tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38257981570561595232024-03-13T16:38:01.566-07:00Lend Me Your ImaginationKevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-87894023663806727522021-08-10T05:20:00.003-07:002021-08-10T05:20:32.161-07:00A human being, even as we are: reflection of the 2020 Olympic Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhancWiD7KB_UNBmOp1dzZ2q11A4XK1vDvANk1Faa6gqU7uMBmRm9aDFR39-D6A4RSHUjirY80RbV8MTp0yHbNl1MIkV7xJCg1S3IlcA_pFVzPWS8qiHGczo6-XG3balhBfO6QCj8sdxgOp/s1000/Tokyo-Olympics.jpeg-1000x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhancWiD7KB_UNBmOp1dzZ2q11A4XK1vDvANk1Faa6gqU7uMBmRm9aDFR39-D6A4RSHUjirY80RbV8MTp0yHbNl1MIkV7xJCg1S3IlcA_pFVzPWS8qiHGczo6-XG3balhBfO6QCj8sdxgOp/s320/Tokyo-Olympics.jpeg-1000x500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The Olympic Games are the biggest arena for individual heroism in sports. My heart strings are tugged every time I witness greatness on a grand scale and there is no shortage of such things at the Games. </p><p>There are so many things that go through my mind when I watch the Olympics. I think about what it must have taken for each athlete to get to this point in their career. So much has been invested. So many things have been sacrificed. Their dedication and commitment is evident and they've inevitably been "overcomers" in order to possess the mental fortitude on display.</p><p>All of this makes the Olympic Games seem like something in our imaginations. Like it's not real and, most definitely, not attainable or a viable option for those watching from home.</p><p>Except, it is. It's both real and attainable.</p><p>The curious fact is that these athletes are just <i>ordinary people who do extraordinary things</i>. They go above and beyond expectation in many areas and they follow a strict training plan that fully integrates every nuance of their lives, however, they all have insecurities and fears. They embrace struggle and strain in order to experience triumphant victories. They're just people. </p><p>"Elijah was a human being, even as we are." These words from the book of James (5:17) had a tremendous impact on me the first time I read them. Elijah was an Old Testament prophet and miracle worker. By all standards, he was really big deal, except James said he was just a regular guy. Those heroes of faith in the Bible, similar to the greatest of Olympians, were simply men and women just like you and me.</p><p>This gives me great hope and a sense of freedom to go for my goals, as well as encourage and inspire my athletes to pursue theirs. Maybe it does the same for you. However, I also get scared to think about this because it calls us out. If not me, then who? If not you, then who?</p><p>The Olympic Games are the place where regular people transcend the human existence and become larger than life, and for a moment in time lift the rest of us up to a better place.</p><p><i>Citius, Altius, Fortius</i>. Swifter, Higher, Stronger. This is the credo.</p><p>Still, they're ordinary people. That's what I like best. There is an incredible amount of commitment and dedication, tremendous accolades and records, but there's also a lot of regular. That seems tangible. We can understand this.</p><p>I love it when ordinary people do unexpected things. It helps me to believe that no matter how unremarkable I may feel, God can do something extraordinary with me. There are some common "ingredients" that we would do well to deposit into our pursuits if we desire to live the life of an Olympian, possibly becoming one in 2024 or beyond: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Grit - Passion + Perseverance </li><li>A clear vision - eyes on the prize and in clear view</li><li>Freedom - exactly who you were created to be; use the freedom to be/do more, not less</li><li>Integrity - connecting all of the dots and unifying all aspects of your life into the vision and purpose</li></ul><p></p><p>We hosted a camp last week during the Olympic Games with several athletes who have real Olympic dreams. We watched every wrestling match, picking apart the words mentioned above and understanding that this all requires a deep sense of purpose, sincere meekness, and bold courage, as well. </p><p>There's noting inherently "special" about the athletes we watch in the Olympics. They're just people like you and me. There's no magic pill, special technique, talent, or luck that put them onto the biggest stage. Their stories always include a ton of little things added up over time. The Olympics demonstrate that success is about development and maturity through the process. You can make the changes to commit to that.</p><p>You're just a regular person. Now, go and do extraordinary things. The changes God wants to see in our lives happens from within. He's not trying to put something inside of us; He wants to pull something out of us. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7</span></p>Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-58792435617868541882020-09-07T07:54:00.001-07:002020-09-07T08:03:00.059-07:00Finite Games vs. Infinite Games<p>Simon Sirek rose to popularity in the business world with his TED Talk <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action">"How Great Leaders Inspire Action"</a> based on his book <i>Start With Why</i>. It transformed leadership across the world, including the sports world, starting with that central question: what's your why? He followed it up by becoming one of the greatest motivational speakers in the world and writing his second book <i>Leaders Eat Last</i>. </p><p>His most recent release is <i>The Infinite Game</i>. He uses "game theory" as a way to describe impactful and long-term success in life, business, and elsewhere.</p><p>A <b>finite game</b> is defined as known players, fixed rules, and an agreed-upon objective. Once the objective is reached, the game ends. Most board games and sports operate this way.</p><p>An <b>infinite game</b> is defined as known and unknown players, the rules are changeable, and the objective is to perpetuate the game. The goal of the game is to play in a way that allows you to keep playing.</p><p>When you pit a finite player against a finite player, the system is stable. Baseball, for example, is stable. When you pit an infinite player versus an infinite player, the system is also stable. The Cold War was stable because in an infinite game there are no winners or losers. You cannot lose the game, so we work to keep the game in play. </p><p>It's important to be clear on which type of game you are playing. If you're in an infinite game and trying to win, you won't succeed, because there are no winners and losers. In a finite game, you cannot do as you please because you'll get passed up (and lose).</p><p>In real life, the games we play are mostly infinite games. Things like relationships, our health, education and most businesses. However, much of the language we use in these areas is about competition, winning, being the best, being number one, etc. How can you be number one when the standards aren't clearly defined? So, we should be striving to build things that last rather than just trying to win.</p><p>Don't misunderstand this concept. I love to win. And winning is important, but only when score is kept and the outcome is clearly defined. </p><p>In the wrestling room, learning new skills, understanding positions, etc. are infinite games. </p><p>Live combat, matches, etc. are finite games. </p><p>It's critical that we understand the difference and both partners are on the same page. We grow frustrated quickly when trying to learn a new skill and our partner fights everything. The same can be said when we have a very clear 6-minute live go and a wrestler stops to ask questions about a position. As a coach, I need to be crystal clear about what type of "game" we're playing at all times. While learning a skill, our partner needs to provide the pressure that leads to success instead of fighting back. During a live go, a wrestler must hold their thought until the whistle blows before asking that question. Practices go much smoother and more efficient when the players are all playing the same game.</p><p>For us, "play wrestling" and "sparring" are infinite games. There's no score kept, so no one can win or lose. The goal is, in fact, to keep wrestling and learn in new positions. This can take the pressure off that athlete with a fixed mindset (see yesterday's post). There should be no coaching or instruction during these times unless it's wrestler directed - innovate, create, take risks and keep wrestling. </p><p>"Live" wrestling is straight forward: all wrestling rules apply and there is a clear winner and loser. It's no hold's barred. It's not a time to innovate or create if it's causing problems. Implement sound strategy and tactics and stay on task. Coaches should wield their whistle and voice their opinions to help motivate the correct attitudes.</p><p>Sirek didn't write <i>Infinite Game</i> with wrestling in mind, however, much of game theory can applied to our sport and how we train. Success in operating a business with an infinite game mindset is to create longevity by drawing people into a just cause with a big vision of the future, treating others with respect and resting in the strength of leadership. This also defines a successful wrestling program.</p><p><br /></p>Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-90183603697894910772020-09-05T18:33:00.000-07:002020-09-05T18:33:22.267-07:00The Growth Mindset Thrives on Challenges<p>The <b>Growth Mindset</b> thrives on challenges. This is critically important for the athlete who is willing to push beyond their comfort zone in order to be the best that he/she can be. They know that failure is doesn't define them, so they're free to give it their all. In fact, the outcome is secondary to the process when development is on the line.</p><p><i>Mindset: The New Psychology of Success</i> is the result of the brilliant work by Carol Dweck. She's a psychologist and researcher from Stanford and tackled the subject of belief systems, specifically how our beliefs, both conscious and unconscious, impact nearly all aspects of our lives.</p><p>I first heard about <i>Mindset</i> from a friend of mine who was a school administrator. His team had read and discussed the book over that summer and he told me it was a complete game changer for him and his staff. He shared a few revelations and I was hooked, so I bought the book on Amazon. He was right, it's truly a game changer.</p><p>Because of this book, I've allowed small changes to positively impact my belief systems and how I see myself and my role as a coach. It's helped our athletes move in the direction of a growth mindset in order to maximize their development. </p><p>I chose <i>Mindset</i> for my first post because I'm already very familiar with it. On Blinkist, it's a quick listen that I enjoy from time to time.</p><p>The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset. Our mindset is created at a very young age (and can change over time). A fixed mindset assumes that our character, intelligence, and creative ability are "fixed" and cannot be changed in any meaningful way and success comes as a result of those fixed qualities. You either have "it" or you don't. They believe talent is king and will only do the things that they're naturally gifted at. The problem: talent doesn't always receive training.</p><p>The growth mindset believes that growth and development is possible and that individual will push their growth potential. There's really no telling how how the ceiling is for an athlete with a growth mindset while a fixed mindset places a lid on growth potential because a fixed minded individual needs to protect their reputation or status quo. </p><p>The fixed mindset seeks approval. A growth mindset seeks development.</p><p>To the fixed mindset, failure is disaster. With a growth mindset, it's an opportunity to grow.</p><p>Fixed mindsets avoid difficulties, growth mindsets relish them.</p><p>Dweck explains that we adapt our mindset from our roll models. Parents often instill a certain mindset into their children by the time they turn three years old. It's revealed in how small children play and solve problems. The fixed mindset believes things are unchangeable and the growth mindset tries new ways.</p><p>I watch this play out in the wrestling room and I can quickly identify which mindset an athlete is working with. What's unique is it can go back and forth, which makes it important for us as coaches to fan the flames of the growth mindset and squash the desires to resort back into a fixed mindset.</p><p>For example, when development is taking place and we're focused on an opportunity for growth (aka, a "weakness"...notice the language choice...), it's important that we don't emphasize the outcome. Rather, we want to get submersed in the process and learn in the middle of those hardships or unfamiliar positions. We encourage taking risks, being vulnerable and celebrate creativity and experimentation. Sometimes we have to resist the urge to score/finish in hopes of improving in the process. Often times, a growth mindset responds well to a practice scenario like this, but a fixed mindset struggles and wants to get to the end. In fact, the fixed mindset will sometimes take short cuts to finish the hold or win the position or even abandon the objective of the drill entirely just to "win" and protect their reputation.</p><p>It's tricky because many times the one who has been to the top quickest (matured sooner, elite sooner, etc.) develops a fixed mindset completely on accident. They win early and part of their identity is attached to early success because they heard from many other how great they are. They have to protect what others have said and don't want to let down others with expectations or opinions (seeking approval of others). It creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over.</p><p>I've seen a lot of successful athletes who believe they need to prove themselves during practice because every situation calls for a confirmation of their talent, reputation, personality, or character. Every situation is evaluated: Will I succeed or fail? Will I look good or bad? Will I be accepted or rejected?</p><p>Unfortunately for the athlete with the fixed mindset, we don't really provide the confirmation he/she is looking for. Instead, we champion vulnerability, risk taking and the beauty of being comfortable with the uncomfortable. We demand progress in the process and protecting a reputation or an opinion of one's self isn't a recipe for growth, development and sustained success. </p><p>People with a fixed mindset obstruct their own development through their belief in innate talent and their fear of failure. On the contrary, people with a growth mindset work hard and train hard to ultimately realize their potential to the fullest. By confronting our own attitudes and ideas, we can develop a growth mindset.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6NHQ6iVUXz7xroU9eApGJHe7i_9qAeCe5A9M0Yzxs1_Je5m1o7UNIDJ_wEi62Tz3Wh3XFBBdtNZv0dIOqLaoZHNFeSDibjxlGbH5zbyjrYs-tucyYIVB4QmgXXKPmsZDwdFh9ii_sBA6/s802/GrowthMindset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6NHQ6iVUXz7xroU9eApGJHe7i_9qAeCe5A9M0Yzxs1_Je5m1o7UNIDJ_wEi62Tz3Wh3XFBBdtNZv0dIOqLaoZHNFeSDibjxlGbH5zbyjrYs-tucyYIVB4QmgXXKPmsZDwdFh9ii_sBA6/s320/GrowthMindset.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-48163023320546430522020-09-04T20:33:00.001-07:002020-09-04T20:35:57.550-07:00A New Blog Project<p>It's been a minute since I've written a meaningful blog. As I've said many times, I enjoy taking time to write-out my thoughts and share some insights with others. I'm grateful for the feedback and support that I've received about this little space on the internet. I wish I made more time for this.</p><p>With that said, I'm taking on a <i>Lend Me Your Imagination</i> project since the boys are back in school (for now...). Last September, I mustered up as much energy as I could to write a new blog each day for 30 days. This year, I'm going to use the highlights of several non-fiction books and apply them to our lives in the athletic world, specifically the wrestling community, each day throughout the month of September.</p><p>We re-opened Victory School of Wrestling and have started our preseason training programs. A major component to the success of our programs is the non-wrestling skills that our athletes acquire and the off-the-mat focus we place on training. This project will allow for some of our new members to experience training as the <i>Total Athlete</i> - body, mind and soul - and it will give others an important look into the way we do things.</p><p>I'm going to use Blinkist to help me delve into many different books. It's an app that summarizes non-fiction books by sharing something like the "Cliff's notes" (called "blinks"). The app includes champion authors like Brene Brown and Simon Sinek - two of my favorites. The blinks highlight the main points and allow you to get through a book in less than 10 minutes. Of course, they take out much of the story telling (Brene Brown's strongest quality as a writer) and get down to the nuts and bolts in an outline form. Although very brief, they give me a lot of powerful material to implement into our training programs. They also wet my pallet before choosing to dig into the entire book.</p><p>I've created a list of books that I'm going to review over the next month and apply each one to the scenarios of our lives/training. You can expect something from the following titles:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Mindset</i> by Carol Dweck</li><li><i>The Infinite Game</i> by Simon Sinek</li><li><i>The Power of Habit</i> by Charles Duhigg</li><li><i>First Things First</i> by Stephen R. Covey</li><li><i>A Whole New Mind</i> by Daniel Pink</li><li><i>What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast</i> by Laura Vanderkam</li><li><i>Blink</i> by Malcolm Gladwell</li><li><i>Big Magic </i>by Elizabeth Gilbert</li><li><i>Creativity, Inc.</i> by Ed Catmull</li><li><i>Originals</i> by Adam Grant</li></ul><div>And several others. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.</div><p></p><p><br /></p>Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-85302996664422228602020-04-15T12:15:00.001-07:002020-04-15T12:48:55.743-07:00Are we ready to talk about youth sports yet?On March 11th I met with the Superintendent of our school district to discuss the likelihood of indefinitely postponing the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation (WWF) Kid's Qualifier that was scheduled to take place at our high school on March 20-21. Decisions were being made rapidly that week and information was changing by the minute. The term "social distancing" hadn't been fully understood yet and the "flattening the curve" conversation was in its infancy. Our school administration was hesitant to pull the trigger on an event that was over a week away because they had more pressing issues with events that immediate weekend. Addressing future events wasn't on the table. My dad (chairman of the WWF) agreed with administration that it would soon be the right decision to postpone in spite of the pressure from other board members who were pushing for the events to proceed.<br />
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Soon after that meeting, the NCAA announced that they were canceling the NCAA DIII Wrestling Championships. Then came the Final Four basketball tournament and the NCAA DI NCAA Wrestling Championships that were set to take place at US Bank Stadium only 35 minutes away from. The NBA, MLB and NCAA were all on hold. Of course, the WWF State Tournament series was postponed as were all other "large gatherings," which included youth sports of all types.<br />
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That's where we still are today.<br />
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So, are we ready to have a conversation about the state of youth sports yet? As you know, I'm full of opinions on this subject. I'm actually shocked that there hasn't been an uprising of "soccer moms" and "hockey dads" (I'm not singling out any sports...don't miss the point). Our entire economy has been affected and youth sports is big business in the United States. There are also a lot of families who don't have much else outside of their sports communities.<br />
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Thankfully, many of the organizations and businesses who make a living off youth sports seem to have carried a healthy perspective with this shut-down. This has served their members well because there's no other option. They've been creative in reaching their athletes in various ways and a lot of great online content has become available. In fact, it will likely usher in new opportunities for coaches and clubs to be involved with athletes.<br />
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It was time for our sports culture to hit the "pause" button and recognize that there is more to life than youth trophies and games. It took a nationwide shut-down, though, because it wasn't going to happen on its own. Parents have been forced to take a break from hustling from one practice to the next. They would not have chosen to. It's given kids the opportunity to get to bed a decent time. Parents wouldn't have prioritized that. In spite of this, there really haven't been status updates with rants about missing out on opportunities for their children to reach the next level or catch that elusive college scholarship or other misguided and uniformed motivations for the craziness.<br />
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That's good, right?<br />
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How long are we going to be okay with this, though? Is this opening up a change to status quo? Is the hectic scheduling and over-emphasizing youth games gone? Will parents value down time for their children? <br />
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Or are youth organizations chomping at the bit to get the green light to do it all over again? Will parents incorrectly assume that they've missed out and push hard to make-up for lost time? Will organizations double down and increase their reach? Are sports going to be forced to operate in other seasons, essentially eliminating "seasons" all together?<br />
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For several years, I've said that we are a part of a youth sports system that is broken. It replaces development with short cuts to success at young ages. Our youth athletes are getting too much, too soon. And, frankly, the lives of several families revolve around the sports calendar of their elementary aged children. As we've seen, sports can be taken from us at a moments notice for many reasons. Our identity should never be sports.<br />
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Here's your opportunity people. This is when you can make things right. Or, at least, consider what <i>is</i> right.<br />
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Are leaders looking at this shut down as a possible avenue to improve our product? Are parents willing to "put their foot down" and resist the unreasonable demands of their children's involvement? Once and for all, are we willing to do what is best for children or will we continue doing what parents want?<br />
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What do you think?<br />
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<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-36892936860670150202020-03-20T18:23:00.001-07:002020-03-21T09:19:43.154-07:00Victory: Connecting the Future and the PastThe word is out. We're re-opening Victory School of Wrestling this summer and we're really excited about the future. These are strange times in the lives of everyone in the US, and we're not minimizing the severity of our current scenario, however, we're optimistic about what's ahead for us while serving the wrestling community once again.<br />
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We've shared pictures on social media of the progress that's taking place at our new location at 660 N. Main St. in River Falls. Locals know it as the "Roen Building," which housed Roen Ford dealership and, most recently, Bernard's Auto. Patrick Traynor purchased the building and has begun remodeling it. We're grateful for the opportunity to share the space with his wife's eye clinic.<br />
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This week, Derek Miller, Jens and Jon Lantz and myself represented Victory and we did our part in some crucial demolition to prepare for the next steps. In the process, Derek's dedication was put to the test and he passed. With a front mounted jack hammer, he went to work on a small brick corner room that ended up being nothing short of a "bomb shelter." He also attacked a small set of stairs.<br />
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In those moments of struggle, Victory 2.0 connected with some interesting history.<br />
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Here's the backstory:<br />
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My Grandma Audrey left an incredible legacy in River Falls and I love being associated with many of her "pay-it-forward" acts of service. She passed away over two years ago and <a href="https://kjblack.blogspot.com/2018/03/words-of-memory-grandma-audrey.html" target="_blank">I was honored to speak at her funeral</a>. That day, I shared an important story about how proud she was of her father's imprint on our little community. He was a foreman and constructed several landmarks in town, including churches, office buildings, and most notably the Glen Park Pool, which was built as a part of FDR's Civil Works Administration during the Great Depression. I met with my grandma once a week and soaked up as many stories as I could while focusing on documenting her journey through life. She often boasted of her father's craftsmanship and how his cement was the best that was ever mixed. She really believed it, and many poor souls would eventually come to believe it as well.<br />
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When the Ezekiel Lutheran Church went through a renovation project in the late 80's, she was appalled that their leadership was certain that they'd be able to knock down the old sanctuary during one weekend. I remember watching that gigantic wrecking ball crash into the walls and the steeple coming down, but it didn't take a weekend. As Audrey recalled, it took them over two weeks to knock down what was made from that "Damn Luberg Cement!" She said it was a great feeling to drive by and watch those construction works struggle because they were so certain it would come down easily. Not her dad's work. She said she would watch from the car and laugh out loud.<br />
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Well, that story has sort of come full circle in our newest Victory School of Wrestling adventure as we embarked on that challenge to remove that small room in the back corner of the old Roen building. <br />
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Derek spent over 10 hours of uninterrupted jack hammering on Tuesday to get the 12-inch poured cement ceiling down. There was so much rebar...and a few swear words.<br />
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It all made sense this morning when my dad told me that Grandpa Luberg and Harley Roen were great friends and in 1968 he built that addition. My great grandfather actually built the area that will be our permanent wrestling space. How cool is that? I know it took longer to remove that little room than it did to build it!<br />
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In the midst of all of the anxiety and confusion happening in the world, an indelible memory took place for me that connected our future to the history of River Falls and my family. I know Grandma Audrey would be all wound-up over what is taking place in the world right now. She would have had several opinions about COVID-19, politics, end times prophesies, and people. She always had opinions about people. <br />
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She would have taken a few minutes to see what her grandson was up to by ordering my dad to drive her down to the building. She would have sat in the car and quietly observed a few grown men fumbling over the rubble. <br />
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Her head would be shaking and she would have waved her finger at Jon and Derek's expletives. And she would have laughed.<br />
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"That Damn Luberg Cement." Audrey would have gotten a kick out of it.<br />
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<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-81245702934730165242019-10-16T15:44:00.002-07:002019-10-16T15:44:32.679-07:00Influencing refs on controversial callsWhen I was a college athlete, we'd gather around the dinner table or campfire and play "poor sportsmanship or part of the game." It was made-up by one of our friends to spur on complicated conversation regarding scenarios from sports contests. The goal was to challenge each other as we made strides to represent Jesus Christ through competition. It forced us to put our faith to the test and be intentional about how we conduct ourselves on and off the mat/field of play.<br />
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We'd talk about things like trying to distract the free throw shooter or giving a little shove after the whistle under the guise of gaining a mental edge. Even a coach getting a little fired up with an official and taking a penalty, of sorts, to support his/her team. We never really came to consensus on any of them and nearly every scenario that was on the table was supported as "part of the sport" by those who participated in that sport and "poor sportsmanship" by those on the outside.<br />
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One of the most heated conversations was the idea of influencing refs on controversial calls. During an onside kick or a fumble, for example, what should we make of pointing in the direction of your team even though we're all certain we have no idea who has the ball under the pile. In wrestling, hounding the referee for a stalling call (guilty). Or even deeper, planting your feet and taking a charge in basketball, which is a strategic and necessary way to use the rule book to your advantage, but is it right to take something from someone that doesn't belong to you? <br />
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All very tricky situations. That's why the game was so much fun. It really did force us to dig down and consider who we were playing for and how we wanted to be seen as Christ followers.<br />
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On Monday, the Green Bay Packers won a Monday Night Football battle with the Detroit Lions. It was kind of an ugly win for the 5-1 Packers and served as another difficult loss for the Lions because they just seem snake bite by the referees so far this year. I'm a Packers fan, so no "gift" is received with any amount of guilt after getting hosed against the Seahawks several years ago. There are a lot of plays during the course of a football game and one or two plays, calls or no-calls make the sole difference in an outcome even if it feels that way. It has brought to light some important topics of conversation within the NFL, though (sorry that I'm not sorry the Lions are the scapegoat today).<br />
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In an interview with Yahoo! Sports, Packers lineman David Bakhtiari said he believed he influenced the referee in those two controversial calls that took place in the second half of Monday's game. He approached a referee at the end of the first half and, in short, said something along the lines of, "hey, watch what's happening." So the ref did and in the heat of the moment, made a couple of big calls that had a big impact on the game. Even bigger after we could see them in slow motion and everyone determined that they were bad calls. To be fair to everyone, we've watched those two plays over and over and over and many have concluded the same thing, however, no one has played any of the other 50-plus plays that might have been reason for Bakhtiari to sound the alarm.<br />
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So, laying all of that all out before you, was Bakhtiari's conversation poor sportsmanship or part of the game? How about the referees poor calls? Or even the no-calls that we're not examining? Where do we draw the line and how do we communicate it with our athletes and children?<br />
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Is influencing refs on controversial calls in bounds or out of bounds?<br />
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<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-88538125578105164572019-09-29T22:31:00.001-07:002019-09-30T05:29:18.909-07:00National Coffee DayToday was National Coffee Day in the US (and Canada). I stopped at Starbucks in Hudson to indulge in a Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Cream. It's been my go-to at Starbucks as of late. Liz is keen to the seasonal Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. Yes, both drinks scream big franchise chain coffee, but they're delicious. Which is why we spend so much money on coffee these days.<br />
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I wrote a blog 10 years ago about making the decision to start drinking coffee. <a href="http://kjblackcooks.blogspot.com/2009/10/volunteering-and-drinking-coffee.html" target="_blank">Here's the link</a> if you're interested... I wasn't a coffee drinker and the social buzz around coffee was still in its infancy. Nothing like it is today. I didn't like the taste of coffee, so I masked it with sugars and creams and predicted that I'd acquire a taste for it like my grandma told me adults do.<br />
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Since writing that blog 10 years ago, I've become somewhat of a "coffee snob" and more sophisticated than I did in my pre-coffee years.<br />
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I've probably had a majority of my coffee at big franchises like Starbucks or Caribou, however, I enjoy most those quaint little coffee houses that roast their own beans, make their own syrups and carefully craft every drink on the menu. I've had some dandies and thought I'd take a stab at my 10 most memorable cups of coffee in the last 10 years. Disclaimer: I don't know how to give coffee reviews and I'm a legit poser when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of coffee (although I've watch a few documentaries). The coffee listed below is a real list of the drinks that pop into my head when I think of the best coffee I've ever had. Nothing more.<br />
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1. The best cup of coffee that I've ever had, hands down, came from <a href="https://www.dixoncoffeecompany.com/" target="_blank">Dixon Coffee Company</a> in Rapid City, SD. A few years ago, we took the long way home from Colorado Springs so we could see Mt. Rushmore. Liz and I spotted a cute little coffee truck in the parking lot of a grocery store with a long line, so we gave it a shot. I ordered a caramel latte and she went with a vanilla latte with half the syrup. It could have been a combination of many things other than the coffee, but we still talk about those drinks and long to go back to Rapid City for Dixon's.<br />
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2. Last summer the World Team Trials were in Raleigh, NC and our hotel was two blocks from <a href="http://www.jubalacoffee.com/" target="_blank">Jubala Coffee</a>. I stopped there several times in the three days that I was there and was introduced to an unforgettable coffee and lemonade concoction that changed my outlook on summer drinks for the entire Summer of 2019.<br />
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3. We make regular trips to Prescott, WI to visit our favorite local coffee shop - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/twistedoakcoffee/" target="_blank">Twisted Oak</a>. I've had many great experiences there with my bride and others who visit us. My drink of choice is the Paul Bunyan. It's a latte with organic maple syrup.<br />
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4. Liz and I had a special date night a few months ago and went to Minneapolis and tried a fun little restaurant. After the meal, we walked through the city and enjoyed being sans children and we got some late night coffee at <a href="https://spyhousecoffee.com/" target="_blank">Spyhouse Coffee</a> on Nicollet Ave. I ordered their signature "Spygirl." It was a delicious lavender and vanilla latte (with almond milk).<br />
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5. I will include another Spyhouse drink on my list because we went with several others, including our boys. I thought outside the box and got their advertised special with golden turmeric and oat milk. It was interesting and I enjoyed it.<br />
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6. Just last week we ventured around Minneapolis and found a <a href="https://www.peacecoffee.com/" target="_blank">Peace Coffee</a> cafe in Wonderland Park. I chose their seasonal option called the Harvest Moon Latte. It was a latte with brown sugar and pureed squash with almond milk and some additional spices. It was incredible. I've already recommended it to others and will be going back soon.<br />
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7. We visited Alaska two years ago and drove a few hours outside of Anchorage and made a stop in Talkeetna to try the famous Spinach Bread. Liz and I were more excited about the breakfast burrito that was on their menu. Next to that Airstream food truck was Conscious Coffee. They jammed a ton of character in that little building and made a great drink for us, especially for a rainy morning.<br />
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There are a few international memories, too:<br />
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8. A few years ago we stayed at the national training center in Paris, France called <a href="https://insep.fr/" target="_blank">INSEP</a>. This little coffee experience makes the list because it's memorable, not because it was a good cup of coffee. One of my athletes encouraged me to purchase a little espresso for 1 Euro. It came in a paper shot glass-sized cup and was the strongest taste of anything I'd every put on my lips. Needless to say, I didn't finish the 2 ounce drink. I set it on the desk in my room and I took a nap. When I woke up, the gasoline-like espresso had eaten through the paper cup.<br />
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9. If you ever get the opportunity to try traditional Turkish coffee, it's a must. The World Championships were in Istanbul in 2011 and we drank a lot of Turkish coffee at little street side cafes (along with "street meat"). They grind the beans very small and brew it with sugar. I'm pretty sure the beans remain in the coffee when you drink it. It's a special texture and extra frothy. Good stuff.<br />
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10. I have to "name drop" the Olympics in this post because there was a very small coffee option outside the venue in Rio called <span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cafeleao/" target="_blank">Café Leão</a>.</span> It was a unique specialty coffee brand launched by McDonalds in Brazil. It was the only place that I could find coffee besides the Nescafe truck next to my apartment. It was actually very good and a fun little portable coffeehouse.<br />
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There are more, of course, especially <a href="https://duluthcoffeecompany.com/" target="_blank">Duluth Coffee Company</a> and the several in Colorado Springs (<a href="https://switchbackroasters.com/" target="_blank">Switchback</a>) or Fargo (<a href="http://www.beansfargo.com/" target="_blank">Beans</a> serves each drink with a mini doughnut). Liz and I were excited about <a href="https://colectivocoffee.com/" target="_blank">Colectivo</a> in Madison last weekend, too. I try to collect stickers from all of these coffee shops along with the memories. I'm still on the hunt for my first cup of kopi luwak. I'm sure that one will get its own blog. Coffee has been a new and exciting part of our lives and we enjoy the camaraderie mixed in with the mystery of trying new drinks and places.<br />
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Happy National Coffee Day. FYI, October 1st is "International Coffee Day."<br />
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<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-50341596735919664002019-09-28T22:50:00.004-07:002019-09-28T22:50:45.915-07:00Building a Culture That Values PeopleI stumbled across this list in my notes. It was posted on Coaches Toolbox.net and the site gave credit to J.P. Nerbun.<br />
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1. Be authentic and vulnerable with your team.<br />
2. Read and journal together as a team.<br />
3. Stop using conditioning as a punishment.<br />
4. Use boundaries and consequences to develop self-discipline.<br />
5. Give your athletes a voice at every opportunity.<br />
6. Stop chasing talent and invest in grit.<br />
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<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-71962274304797412332019-09-27T22:17:00.001-07:002019-09-27T22:17:33.441-07:00College Freshmen, Choose Your Path WiselyIt's been one month since brand new college students moved into their dorm rooms on campuses all over the US. The first few weeks go quickly as these young and men and women enjoy their many new found freedoms. Now, one month in, everyone begins to find themselves establishing new routines.<br />
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In the opening month of college, incoming freshmen are flooded with opportunities to be involved in a variety of student organizations and groups. With excitement and curiosity, they give some a try and once in a while some of them stick.<br />
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I was heavily involved with Athletes In Action while I was in college. I wore many hats within the Christian athlete ministry. Each start of the school year, we would put together freshmen welcome bags and distribute them during "welcome week." Several new student-athletes would check the box on the information card that said they were interested in knowing more about AIA, so our leadership group would divide names and follow-up with those interested.<br />
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One thing I remember most about welcome week was the value of making others feel included. We knew that a freshman student would likely chooses his/her spiritual path within the first month on campus. We had a short window to help those fresh faces make their faith a priority. For many, that first month set the trajectory for their spiritual involvement for their entire college years.<br />
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This is why today is so important to those college freshman. It's been one month on campus. Time is up. That first month has passed and routines are established and priorities are being revealed. For some, their personal faith journey didn't make it high on the priority list and it's not part of their routine. Their college years will fly by and soon they'll wake-up as graduating seniors having missed out on critical years of growing in their faith.<br />
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This blog post today is my big attempt to encourage those new college students to make their faith a priority. Check the box that says you're interested in hearing more about Athletes In Action, FCA, Cru, Intervarsity, Navigators or the Bible Study in your dorm room. Don't cut it out of your life because you just never got around to it that first month of your college experience. Reply to that text message or answer the phone call or e-mail from that person who is following-up about your interest.<br />
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The path you choose leads to a destination. Choose it wisely.Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-18087860519295022842019-09-26T21:59:00.003-07:002019-09-26T22:08:07.844-07:00Transition Wrestling is "Badass"<b>"You either walk inside your story and own it, or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness." </b>- Brene Brown.<br />
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Gabrielle Lord-Klein took on a big adventure because she saw a big need. She also had a very big burden. As a former college athlete and women's wrestling coach, she saw a growth opportunity for the advancement of women's wrestling: the media. Like many, she was frustrated by the lack of coverage. Instead of begging other media outlets to do more for women, she owned her story and started a website. Now, she reports on the most up-to-date women's college wrestling stories and has quickly become the go-to resource for breaking news.<br />
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You can find <a href="http://www.transitionwrestling.com/" target="_blank">Transition Wrestling</a> on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and everywhere else you'd expect to see women's wrestling news.<br />
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Coaching changes and new programs have been the most relevant stories on Transition Wrestling until this week when she broke the news that the <a href="https://www.transitionwrestling.com/ncaa-womens-wrestling-programs-to-compete-at-exclusive-championship-event/" target="_blank">NCAA women's wrestling programs will have an opportunity to compete at an exclusive championship event</a>. <br />
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Through Transition Wrestling, Gabby is moving the needle in the women's wrestling scene and this most recent article could very well put her into an entirely new realm of women's wrestling coverage. A media outlet like this is exactly what women's college wrestling has been starving for - someone from the trenches investigating and representing thousands of female wrestlers.<br />
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Transition Wrestling is raw and real. It's a passionate and powerful female stepping up and doing what no one else is doing. And she's doing it on her own. Her vulnerability magnifies her impact. She's not a traditional journalist. There's no man introducing her. She not piggy backing off someone else's platform. She knows who she is and where she's from and is jumping into unfamiliar territory in order to give others hope and a voice that can be heard.<br />
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Brene Brown also said, "when I see people stand fully in their truth, or when I see someone fall down, get back up and say, '<i>Damn. That really hurt, but this is important to me and I'm going in again</i>' - my gut reaction is, '<i>What a badass</i>.'" That pretty much sums up Gabby.<br />
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<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-45678717056439943682019-09-26T04:52:00.004-07:002019-09-26T05:04:54.494-07:00Performing Under Pressure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember the scene in <i>Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves</i> when Robin of Locksley (Kevin Costner) was teaching his new friends how to use a bow and arrow and asked, "can you perform under pressure?" He had been instructing them on how to accurately shoot an arrow at a fixed target. When they demonstrated that they had mastered the skill, Robin tickled one of them on the ear with a feather causing him to lose concentration and send the arrow off into the surrounding woods. He explained that in the heat of battle, there are distractions all around and performing a skill to perfection is useless unless it can be done under pressure. Then Robin demonstrated the concentration necessary to block out all distractions as his students made as much noise as possible. He had honed his skills so he could execute in all situations...except for the gentle distraction from Maid Marian.<br />
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As coaches, we must be able to teach athletes to perform skills at the most optimal time. When your athlete is tired and in a pressure situation, can he or she execute the technique that you have focused on during practice? Remember, in the moment of truth, it's not about perfectly executing technique; it's about delivering under pressure most efficiently and effectively.<br />
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We use a blueprint that includes seven levels of development in learning skills. It's not enough to just show a technique to athletes and give them time to repeat it. It must be learned and then tested in several ways to be done during competition. Unfortunately, many coaches stop at the first or second level. However, to be successful, we must <i>practice the performance</i> at the following seven levels:<br />
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<b>Level 1 - Learn the Skill</b> - create a positive learning environment where athletes want to learn and are engaged with the process. This is when the technique is broken down mechanically. It's the "how it's done stage." Like the ABC's and 123's.<br />
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<b>Level 2 - Master the Skill</b> - repetition, regular practice and quality feedback are essential. Muscle memory is the goal. In order to repeat a skill, an athlete must first know and comprehend the skill from Level 1.<br />
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<b>Level 3 - Perform the Skill at Competition Pace</b> - athletes learn skills at a controlled speed, however, the pace is much greater in competition and development must account for this difference. Proficiency from Levels 1 and 2 are essential.<br />
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<b>Level 4 - Perform the Skill When Tired</b> - the result of many contests is determined in the final seconds, so it's essential that athletes perform skills very well in the final 5% of the contest when they're tired, dehydrated, glycogen depleted with heavy legs and lead feet. Fatigue impacts the quality of execution, so creating practice situations that demand excellence in execution when tired is critical if we hope to see athletes do it in competition.<br />
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<b>Level 5 - Perform the Skill When it Matters </b>- training with a sense of urgency and demonstrating technical excellence under pressure is a learned behavior. Many athletes crumble under pressure because they haven't developed the capacity to handle it. Practices should be challenging and demanding so athletes learn how to "find a way."<br />
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<b>Level 6 - Battle Ready</b> - athletes must be consistent in their training and development of skills. Too many athletes have a separate training mentality and competition mentality. The best carry with them a "no compromise" attitude while training that is similar to the competition mindset.<br />
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<b>Level 7 - Battle Tested</b> - when all the chips are on the table and the athlete is tired, his/her preparation, development, and training must give him/her an edge. Their skills must be consistent in competition conditions.<br />
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These seven levels must be carefully planned and implemented in order to get the most out of athletes and help them be prepared to succeed in competition. The levels build on themselves. Ask yourself if you're preparing athletes to only be great technicians or to use championship skills during high stakes competition.<br />
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The scene in <i>Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves</i> mentioned above is an example of how the seven levels are implemented into development and training. If athletes aim to perform their best at the most optimal time, they must consider everything and their coaches need to account for everything as they improve their skills.<br />
<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-28008087879486139642019-09-24T20:57:00.004-07:002019-09-24T20:57:56.734-07:00Goodbye 30'sI only have a couple of hours left in my 30's. Tomorrow I will officially be Over the Hill. At this time, I have nothing planned for tomorrow other than getting the boys on the bus and writing a blog before I go to bed.<br />
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I remember precisely when I turned 30. I was in Herning, Denmark at the World Championships. Since that day, I've had a lot of ups and downs. My body was mostly sore the entire decade, although I've reorganized a few things and changed my diet, so I'm certain the next decade will feel much better.<br />
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I had a couple of kids in my 30's (one in my late 20's). We lived in the same house and cycled through several vehicles in those 10 years. I've done some coaching, career changes, world and local traveling, a few family vacations and over half the decade without Mountain Dew.<br />
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We entered into the elementary school world and sleep overs for our children. We also bought a pop-up tent trailer and have been down a lot of water slides. We've watched a lot of Netflix and kid's shows. And House Hunter.<br />
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The best part of my 30's is falling more in love with Liz and our love overflowing into our children and welcoming other people's children into our lives and home. It's sure made things interesting.<br />
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My apologies to those who read this blog today looking for a thought or two on an important topic. See ya later, 30.Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-76358790839458178462019-09-23T20:21:00.003-07:002019-09-23T20:21:59.037-07:00I'm coldI have a few little "nuggets" that I like to share whenever the opportunity comes up with students, athletes and anyone else. If I hear someone under my guidance say, "it's cold in here," I step in to share an important life lesson. Well, at least that's what I believe it to be. The truth is a very small percentage of people internalize the message. Most of them roll their eyes.<br />
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Instead of saying, "it's cold," one should say, "I'm cold." <i>It's cold</i> assumes that things are out of your control. It's a victim mentally. <i>I'm cold </i>comes from a place of power or personal responsibility and ownership.<br />
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It might be cold, however, we have the control to layer up or move around a bit. We should always look for ways to increase personal responsibility and own our situations.<br />
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Next time you're feeling a little chilly, try saying, "I'm cold" and taking responsibility for your life and refrain from seeing yourself as a victim. It's a very small thing that could have much bigger implications. <br />
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Change your words and it will change your life.<br />
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<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-72070595141811423112019-09-23T04:22:00.002-07:002019-09-23T04:23:20.930-07:00I appreciate it vs. thank youI had a bit of an ah-ha moment today in the car as Liz and I were discussing many topics during a 4-hour drive from Madison to River Falls. We were brainstorming ways to help our kids understand how to be grateful and it brought us through several past encounters throughout our lives.<br />
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I reached the conclusion that being appreciative and grateful aren't the same. Saying, "I appreciate you" and "thank you" are different and come from different places.<br />
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Gratitude comes from humility. <i>Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less</i>. In other words, thinking of others. Saying thank you is directed towards another person and is about them.<br />
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In most cases, "I appreciate it" is not about another person. It's actually about the person who "appreciates." It's like staking a claim or sharing an opinion. In some cases, entitled individuals choose the words, "I appreciate..." because it's self-focused. It takes humility to say "thank you" and to refrain from telling the other what you think or feel. "I appreciate..." is sharing your own thoughts. "Thank you" is directed to another. One is about yourself and the other is about others. Just like entitlement vs. gratitude.<br />
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Now, before you get all bent out of shape. Telling someone you appreciate them is wonderful and can filled with gratitude. However, choosing those words instead of thank you can say a lot about us. Thank you requires a little more vulnerability. Hence, it comes from humility. Humility cannot be faked and, as a result, neither can gratitude. Appreciation has the potential to be disingenuous.<br />
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One of the many great things about an attitude of gratitude is that it makes everyone better. It makes the person who is gracious feel more complete and whole. It gives him or her an extra bounce in their step.<br />
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Here's my challenge: do you consider the difference when you say "I appreciate you" or "I appreciate it" compared to "thank you?" Why is it more difficult to say thank you? Our word selections make a world of a difference. "In all things, give thanks" - 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Will you choose gratitude and use those two little words?<br />
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<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-55087375278078125522019-09-21T23:23:00.001-07:002019-09-23T04:24:29.684-07:00Buroughs winning another medal is very impressiveI think American fans take for granted how special it is for Jordan Burroughs to win a medal at the World Championships (and Olympic Games) year after year. Every generation of athlete faces unique obstacles that makes their success even more impressive. For Burroughs to get on the podium, he has to beat a ton of Russians working together to beat him.<br />
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It's a peculiar situation. The former Soviet Union has a lot of great wrestling countries. Not very long ago, most of those athletes would not have been eligible to participate in the championships. This year, six of the top 11 teams are former Soviet countries (1. Russia, 3. Kazakhstan, 5. Georgia, 9. Azerbaijan, 11. Uzbekistan). The increased number of countries with great wrestling traditions and athletes is good for the sport.<br />
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What isn't good for the sport is that many of the wrestlers on those teams don't actually train in those countries. In fact, they're not from them at all. It's complicated for, let's say, a Georgian athlete who might have grown up across the border and wrestled at a club with his buddies and then ended up representing different countries. Most of that is actually acceptable. I don't even think it's outrageous for Russian countries to share athletes because, after all, a lot of those countries are still "unified" in many ways. Growing up in Dagestan or North Ossetia and competing for Russia or Uzbekistan or Georgia or another former Soviet country makes sense. For example, Georgy Ketoev was born in Tbilisi, Georgia and won a world title and Olympic bronze for Russia then became a naturalized citizen of Armenia and won an Olympic bronze for them.<br />
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Heck, in the 2000 Olympics, David Musulbes (Russia) defeated Artur Tamayzov (Uzbekistan) in the gold medal match and they were both from North Ossetia. That's confusing to Americans, however, it's more complicated than we think. Like mentioned above, the former unified countries are still pretty unified. But what about Bahrain, Hungary, France and several others? Why do they have wrestlers from Dagestan on their rosters at the World Championships?<br />
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I think it's ludicrous that Burroughs has to beat several Russian athletes wrestling for other countries. It's the real life Ivan Drago scenario played out in several matches. Legend says that when Dan Gable was competing, the Soviet Union tried to find the perfect combination of skills wrapped up in one wrestler who could take out Gable at the Olympic Games. It didn't work and wrestling fans believe the Ivan Drago character in Rocky IV is based on the pursuit to beat Gable. Today, all of the skills needed to be competitive in a match against Burroughs are distributed to a few wrestlers from the Caucasus Mountains who wear the colors of a different country. Currently, the Drago idea looks more like sending kryptonite to a bunch of countries in order to get more chances on the mat to beat Burroughs (Superman). And if not beat him, at the least wear him out before the showdown with Russia. The percentages to beat Burroughs are much higher when you have more chances to put him through the gauntlet compared to everything being wrapped up in one person. The old way didn't work to beat Gable or Burroughs, but the new scheme is proving to be more taxing on Burroughs than any of us can imagine. <br />
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This year, Burroughs had to take a beating from a very skilled wrestler from Belarus in the first round, just squeaking out a gutsy win. Then it was a professional MMA athlete in his second match. Yes, literally a fighter. Murad Kuramagomedov is a pro fighter from Dagestan who competes internationally as a wrestler for Hungary. This is proving to be a great way for Russia to beat up on Burroughs <i>before</i> their star Zaurbek Sidakov gets his shot. It took a final second push out for Sidakov to beat Burroughs in the semis yesterday. I'm certain the three Russians he had to beat to get there played a large part in those closing seconds. To be fair, the Belarus and Azerbaijan athletes appear to actually be from those countries, which are both former Soviet countries.<br />
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What can be done about this? I'm not sure anything can be. If a country is fine with an organized state-sponsored doping program, they'll do whatever they can to accomplish their goals. Shifting a few athletes around seems to be the most effective way to chip away at Burroughs. This is why his 8-consecutive years on the podium is so impressive.<br />
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<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-52929338577953770172019-09-20T21:20:00.000-07:002019-09-20T21:20:25.486-07:00Don't Overcook It - A Training AnalogyThe Senior World Championships are currently taking place and the best wrestlers in the world are at their peak performance levels. The rest of the world is in some version of the preseason. <br />
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College athletes are training with a purpose in the weight room, conditioning and even finding some mat time. High school wrestlers are playing fall sports and jumping into some open mat practices and/or attending club practices. Youth wrestlers might even be doing a few club practices. Regardless of the age, this is the preseason and should be treated accordingly.<br />
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Championships and titles are a culmination of the entire year (preseason, in season and post season) and each season should have a specific desired outcome. Being at your best at the optimal time cannot be accomplished in the preseason, however, not being able to reach your peak when it matters can be the result of mismanaging the preseason.<br />
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I'll give you a cooking analogy to explain this point.<br />
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No matter what method is used, a cook always runs the risk of overcooking meat. No one really likes to eat meat that is overcooked. Individual preference varies in how we enjoy steak on every level below overcooked. Once overcooked, you cannot go back and un-cook the meat. However, you can always undercook meat and choose to re-heat it many different ways.<br />
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The same is true about training and it's better for everyone to lean towards undercooked rather than overcooked. Of course, "just right" is what's desired for each season and that can be very different for each athlete and program.<br />
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The coach and athlete's objectives should be clear during the preseason. Executing technique with championship timing and wrestlers feeling like they're ready to win the state or national tournament shouldn't be part of the equation. Yes, you're making investments so these come true at the right time, but preseason isn't the right time. The attention to skills should be about the mechanics (how the technique works) and essentially building a base. Over-training in the preseason can sneak up on athletes and have repercussions at "tournament time" that are irreversible. The preseason should always leave an athlete wanting more.<br />
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Athletes can push themselves to the limit during workouts and still be in a good situation. Usually, athletes under-recover before they over-train. Spacing workouts so the body heals and the mind feels good about the process can lead an athlete to feeling anxious and antsy for more. That's how a preseason should conclude. Athletes should end the preseason still hungry and, essentially, undercooked so you can keep the heat on to finish the product at the right time. Once you overcook it, you cannot go back.<br />
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Have caution during the preseason. Get to work and be intentional about your training while keeping an eye on how much heat you're applying. If you undercook, you can always turn up the heat. If you overcook, you're past done. So, be mindful. Some of us need to take it out of the oven.<br />
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Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-32024812287447307052019-09-20T07:38:00.000-07:002019-09-20T07:38:51.619-07:00A few technique observations from WorldsThe women's division will be concluding shortly and the men will be center stage for the next few days. Greco-Roman wrestling was contested the first three days of the tournament. The women followed and the final three days of the event will be men's freestyle.<br />
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I watched every single match in women's freestyle and will break things down on my own more later, however, there were a few very important things that I saw that we have to remember. First of all, good position and consistent pressure wins wrestling matches. Wrestling is complicated, but we make it much more complicated than it needs to be. Basic skills are the most important skills. Single leg attacks (usually with the head inside and finishing from the feet), short offense/front headlock scores, step outs...hand fighting and head fighting, hand and foot motion...these are the things that must be focused on most as they lead to the most success at the highest levels.<br />
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Certainly, wrestling is exciting when people are taking great risk and "throwing haymakers." There's a place for creative and complex skills, for sure. And it's important to be well rounded and have a lot of tools in your box. However, those things are the spice or the season. The main course is the most basic skills ("7 basic skills of wrestling"). Successful and sustainable wrestling careers are built on the main course. If you live on spice, you'll impede your own growth and development.<br />
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I say these things that seem obvious because those basic skills are lacking across the US. I attend youth, middle school, high school, college, and international events and it goes without saying that the higher the level, the better the basic skills. On the flip side, the younger the competitors are, the more "fluff" and "flash" leads to success. I think it's irresponsible for programs to operate on low level skills that brings low level success (youth).<br />
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I could write for days on this topic as it's something I'm very passionate about, but you understand what I'm saying. So, here is a small list of a few things that I have NOT seen at the world championships in 3-plus days of freestyle wrestling. Watch the archives of the women or the men over the next few days and let me know if I'm wrong, please.<br />
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<li><b>Chest lock + kick over</b> - to be clear, I did see a lot of chest locks and expect to at the highest levels. Add the kick over and scoring points just doesn't happen. This is one of my biggest gripes with young athletes. The number one defense for a double leg attack needs to be stuffing the head and getting legs back. Trying to kick your opponent over when you're going to the mat is a good way to guarantee your opponent 4-points. It spills over a little bit from Folkstyle because it can lead to something good. There is probably less than 1% chance of it ending well in freestyle.</li>
<li><b>Head in the hole</b> - I'm just getting on the bandwagon of keeping your head high/centered and moving to a finish when your opponent's head is under your chest, so I was watching with a critical eye. I was surprised that I didn't see a single front headlock finished with the head in the hole and circling around the near ankle. I'm perplexed because I still want to believe that this is a good technique, low risk and generally successful if done well. Yet, it just doesn't occur at the highest levels. Personally, I love the head in the hole for our high school boys, so I'm struggling to cut it out of our arsenal. I need to do more research on this one.</li>
<li><b>Cement-mixer</b> - Gator rolls, front headlock rolls, etc. all fall into this category. In Northwest Wisconsin, we call the technique of a side roll with a front headlock and twisting into a half Nelson a "cement-mixer." It's an intimidating middle school and high school technique for a strong kid. Non-existent at the highest levels.</li>
<li><b>Forearm on the knee on single leg finish</b> - several wrestlers drill this finish ad nauseam and many in our room hear me correct them immediately because it's a lazy habit. The intention is to hammer the side or backside of the knee with your forearm in order to turn the opponent away from you. It seems logical, however, I simply do not see it successfully executed in competition. It works in a drill practice setting because the wrestlers are not going live. My response to a wrestler who insists on it is: "show me your data."</li>
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We did see a few fun and exciting risk-taking moves that have stood the test of time. They're very calculated, though. Left-handed headlocks, leg whips/back trips and a few others. There were even a few spladdle <i>attempts</i>. We also saw a lot of fireman's, which were taboo only a few years ago, and now head in the middle leg laces. It is important for youth wrestlers to learn as many techniques as possible so they're well-rounded, well-versed, and have mat and situational awareness. So, don't eliminate them, but train the basics to be the best.</div>
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In our lives, we cannot take things for granted (especially in youth sports). Are we doing what we're doing because it's the way it's always been done? Or are we doing what's best? In sport, are we really interested in long-term, sustainable success or the flavor of the month? You have to watch the absolute best wrestlers in the world to know what the best wrestling is.<br />
<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-77599967425426001902019-09-18T09:34:00.002-07:002019-09-18T09:34:58.127-07:00Remembering Kindness in Wisconsin RapidsI'm in Wisconsin Rapids this week doing the commentary for the World Championships from inside the TrackWrestling studio. We sit in front of a green screen, so it looks like we're in Kazakhstan, but we're indeed in Rapids. Every time I'm in Wisconsin Rapids, my mind is flooded with wrestling memories. I'm sure many of you can relate.<br />
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Our high school wrestling team had some battles with Wisconsin Rapids in the 90's. They were the object of our focus when it came to setting team goals and it's easy to revel in those glory days. We were determined to stop their run of consecutive state titles and win our school's very first team state title. We had some great teams and even though we were close on a few occasions, we never pulled it off.<br />
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Coach Brandvold was obsessed with figuring out a way to dethrone the champions. He schemed and adjusted the line-up the best he could and we sure knew the ins and outs of those Rapids teams in the 90's (all pre-TrackWrestling, by the way...ironic). Coach knew it would be important to see them in December and attended their home dual tournament. It gave us an opportunity to get up close with our rivals and every little detail mattered. He left no stone unturned and neither did Coach Lewie Benitz. I learned a lot about being a coach by watching those two prepare for battle. Brandvold always stepped off the distance between the mat and the chairs before our dual with Rapids started because he was convinced Lewie had sneaky ways of gaining an advantage. One year, our chairs were 12-feet from the mat and their chairs were 8-feet from the mat despite what the rule book stated. An honest mistake, right? There was a time we had one of their studs dead to rights on his back and an inadvertent buzzer forced the official to blow the whistle that forced a re-start from the referees position. Another honest mistake, right?<br />
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On top of the team memories, I have a plethora of individual memories in this town. I first competed here at the Freestyle State Tournament when I was in 4th grade and I finished in 6th place. I lost my very first [freestyle] match by technical fall to Nick Malanche in 12 seconds and I'm still upset with getting pinned in a "cow catcher" by a kid from Viroqua for 5th place. He dug his long finger nails into my side and left claw marks that went with my tears. It took me a few years to figure out how to be competitive in freestyle and I finally won my first freestyle state title as a Cadet in 8th grade. I beat two high school state qualifiers in that tournament and also had my first 5-point throw when I stood up with a double leg, hooked an elbow and back arched. That weekend alone gave me the confidence to set the goal of being a high school state champion the next year as a freshman.<br />
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Throughout my middle and high school wrestling career, I developed a friendly rivalry with Justin Tritz. He founded TrackWrestling and I'm working alongside him this week. We had a couple of showdowns right in Rapids at freestyle state and also had an important match in the Kohl Center's first year of holding the WIAA state tournament our senior year. I was chasing my 4th title and he was on a "vision quest." That was over 20 years ago and people still like to ask questions and reminisce with me. All of those are great memories (I probably enjoy them more than he does ;) ).<br />
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All competition aside, the thing I sincerely remember most about Wisconsin Rapids is the kindness from the athletes, parents and coaching staff that we received every time we came to town. There's no doubt, they thought about us daily just like we were thinking about them. Brandvold pushed Lewie to be his best the same way Tritz pushed me to be my best. Through it all, there was mutual respect and genuine kindness all around.<br />
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We attended their team dual tournament my senior year and after a long bus ride in inclement weather, we were a bit late for weigh-ins. I showed up to the check scale slightly over weight. Lewie made sure I had a place to workout and made sure the weigh-in process lasted as long it could so I could make weight. He wanted us at our best and it showed me a genuine gentleness that wasn't always seen in the heat of competition. He was a fierce competitor, but is also a very good man. He always treated my dad well as the site host of the WWF State Tournaments and they developed a strong friendship. I also appreciate how well he treated my mom.<br />
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The wrestling tradition is very strong in Wisconsin Rapids and their program is on the rise. So is ours. I'm finding myself scouting them in anticipation of future individual and possible team match-ups with big implications. Team Sectionals will be in River Falls this season and it's possible that Rapids will come to our gym with a lot on the line (both teams would need to win the regional tournament to set-up the dual meet to qualify for Team State). Additionally, Individual Sectionals are in Wisconsin Rapids, so many of our current athletes will begin creating memories of their own from this old mill town on the Wisconsin River. It sure would be sweet if they could reminisce in 20-plus years with great memories.<br />
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<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-46408697916975351512019-09-17T21:16:00.001-07:002019-09-17T21:16:21.131-07:00Worlds Day 5We're about ready to begin day 5 of the Senior World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. I'm reporting on the women's wrestling portion of the tournament for TrackWrestling. It's 11:00 PM here in the studio, but we're treating it like 11:00 AM tomorrow. Our internal clocks are a little out of commission right now. We're plowing through, though.<br />
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The American women performed well yesterday and are set-up to have another good day. Log in to watch the footage live on TrackWrestling. Feel free to communicate throughout the broadcast with us through social media or text messages. That helps keep our tanks filled and our engines rolling.<br />
<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-60125427230563308322019-09-17T01:59:00.002-07:002019-09-17T01:59:48.160-07:00Worlds Day 4The World Championships are taking place in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. I'll be doing the commentary for the [senior] women's division on TrackWrestling. We'll be doing the "Scramble Cam" - four mats played simultaneously.<br />
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I'm fortunate to be able to do the commentating from a studio in Wisconsin Rapids rather than inside Bay Arena halfway across the world. I'm doing the reporting live, though, so my hours are going to be messed up this week (+12 hour difference).<br />
<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-42981763112843071952019-09-16T04:27:00.000-07:002019-09-16T04:28:36.755-07:00Quiet ContributorsCleaning out my garage and sifting through some bins, I came across some great articles from the <i>River Falls Journal</i>. <i>The Journal</i> and Bob Burrows did extensive coverage on the RFHS wrestling team on March 2, 2000. The Wildcats were making their 4th trip to the team state tournament and the support from the community was incredible. The 2000 team was very well-balanced and next to the 1997 team, it was probably the next best team, top to bottom, that Coach David Brandvold had in his career.<br />
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Many accolades from the individuals in the late 90's and early 2000's are on display in the basement of the middle school where the wrestlers get after it in the district's only wrestling room. The state titles and school records that were easy for Burrows to write about are still quite lively as bench marks for the next generations of Wildcats wrestlers.<br />
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Some of the words that were shared in <i>The Journal</i> almost 20 years ago don't have real estate on the wrestling room walls, however, they're equally as important as the medals that do.<br />
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Every successful team has unsung heroes, role players and tremendous support systems, including reliable quality practice partners. That's why I wanted to bring to light this article that I found stashed away.<br />
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I talked to Pete Kimball's father this morning at church and showed him this picture. He had fond memories of that team and his son's contributions. We talked about how important high school wrestling is to so many individuals who don't receive notoriety for their efforts. He said that wrestling had a big impact on Pete's life as much as anything else he'd done. It taught him how to fight for things and to overcome struggles. Wrestling is a constant struggle and he explained how Pete choosing to be a dairy farmer has presented a lot of struggles and he's been able to overcome many of them because of what he learned in wrestling.<br />
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I love the quiet contributor stories. I think they're the real pulse of high school sports. These type of individuals are the glue that define the culture and dynamics of each team. It's unfortunate that these stories aren't told more often, however, we all know they'd lose some value if they were talked about in the limelight. At their core, they're behind-the-scenes, quiet contributors and unsung heroes, but make no mistake, they ARE heroes.<br />
<br />Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-59665076336473485042019-09-14T22:18:00.001-07:002019-09-14T22:21:27.491-07:00The Mind, ExplainedNetflix has a new series called <i>The Mind, Explained</i>. I saw it listed while browsing for something short and interesting to watch. The idea of trying to understand what is going on inside our heads fascinates me.<br />
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The series briefly covers topics like anxiety, memory and others. Each episode focuses specifically on one of those topics for 20-minutes.<br />
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I thought it would be helpful in my quest to understand others and to tap into the mind of my athletes, students and those around me. As a coach, I try to develop the Total Athlete - body, mind and soul - so it made sense to choose <i>The Mind, Explained</i>.<br />
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Because of the length of each episode, the series only scratches the surface of complex topics. However, it's worth the time and I learned a few important things that I'll be able to apply and be aware of instantly.Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-74348320108559847062019-09-13T20:46:00.003-07:002019-09-13T20:46:33.568-07:00Boundaries for our kidsI had a long conversation today with a friend of mine who has three children just one step ahead of ours. We talked about expectations and boundaries for them and compared and contrasted to the ideals of other families. We both leaned heavy towards "conservative" and/or "traditional" ways of thinking in many cases...kind of old school in thought. Of course, the conversation began with youth sports, but it ventured into dating and other typical high school and middle school things. <br />
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My oldest is in 5th grade and I enjoy listening to parents talk about their journey in hopes that I'll be as ready as I can be for future situations. We've also had a few high school and college students live with us, so we've got a head start on some things.<br />
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We use modern and old school tactics to encourage our boys to do the right thing. The same is true when it comes to correcting behavior. We've had ups and downs like every family and we're still in the beginning stages of child rearing. With only one in double digits for age, we're all still pretty naive.<br />
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I'd like to hear what kind of expectations and boundaries you have for your children. For example, just based on our conversation starter today, how do you handle the youth sports scene? Do you expect your kid to finish the season no matter what (no quitting mid-season policy)? Do you have a plan for handling training and/or over-training, traveling, competitions, coaches, etc. or are you going with the flow?<br />
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How about when it comes to your children dating? Should there be age restrictions, social media/electronics monitoring, curfews, sleep overs, etc.?<br />
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What are some of the things that, no matter how hard I try, there's no way that I'll be prepared for what's to come? Based on your experiences, what advice do you have for parents?Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825798157056159523.post-8307987556166285362019-09-12T21:45:00.000-07:002019-09-12T21:45:06.121-07:00Beginner's PluckFor the last several years, a staple in my growth has been the Global Leadership Summit. It takes place every August and gathers leaders from all over the world that focus on becoming better. I've attended a satellite location in the Twin Cities and use it conclude my summer and jump start the next year. I gather my reading list and find incredible leaders to follow through blogs, podcasts and other outlets.<br />
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Liz Bohannon is the co-founder and owner of Sseko Design and a rising star in the leadership world. Her indelible talk at the GLS this year impacted many. Instead of a mic drop, she literally flew off the stage while borrowing a quote from the movie <i>Mighty Ducks</i> to conclude her talk.<i> </i> It was awesome. She was quite spirited and determined, which is the definition of the word she based her book on: <i>Beginner's Pluck</i>. <br />
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Bohannon released the book at the Summit, so I purchased two copies and have made the recommendation to several people. Unfortunately, the book is not officially available until October 1st, but you can pre-order it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. And I recommend that you do right away. Believe it or not, she's actually passing through Minneapolis on her book tour (October 23).<br />
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I took a few pages of notes during her talk and have re-watched it a few times on the GLS app. It's that good. Here is a fancy sketch of some key points from the GLS website:<br />
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What resonated most with me personally was the idea that people don't you to be their hero; they need you to help them to be the hero in their own story.</div>
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I'd enjoy hearing from others their thoughts on <i>Beginner's Pluck</i> and the work that Liz Bohannon is doing. She's a difference maker, that's for sure.</div>
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<a href="http://lizbohannon.co/beginners-pluck/">http://lizbohannon.co/beginners-pluck/</a></div>
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<b>*Pluck (n.) - spirited and determined courage.</b></div>
Kevin James Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441925380302108450noreply@blogger.com0