Lines + Circles

A new way to understand sports bringing real insights with bit-sized content.

Incompetence, in the limit, is indistinguishable from sabotage

Being a Head Coach is Hard. Unless you have done it, you do not understand. Here are 8 Realities that All Head Coaches Face: 1: It will consume you. Coaching is more than just a job - it's a way of life. You'll spend countless hours planning practices, analyzing game film, and strategizing for the next game. It can consume you. But when you see your team succeed, it makes it all worth it. 2: There will always be critics. No matter your success, people will always criticize your decisions and strategies. Even w/State Championship Teams. Know and Accept this. Always remember that you know your team better than anyone, and your goal is to do what's best for them. 3: You are not in it for the money. Coaching does not usually pay well, but it's not about the money. Don't calculate your hourly wage. It is a calling. A lifestyle. It's about the love of the game and helping young athletes grow and develop into their full potential. 4: There is no overnight success. Building a successful team takes time, patience, & dedication. There will be ups and downs, but if you stay the course, you'll see the results. Always remember that your #1 job is to Build Culture. Play the long game with Culture. 5: You need a supportive spouse. This should be #1 on the list for many! Coaching can put a strain on your family Having a spouse who understands and supports your passion is CRITICAL. Make sure to take the time to show your appreciation and give back whenever possible. 6: You will not make everyone happy. As a coach, you will make tough decisions that not everyone will agree with. This happens A LOT. But remember, you're in it for the benefit of the TEAM, not just one individual. You will NEVER make everyone happy. 7: You can't want it more than the kids. As a coach, you can inspire & motivate your players, but ultimately, they have to want it. This can be hard for a younger coach. Encourage them to work hard & set goals. Let them take ownership of their own success. 8: It is still WORTH it! Despite the challenges, being a coach is incredibly rewarding! Watching your players grow & develop into strong, confident young adults is one of the best feelings in the world. Watching a team grow is very rewarding. Always remember WHY you coach. -Sam Cannon

Marcelo Bielsa, in his first press conference as Uruguay manager, on the difference between a spectator and a fan. What a man.

In the back of a comedy club, a struggling comedian got a chance to talk to Jerry Seinfeld. He said he’d been struggling and sacrificing for about 10 years to “make it” as a comedian. Approaching his 30s, he was worried he’d taken the wrong path. Seinfeld gave him this advice: “This [pointing at the stage] is such a special thing,” Seinfeld says. “This has nothing to do with ‘making it.’” “But did you ever stop and compare your life?” the struggling comedian says. “I see my friends, and they’re making a lot of money. They’re moving up. They’re all married. They’re all having kids. They have houses. They have a sense of normality.” Seinfeld makes a disgusted face and then says, “let me tell you a story. This is my favorite story about show business.” “Glenn Miller's orchestra is doing a gig...They can't land the plane because it's winter, a snowy night—they have to land in this field and walk to the gig. They're dressed in their suits. They’re carrying their instruments. They’re walking through the snow—it's wet and slushy. And in the distance they see this little house…They go up to the house and look in the window. Inside they see this family. There's a guy and his wife—she’s beautiful. There's two kids, and they're all sitting around the table. They’re smiling. They're laughing. There's a fire in the fireplace... These guys are standing there in their suits. They're wet and shivering, holding their instruments, and they're watching this incredible Norman Rockwell scene. And one guy turns to another guy and goes, 'How do people live like that?' That's what it's about.” Takeaway 1: Comparison, it is said, is the thief of joy. James Altucher has written about a cure for comparison. Usually, when we compare ourselves to someone, we compare ourselves to a select few aspects of their life (their house, their good looks, or their professional success, etc.). Instead, James writes, “picture that you can change places in every way with them. But then it’s forever...Would you do it.” Usually—as Seinfeld’s story illustrates—the answer is…no, you wouldn’t want their whole life. Takeaway 2: One of the differences between Seinfeld and the struggling comedian is the way in which they view comedy. The struggling comedian sees comedy as a means to some end—there’s some amount of money or celebrity that would make him feel like he “made it.” For Seinfeld, comedy is an end in itself. “[It] has nothing to do with ‘making it,’” as he said. For Seinfeld, as Ryan Holiday once told me, “The work is the win.” - - - “The set I get to do tonight at 7:20 PM is the win. I get to do comedy—I won. It being predicated on doing X or being bigger than Y—no, no, no. To me, it’s always just been about the work. I’m on house money, full-time.” — Hasan Minhaj Follow @bpoppenheimer for more content like this!

@_B___S Grandaughter*

@self_pass This is sad, so sad.

@thehockeysite We didnt always agreed in some minor topics yet at large share the same passion & the bigger picture for a solid, transparent & one way or the other + progressive sport. I (publicly) bury the hatchet. Will be just a supporter for people like you (while you still have the eenergy)

We call it a day and our voice will go silent now. 🖤

@self_pass Take care guys. Hope you all find more happiness and success in your next venture(s)

@carlosgcuenca Gracias Carlinhos! Has sido siempre alguien con quien discutir sobre tantas questiones en profundidad y detalle sobre nuestro deporte. Hasta pronto!

@self_pass Gracias por vuestra pasión y dedicación, por llevar al hockey a un nivel superior y por haber intentado romper con el “status quo” de nuestro deporte. Voces como la vuestra han generado debates, reflexiones e inquietudes muy intensas, necesarias y positivas. Hasta pronto!

Sad to note Enjoyed the reading Godspeed

@EhcoHockey 🖤

@self_pass We shall all deeply meditate why one of the best field hockey social platforms is deciding to stop its activity. We have enjoyed each and every second you've been dedicated to our beloved sport and values. We can only be grateful for your commitment and wish you the best!

@eurohockeyorg @ehf_marijke Vague & full of political 'keywords' Hockey in Europe is extremely polarized. Several weak countries are in risk of collapsing. Management is political, old-fashioned & insensitive to the real needs. Yet as someone from EHF rightfully told me some weeks ago... I care too much..😎

“To be approached and considered as a Deputy Chef de Mission in Paris is a huge privilege.” Australian hockey great @knowlesy09 has been announced as a Deputy Chef de Mission for @AUSOlympicTeam at next year’s Games in Paris. loom.ly/3f-d1vc

Probably there was never a time on youth sports with so much training possibilities and so less playground time.

@SamuraiPizzaRob @tommyialexander An example that might be very clear if you follow a bit of football. Nowadays the transfer buzz and doc-style content that very often doesnt even show action/game situations are extremely relevant for holding the buzz in that sport. We still posting 'microsoft paint-like' stuff

@SamuraiPizzaRob @tommyialexander I think this is often the chicken-egg question or simply the ROI perspective that such an (initially small) investment can bring. It is a wider question that just clubs/social media. Hockey zeitgest and its perception is very linear and based on traditional views of the sport.

The few 'digital entrepreneurs' of hockey are losing their energy. Besides a couple of educational projects & shops, the sport is too much of a conservative niche. The few organizations that could innovate either lost their motivation or are too traditional.

Red Bull is good for sports. Red Bull is bad for sports.

Hockey became uncool and old fashion digitally. Still stuck on tricks, goals & basic infographics. One-dimensional and not impacting the culture at all... Kids are still buying sticks/shoes and car dealers still like to be involved.