The Victories during the 2012 Summer Olympics were perfect examples of Intense, Dedicated, Disciplined Athletic Competitions.

The “Olympic Ideal” Embodies the “Holistic Athletic Experience” of Enhanced Body, Mind, Soul, Character, Productivity and Citizenship facilitated by Athletic Competition.

It’s time to Restore the “Olympic Ideal”, “the Holistic Athletic Experience” in Child and Youth Sports, Recreation and Exercise (SRE).

Performance is one of the manin objectives of the Holistic Athletic Experience.

WHAT CAN THE CHILD AND YOUTH ATHLETE DO FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE?

I. BE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALlY READY.

MNEMONIC FOR CHILD AND YOUTH SRE READINESS:

• REST: Early to Bed
• ESSENTIAL WATER: Plenty Water, Keep your Urine Light Lemonade Color
• ALERT: Pay Attention in Practice and Games
• DON’T USE: Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs
• INJURIES: Don’t Play Thru Injuries, Report them to your Coach or Trainer
• NUTRITION / FOOD: Balanced Diet
• EXERCISE AND DRILL PROPERLY
• STRETCH / WARM-UP
• STRESS REDUCTION

Spend time winding-down after your daily workouts, practices and conditining.

Stress has an undesirable effect on emotions. High levels of stress will have a negative impact on mental preparation and mental toughness.

Unwinding will balance your physical and emotional abilities.

Ahtletes should Lie down, meditate, concentrate and/or pray for 30 minutes every day and practice improving spirituality and faith. Clearing the mind of negative forces will facilitae the Athlete’s ability to concentrate on the positive forces at play in his or her life.

Athletes should stay in touch with their body signals and, for example, eat when hungary, drink water when thirsty and rest when tired. Intense work-outs require adequate rest. The physical body needs regular relaxation.

II. SEEK OUT A TRUSTWORTHY, MENTOR COACH WHO COACHES WITH THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE 4 R’S: RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, RELATIONSHIP RECOGNITION

• Respect

Coaches have a duty for the protection, safety, health, care, welfare and Human Rights of their Athletes. They should have a devotion-to and the highest regard for the humanity of their Athletes. Coaches are to regard and recognize the human dignity of their players. Coaches must pay attention, be compassionate recognize Athletes’ human value. Coaches should be considerate of players and athletes by treating them as humans. Coaches should dutifully respect the human life of their Athletes.

“Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you.”

Primum non nocere – “First do no harm to human life.”

• Responsibility

Coaches have an obligation of oversight for the Physical, Psychological (Emotional) well being of their Athletes during the administration of their coaching duties. Coaches must develop and implement responsible coaching policies and standards of Safety 1st.

Coaches are accountable and hold an important position and Fiduciary duty of Trust by the players and athletes. Coaches have a designated authority for the proper care of their players and athletes.

The Core of Coaching is Trust.

• Relationships

Coaches should develop a positive relationship with their Athletes and develop an excellent level of mutual understanding and trust with good interpersonal communication.

Devoting time for each player and athlete, the Coach will develop a positive relationship learning about each Athlete’s Ambitions, Abilities and Skills. Coaches develop a positive relationship by taking a personal interest with plans and techniques for each Athlete’s individualized improvement of play.

• Recognition

Coaches should acknowledge and recognize Athletes when they accomplish their goals and execute their performance plans well. Special one-on-one notice and complementary attention to the Athlete will enhance the trust for the Coach and motivate the Athlete. A pat on the back or the butt goes a long way.

An Holistic Athletic Experience requires balance and implementation of all the above factors.

Reblogged from Everything Under the Sun and Moon:

Enjoy everyone! Your body will thank you. Happy moving my friends!

Read more… 3 more words

Why is it that so many people aren’t successful in their resolutions?

It’s likely that these resolutions were not set up for success to begin with. Their ideas may have gotten stuck in the “wish” stage.

You’ve heard the quote by French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Wishes are plentiful: wishing you could fit into your high school jeans, wishing you had extra energy after work, wishing you had more money in the bank. A wish usually motivates action, but isn’t responsible for sustaining action. A goal is accompanied by a logical and realistic commitment to action, which turns a wish into a reality.

What can you do to ensure success?

One way of creating this plan is to write SMART goals. This is a process for creating Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic goals with a Timeline for success. Here are the 5 steps to write SMART goals that will turn your Wish into a Reality:

1. Specific – When you create your specific goal, ask yourself “What do I really mean?” and fine tune the specifications at least 3 times before chiseling it in stone.  If you are VERY specific about what you’re after, you’ll recognize the opportunities in your life to lead you toward the goal. For example, instead of writing “be able to do pull-ups,” specify, “complete un-assisted pull ups using full range-of-motion.”

2. Measurable – it must be clear how your success will be measured. Ask yourself: How much, how many, how often? Usually numbers help to measure success. Maybe you want to do 15 pull-ups or maybe you want to do pull ups for 60-seconds. Find a method of measurement that you can work toward.

3. Actions – Identify the actions you’ll need to take to accomplish your goal. For example, maybe you’ll have to practice 6 pull-ups every day for 3 weeks and then increase the number of pull-ups you do every day until you reach your goal. Or, if your goal is to write a book, there will be several steps in this section: write, edit, re-write, illustrate, publish, market, sell, etc.

4. Realistic – this is the hard one that frequently can bring you back to step 1. You have to ask yourself if you actually have the means and ability to realistically achieve this goal. If you’re a 45-year old women who is 5’2” and your goal is to be a runway model for the 2013 NYC Fashion Week, it may be somewhat unrealistic. It’s cool to have this as a goal, but in order to make it realistic, you may need to adjust the timeframe, specifics or measurements of success.

5. Timeline – give yourself a realistic timeline by which to accomplish your goal. If it’s a daily initiative, create a time of the day you’ll check-in with yourself. If it’s a long-term goal such as writing a book or saving money, give a deadline for yourself. Research shows that people achieve more when given shorter deadlines, so be good to yourself but not overly generous with your timeframe.  I usually create a deadline for each action item en route toward my goal, which holds me accountable for on-going efforts.

New Year’s Anti-Resolution Solution

Each year, millions of Americans create some sort of New Year’s resolution, whether it’s getting in shape, paying off debt, quitting smoking or even being a nicer person. The problem is, the average New Year’s Resolution is broken and forgotten by the time the last of the confetti is cleaned up. Though few people find success in setting and keeping resolutions, people keep doing it year after fruitless year. I would like to propose a new process to change this year:

• >>Making anti-resolutions
• >>Letting go of past mistakes and grievances
• >>Practicing self-compassion
• >>Meditating on what’s good in life

1. Make anti-resolutions.

One of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions is to lose weight. Most people start a radical diet or cut back on junk foods only to find themselves caught up in cravings for what they are depriving themselves of. What if, instead, people would make the anti-resolution to try different, healthier foods or pick up a new hobby that keeps them moving? There is an amazing variety of healthy foods to choose from. One could search recipe sites and magazines to find easy, healthy recipes. Or what about taking up a new hobby, like biking or long walks with a dog or loved one?

Instead of putting effort into breaking a bad behavior, put effort into creating a new, healthy habit. This makes it easier to build a new lifestyle without the guilt and shame of breaking resolutions.

2. Let go of the past.

One of the reasons why we can’t move on and change our life is that we refuse to let go of our past mistakes and failures. Let go of the old to move on to the new. God told the Israelites in Isaiah 43:18, “Forget the former things: do not dwell on the past.” Or consider the Turkish proverb, “No matter how far you have gone down a wrong road, turn around.” Holding on to your past mistakes only keeps you focused on the past, it’s time to move on. You can’t move forward while you are looking behind.

3. Practice self compassion.

The Yoga Sutra 1.33 teaches us about compassion, stating, “We are to have equanimity for those who make mistakes.” We should have the same compassion for ourselves—after all we are only human. We sometimes judge ourselves more harshly than others. This puts us in a vicious cycle of trying to change, failing, beating ourselves up and then going back to the old habit because it was easier.

The golden rule according to most religions of the world is “love your neighbor as yourself,” but you can’t love your neighbor as yourself if you don’t love yourself. Acknowledge that you deserve health and happiness. Recognize the suffering the habit you are trying to change is causing. Celebrate any positive action you have taken to support your change. If you are feeling bad about any setbacks, remind yourself that you are human and mistakes are an important part of the path to change. Remember the fable of the tortoise and the hare. The race doesn’t belong to the fastest runner, but goes to the one with patience and perseverance.

4. Meditate on what’s good.

Concentrate on the good and positive things about your life. Paul says in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Two years ago I hurt my lower back. I was in horrible pain. When I decided to go back to my yoga class I couldn’t bend over. About half way through the class I was about to burst into tears because I could barely move into any of the poses. I was wondering why I had come when it hit me—there are a few poses I can do. I decided to concentrate on the poses I could do and forgive myself for the ones I couldn’t. I went home ecstatic and my doctor was amazed at how quickly my back healed after returning to my yoga practice. If I had only concentrated on the things I couldn’t do, I would have given up and gone home, and my back probably would have taken a lot longer to heal.

Let’s start this New Year, the new week, this new day with a positive outlook.

Wake up each morning being thankful for who you are and what you can do, don’t concentrate on the negative. Put the past behind you each and every morning. Each day has new possibilities and new opportunities for change. Let go of the things that are holding you down. Find new things that build you up. Who needs more broken resolutions? What we need are real solutions to create change in our lives.

Inspirational Coach Quote #1

Leadership, like coaching, is fighting for the hearts and souls of men and getting them to believe in you.

Eddie Robinson

Inspirational Coach Quote #2

Make sure that team members know they are working with you, not for you.

John Wooden

Inspirational Coach Quote #3

The secret to winning is constant, consistent management.

Tom Landry

Inspirational Coach Quote #4

Over coaching is the worst thing you can do to a player.

Dean Smith

Inspirational Coach Quote #5

Coaching is a profession of love. You can’t coach people unless you love them.

Eddie Robinson

Inspirational Coach Quote #6

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.

John Wooden

Inspirational Coach Quote #7

In a crisis, don’t hide behind anything or anybody. They are going to find you anyway.

Bear Bryant

Inspirational Coach Quote #8

You can motivate by fear, and you can motivate by reward. But both those methods are only temporary. The only lasting thing is self motivation.

Homer Rice

Inspirational Coach Quote #9

Either love your players or get out of coaching.

Bobby Dodd

Inspirational Coach Quote #10

Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period.

Lou Holtz

I hope you’ve enjoyed these Inspiring Coaching Quotations.

THIS IS THE ARTICLE FROM YAHOO SPORTS

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Colin Kaepernick has earned himself a third straight start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.

Coach Jim Harbaugh made the announcement Wednesday that Kaepernick would go Sunday at St. Louis over Alex Smith after the second-year pro led the NFC West-leading Niners (8-2-1) to victories in the past two games, his first two NFL starts.

”The rationale is we have two quarterbacks that we feel great about as a starting quarterback,” Harbaugh said. ”Both have earned it, both deserve it – Alex over a long period of time, Colin by virtue of the last three games. It tips the scales. Colin we believe has the hot hand. We’ll go with Colin. And we’ll go with Alex. They’re both our guys.”

Yes, Harbaugh is still leaving open every possibility, saying it still could be a week-to-week decision. All Kaepernick knows is he will begin Sunday’s game under center.

Harbaugh warned, ”I wouldn’t assume anything.”

”To start talking about speculation or every permutation you could get into, we’re not going to speculate on it,” Harbaugh said. ”We’re worried about everything and we fear nothing.”

The reigning NFL Coach of the Year told his players on the field at some point during Wednesday morning’s walk-through practice.

Kaepernick has completed 48 of 74 passes for 680 yards and three touchdowns with one interception and was sacked six times. He has a 102.3 passer rating.

”I don’t know if it’s a hot hand. Whatever you want to call it. I’m just happy I get to go back out there,” Kaepernick said. ”It’s a great chance to lead this team and show we’re a great team and we can go into the playoffs.”

Smith, the 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick, hardly looked happy on the sideline during Sunday’s win over the Saints after being medically cleared from a concussion suffered in the first half of a 24-24 tie against St. Louis on Nov. 11.

As the questions about his quarterback decision kept coming from every direction, Harbaugh repeatedly said, ”I think I’ve covered and plowed that ground about as thoroughly as it can be plowed.”

He did say kicker David Akers is nursing an undisclosed injury, and that’s why the 49ers worked out kickers Tuesday.

”David Akers is working through something and we want to make sure we have a Plan B,” Harbaugh said.

Sports have more effects on a child’s  development than most realize. Physical exercise is required for a child’s  healthy growth, and several social, physical and emotional benefits exist as  well. Participation in sports helps children form lifelong positive attitudes  about goals, sportsmanship, teamwork and exercise. The effects reach outside the  ball game and into other parts of their lives.

Physical Development

• In addition to eating nutritional foods and getting adequate sleep, children  need plenty of exercise  to keep their bodies healthy and help develop strong bones and muscles. Physical  exercise also strengthens children’s developing hearts and lungs. Playing sports  improves their motor skills, such as kicking, throwing and running. A child’s  motor skills development and hand-eye coordination can be stunted if she does  not exercise during the critical growth stages. Participating in sports  regularly decreases a child’s risk of becoming obese and developing  obesity-related health problems. It promotes better sleep, which helps children  grow mentally and physically. Finally, physical exercise helps develop a child’s  immune system.

Social and Emotional Development

• Participating in sports forces children  to play with other kids, which helps them develop good social skills such as  communicating, sharing and empathizing. Children can often find good friends and  develop strong relationships with others on sports teams. Playing family sports  provides a time for family members to bond and an opportunity for adults to  model healthy exercise habits for children. A child who plays sports learns  about teamwork and being a part of something bigger than himself; he learns that  he plays a role in the bigger picture in order for the team to  succeed.

Emotional Development

• Sports help children learn to deal with defeat. Learning this early on  prepares a child for bigger defeats later on in life. On the other hand, a child  also has the opportunity to experience success based on her efforts.  Participation in sports builds up a child’s self-confidence, which is an  important part of emotional development. Exercise in general helps young  children develop a healthy self-image, as they take pride in their physical  accomplishments. Sports also teaches children to set goals for themselves and to  work toward achieving them.

Practical Considerations

• The sports program a child partakes depends on the child’s age, physical  development and attention span, as a program to complicated and challenging  leads to embarrassment,  frustration and discouragement that has negative impacts on a child’s  development. The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends a sports session  of a maximum of  20 minutes of structured sports activity, followed by 30  minutes of free play.

   

  For More Information go to: http://www.burlingamer.com/page/show/633087-lil-kickers-growing-at-the-burlingamer-

5 ways to Think like a Champion

This inspires me to think harder and work harder everyday

1. Champions Expect to Win – When they walk on the court, on the field, into a meeting or in a classroom they expect to win. In fact they are surprised when they don’t win. They expect success and their positive beliefs often lead to positive actions and outcomes. They win in their mind first and then they win in the hearts and minds of their customers, students or fans.

2. Champions Celebrate the Small Wins – By celebrating the small wins champions gain the confidence to go after the big wins. Big wins and big success happen through the accumulation of many small victories. This doesn’t mean champions become complacent. Rather, with the right kind of celebration and reinforcement, champions work harder, practice more and believe they can do greater things.

3. Champions Don’t Make Excuses When They Don’t Win – They don’t focus on the faults of others. They focus on what they can do better. They see their mistakes and defeats as opportunities for growth. As a result they become stronger, wiser and better.

4. Champions Focus on What They Get To Do, Not What They Have To Do – They see their life and work as a gift not an obligation. They know that if they want to achieve a certain outcome they must commit to and appreciate the process. They may not love every minute of their journey but their attitude and will helps them develop their skill.

5. Champions Believe They Will Experience More Wins in the Future – Their faith is greater than their fear. Their positive energy is greater than the chorus of negativity. Their certainty is greater than all the doubt. Their passion and purpose are greater than their challenges. In spite of their situation champions believe their best days are ahead of them, not behind them.

If you don’t think you have what it takes to be a champion, think again. Champions aren’t born. They are shaped and molded. And as iron sharpens iron you can develop your mindset and the mindset of your team with the right thinking, beliefs and expectations that lead to powerful actions.

by Jon Gordon

This was an article I read today and had to post.  I know everyone is talking about it, and really no one has an answer.  So I thought I would add to all the confusion of what we are now calling the worst call ever.  This gives some good reason to what is going on behind it all

Plus I had Green Bay’s D, for Fantasy and this cost me some points

Article by: Derek Thompson is a senior editor at The Atlantic,

Last night on Monday Night Football, the Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson threw an interception in the endzone to lose the game to the Green Bay Packers. Then he gloriously threw up his hands, celebrated with ecstatic teammates, and watched his kicker put the extra point through the uprights, sealing a Seahawks victory.

Wait, what?

Yes, exactly. With the league’s officials locked out due to a labor dispute with the NFL, the replacement referees called the interception a touchdown. Basically, the defender caught the pass, but the wide receiver put his hands around the ball to make it look like a shared catch, and under the tie-goes-to-the-runner principle, the refs called it a touchdown — even after a video review. The TV announcers were apoplectic. Several appeared on the verge of tears. The Packers looked vaguely murderous. Even the prudish ESPN ran the indignant headline “Replacement refs decide game.”

So, out with the scabs? Not so fast. The broad assumption is that this fateful play will hasten the end of the lockout. Maybe it should, and maybe it will. But from a business standpoint, the NFL doesn’t have much more reason to budge than it did 48 hours ago. TV ratings are at record-highs. Sunday night’s ratings were up 8% over a year ago. Viewers are furious, but they’re also viewers, and the fans’ indignation is more fleeting and harder to measure than ratings or ad dollars and TV licensing agreements.

“The NFL has essentially identified its product as being inelastic,” said Eben Jose, a sports business analyst at IBISWorld. “They have no reason to really push a deal with the refs because TV ratings are better than ever.”

Of course, the NFL has a keen interest in protecting its brand before it suffers a backlash (they already fired last night’s referees). But the league is also making a business calculation: If NFL fans keep watching replacement-ref games, how much do they really value the more expensive referees? Why should we pay more money for the same financial returns?

I don’t know any football fan who thinks the current NFL “product” is superior to last year. But collectively, we’re consuming more of it. If you want the real refs back, the best thing you can do isn’t to root for more errors. It’s simply not to root at all. The loudest and clearest way to ask for a change is simply to change the channel.