that it would put some people off and result in them forming their opinions of me without having ever met me, getting to know me or what I am truly about.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I understand that not everyone has the same goals in hockey.  I would never expect anyone to.

By posting this video, my intention was to get a response from one kid who will make better choices through remaining active and eating right in the off-season.  By supporting them with making choices which support what they are saying that they want to accomplish next season, I am looking to help them to put down their XBOX controller and remain active this summer.

Although it’s still early in the summer, based on many of the positive comments and feedback which I’ve received so far, I’ve already accomplished this.

Sincerely,

Coach Rick