The Coaches' Journal

Nick Saban on mindset:

5 Hard Truths for Teams: 1. No one is above the team. 2. Talent alone is not enough. 3. Culture is what you tolerate. 4. Respect is a two-way street. 5. Adversity is a great teacher.

What separates an average player from a great player is their ability to bounce back. It's not easy, but you have to be able to focus forward, move on and tough it out. — Bruce Bochy

Dear Athletes, Soon the lights will be shining. Soon the band will be playing. Soon the crowd will be cheering. Soon the popcorn will be popping. Soon the adrenaline will be pumping. But remember, the lights only reveal your hard work in the dark. Sincerely, Be Ready

Stronger athletes make better athletes. TheCoachesJournal.com/subscribe

What's your favorite exercise for athletes?

Bill Belichick's advice for assistants:

Luke Fickell's 3 Program Pillars: 1. Trust "Bonds aren't built overnight. Do your actions match your words?" 2. Respect "Trust, respect, and love each other, and have each other's backs.” 3. Love "When you pour your heart and soul into it and stick together, that's what wins."

Crying he said, “Mom, I got cut.” Pat Summitt's son was heartbroken, she was upset, but… She didn't blame the coach. She didn't complain to the admin. She said, "Son, you didn't work hard enough. I guarantee if you wear out both of those basketballs, you'll make the team."

Dear Coaches, Yes, your job is important, but it's not everything. At the end of the day, you won't regret not making one more call, sending one more email, staying one more hour. You'll regret not spending time with a friend, a family member, a loved one. Sincerely, Priorities

I don't want you worrying about people on the outside or even the person sitting next to you. This is a you vs. you battle. Whether it's the preparation of mind and body, the understanding of the game, you need to continually get better. Mike Tomlin on expectations:

Me: "I deserve to play." We: "We have to earn it every day." Me: "I don't like my role." We: "Everyone's role is important." Me: "That's not my fault." We: "We have to be accountable." Me: "They don't like me." We: "No one's above the team." Me gets you beat. We gets you far.

The Principles of Popovich: 1. Humility "Get over yourself." 2. Discipline "Don't skip any steps." 3. Determination "Grow and get better every day." 4. Toughness "Respond the right way." 5. Togetherness "Sacrifice for each other." 6. Perspective "See the big picture."

If you show up early, if you stay late, if you work hard, if you know the signs, if you're a great teammate, you're going to get a chance. If you learn to eat better, sleep better, study better, manage your time better, you're going to play better. Tony Vitello on mentality:

Reliable: "I want to get there early." Unreliable: "I forgot to set my alarm." Reliable: "Let's get some extra reps." Unreliable: "Let's get this over with." Reliable: "That's not how we do things." Unreliable: "They won't even know." Show up. Do the work. Lead the way.

Great reminder for all coaches: "You can have the best plays in the world, you can know more than most people about the game, but if you don't have relationships with your players, if you don't have true buy in, it doesn't matter. It will fall on deaf ears." — Michael Malone

Dear Athletes, The time will come when fall will ask what you did all summer … and it will never lie. It will be obvious who committed and who coasted. Who challenged themselves and who cheated themselves. Who raised their level and who risked their role. Sincerely, The Truth

You don't rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your training and habits. It's all about trying to go 1-0 every day. The little things matter. The little wins add up. If your habits are strong, you're going to be successful. James Franklin on mindset:

Miami Heat Culture: Hardest Working "No fake gym rats." Best Conditioned "Challenge yourself." Most Prepared "The process never stops." Most Unselfish "We're in this together." Most Disliked "We're not for everybody." Toughest & Meanest "You have to show some grit."

What I always talk about is staying engaged and staying focused whether you're in the game or not. Whenever you're called upon, you need to be ready. Then if we bring someone else in, you high five each other and you root for that person. Patty Gasso's 'Pass the Bat' mentality:

In Real Programs: 1. Standards are set 2. Relationships are built 3. Life lessons are taught 4. Little things are coached 5. Academics are emphasized 6. Fundamentals are developed 7. Good habits are formed 8. Goals are achieved 9. Lives are changed 10. Legacies are left