The 212 Speech

This morning we did a workout on the "Dam Stairs."  It's a staple workout at our camps.  It's less than a mile to the stairs made of railroad ties at the Lower Dam of the Kinnikinnick River.  There are 88 stairs in the woods leading down to the lower end of the river.  The stairs are unevenly spaced and it's long enough to the top that your legs are sure to burn a bit on each repetition. 

At the end of the run, we always give a version of the 212 speech - water boils at 212 degrees.  We talk about putting energy into making a change.  However, often times we’re close to that breakthrough or changing of states and stop (or quit) before.  We don’t know how close we are because 185 degrees and 210 degrees feel the same: hot.  Unfortunately, sometimes we’re right next to the breakthrough and stop not realizing how close we are.

So we have to remind ourselves to push until the change happens.  Believe the new state is a reality.  If we put enough into it.

Exclusive Camp - Girls Day 1

We have about 15 female athletes at our first girls Exclusive Camp.  We target our most committed athletes and take a weekend to focus on going deep in mindset and goal setting.  It’s similar to a retreat with intense workouts.

Our two off the mat sessions included creating a plan that reflects your goals and consistency matters.

As we continue to challenge our most committed wrestlers, we have to maintain consistency and focus on the plan.

How will you watch Final X?

Final X is tomorrow and we're set to watch it at a girl's wrestling camp at Victory School of Wrestling.  Our Girls Exclusive Camp is Friday through Sunday.  Athletes "camp" at Victory on the mats.

Obviously, we had hoped to be in the event with a few athletes, but that's not how it worked out for us this season.  Now we'll watch both rounds between sessions at camp.

We've had the opportunity to watch high level wrestling at camps in the past and it has always been a great experience for the campers.  We've watched the Olympic Games the past two cycles on the projector at Victory and have gathered to watch the World Championships, too.  Obviously, it's always best when we have an athlete (or more) competing in these big events.  We have several connections to many of those competing tomorrow.

Watching these events with others, especially people who have competed in and/or coached in them, gives so many unique perspectives in one area. 

The first round is tomorrow at 2:00 PM and the second round is at 5:00 PM.  What are your plans for Final X?

Guest Post: JD's Reflection from Camp

An important note from JD from the Ben Kjar Standout camp on June 15, 2006:

Ben Kjar shared a lot of wrestling techniques and mental skills.  His formula for setting goals is called, "Calling Your Shot."

1. Call Your Shot: write down your goal

2. Shot Callers: name 2-3 people who will hold you accountable - coaches, teammates, parents, etc.

3. Shot Clock: set an expiration date for your goal or a date to achieve your goal

Pleasure and Pain: name rewards for achieving the goal and consequences for not achieving the goal.

Additional quote: don't be a Karen not calling your shots and not taking shots.

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JD is a recent graduate and will wrestle in college next season.

Guest Post: Ayda's Reflection from Camp

Ayda's review from the Ben Kjar Standout Camp at Victory School of Wrestling on June 15, 2006:

It was super cool!  Ben's story was so much more than just a wrestler or someone with Crouzon Syndrome.  He had so much adversity in life but has overcome all of it.  And it all made him a better person.

Through all of his struggles, he also kept a great relationship with his faith, which was super inspiring.

Overall, there were so many great takeaways from the camp, but two things he said during the wrestling practice stuck out to me the most.  One was to maximize every single day, which means get the most out of it, go the extra round, never give up, and control your attitude and effort.

The other is the person who gives up second in wrestling is the one who gets the score.

This camp opened my eyes to understanding how to truly set goals, also known as "call your shot" and it doesn't matter who your opponent is, it matters when and how you're going to maximize every scoring opportunity during the match and wrestle 100% the entire match.

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Ayda is 16 years old and will be a junior in high school.

Ben Kjar Camp

We finished the Ben Kjar Standout camp today.  It was great!  

We had a large number of participants and everyone "called their shot" (set goals, named accountability partners, and timed the goal.  There were so many take aways and we're confident that kids made decisions to level up.

I'll make a few more entries with some of the takeaways camp.  We need a day or two to be able to process things.

 

Championship Events

I challenged our high school wrestlers to be engaged with the sports scene this past week and weekend.  A lot is going on.  Just tonight was the Stanley Cup Finals and the UFC fights at the White House.  Recently, the NBA Finals, RAF, World Cup, and other events have taken place.

The best athletes will always be able to glean something from these big events.  And it's extremely important to recognize the opportunity for a new source of championship information.  

Last night after the Knicks won the NBA Finals, I heard the series MVP speak to his time alone in the gym visualizing a championship.  This week I heard both hockey teams talk about systems and buy in.  These were the best athletes or the best teams in the world competing on the highest stage and we hear basic principles.  Nothing fancy.  A goal, a plan, commitment, hard work, etc.  The same stuff we preach everyday.

Championship events will never get old for me.  I love soaking in the atmospheres and looking for the stories behind the story.