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Take “the Other” to Lunch

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Corey Winkoff

Elizabeth Lesser, a best selling author and founder of the Omega Institute, looks to move away from demonizing or criticizing those with different views from your own. Elizabeth says, “instead of talking about someone you might consider “the Other,” talk to that person.”

Lesser’s idea of taking “the Other” to lunch means having an elevated conversation with someone who has different views or beliefs. She mentions the importance of having a lunch that follows guidelines, such as, being curious, being real, listening, not persuading, and not defending. The purpose of this conversation is not to change ones views, but to better understand them.

Are you someone who plays sports? Then sit down for lunch with someone who would rather play an instrument.

Not an outdoors person? Each lunch outside with someone who is all about the environment.

Were you raised Catholic? How about breaking bread with someone Jewish.

Taking “the Other” to lunch isn’t just for adults. It’s a great opportunity for children in school or students in college to listen, connect, and network with “the Other.”

Learn more about Lesser’s idea of taking “the Other” to lunch by viewing her Ted Talk below:

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FLG Cribs – Devin Votta, Siena College

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Corey Winkoff

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Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Bob Schmitt

FLOW
by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

The central theme of this amazing work, is that people can improve almost any experience they may engage in (even something that normally may be seen as boring or unpleasant), by learning how to order their own consciousness. Csikszentmihalyi outlines ways to control your consciousness and thereby improve the quality of your life. He calls the truly satisfying state of consciousness, Flow. In terms of athletics, it reminds me of the often used term, “in the zone”.

He goes on to give examples of Flow Activities and the Conditions that must be present for Flow, to occur. These conditions are broken down into “Elements of Engagement”. They are listed here.

It must be a Challenging Activity that requires skills.
Action and Awareness must be combined. It requires your complete attention, and you become one with the activity.
It must have Clear Goals and give Feedback (this reminds me of a “wallball” session, if done well).
It requires Total Concentration on the Task at Hand. You must block out all else and be totally focused.
There is a Sense of Control. There is a calmness and lack of worry.
There is a Loss of Self-Consciousness. People are so focused on the activity, they are no longer pre-occupied with “self”.
Flow Activities are able to Transform Time. Many athletes, performers, artists etc., report losing track of time, during Flow Activities.

FLOW Chart

The Chart above shows the relationship between Challenges and the Skills required to meet those challenges. To get into the “Flow Channel” (or, “in the zone”), the Challenge Level must be met with the necessary amount of skills. As Challenges increase in difficulty, so too, the Skills Level must rise. If you have more Skills than required you will be bored. If the Challenge is too much for your Skill Level, you will be anxious. For “Optimal Experience” you want to be in the “Flow Channel”.

This is not an easy book to read. But like most good things, it is worth the work!

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The Meaning of Success

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Corey Winkoff

What makes a successful Public High School lacrosse Program.

1. Quality Youth Program. Youth Directors that understand the importance of everyone playing equal, building interest in the sport, and developing the fundamentals for the game.

2. Get as many kids to play in the community as possible. That 6th grader who just picked up a stick might be your next All-American at the High School level.

3. Don’t let your top kids go to Private school as they enter 9th grade. Know who your top Middle School athletes are and keep them in town.

4. Luck – sometimes it’s a matter of getting several stud classes in a row, getting the ball to bounce your way, or getting hot at the right time.

5. All year round commitment from a core group of players. Successful HS programs are working together each season. From summer tournaments to Bubble practices in the winter, it’s not just what you do in season any more.

6. Coaches who are all in. Top down process. If the coaches are invested, so to will be the community. Get quality coaches who care at all levels. Varsity, middle school, elementary, and primary. Every stage of development matters.

7. Skill. There are athletes in every town, it’s how you develop those athletes that sets you a part.

8. Community. Developing a sense of community is a part of building a successful program. Get the band involved in some games, fundraise for the program, get behind other Spring sports teams, support local business. Successful lacrosse programs know it’s not all about them.

9. Win the big game. There’s gonna be some games that everyone talks about. Some games that get a little more attention toon than others. Some games that are win or go home. Successful programs win tbe big game.

10. The Next Level. All successful programs have people there to support their athletes as they pursue their dreams at the next level. These people can be coaches, mentors, managers, volunteers, or guidance counselors. Success is more than the wins and loses. It’s about preparing athletes for life after High School.

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I Love Lax

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Corey Winkoff

Over the past two nights, I’ve had the pleasure of running clinics for Hauppauge’s youth lacrosse program. One of the things I love about coaching youth is being able to build that passion for the game. Creating a positive, fun, and energetic atmosphere gives studletes a chance to be themselves, and love the sport.

Working along side Coach Bob and Diana Schmidt over the past two nights, we not only coached up the boys and girls, we learned from them as well. What a highly energetic, fun, and talented group of young studletes. We laughed as much as we competed, creating a great place to play, learn, and develop. Below are some take-always I got from some classic boys and girls…

“I’m not sure if you know this, but the most athletic player on the field is the goalie.” -The Only Goalie at Clinic

“While my name is Reese, and my T-shirt says Reese’s, I actually don’t like to eat Reese’s” -Reese

“The best hour is the 8pm hour.” -Lax Enthusiast right before start of 8pm session

“My goggles are leaving lines on my forehead, I’m gonna go right ahead and take them off.” -Kindergartner

“I’m wearing pajamas, because today was pajama day, mahhhhh.” -Kindergartner

“Doesn’t this thing end at 7:15?” -3rd grader 15 minutes prior to the clinic ending

“I like dogs.” -5th grader

“I like frogs.” -6th grade girl

“I love lax” -Girl who picked up a stick for the first time tonight

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Competitive Greatness

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Bob Schmitt

John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success

The final Building Block in Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, is Competitive Greatness. Great Competitors relish great challenges. The more difficult something is, the harder you have to work to achieve it, making it that much more satisfying when you do. If you have the rest of the Building Blocks in place, you will be able to find your competitive greatness.

Wooden is not talking about winning. He is referring to the exhilaration you feel when you have faced something that has challenged your “mind, body and spirit”. When you are able to muster all that is required to meet such a challenge, you have succeeded.

At the Apex of his Pyramid, Coach Wooden defines Success this way. “Success is peace of mind that is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.”

Coach Wooden coached for many years before winning a championship. His team’s at UCLA ultimately won 10 NCAA Championships in 12 years. But his definition of success does not include winning. It is about the Journey and the experiences you have and lessons you learn along the way.

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2017, the year of tech.

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Corey Winkoff

It’s now 2017, and the age of technology is upon us. Self-driving cars, wearables, and drones have become realistic possibilities for every day use. Phones have become pocket sized computers with capabilities beyond imagination. Individuals can start, build, and run businesses from a lap top with wifi connectivity. Technology has opened a door for people to create work that truly matters.

For 2017, I’m most excited to see who sucessfullly brings advancements in tech to world of lacrosse. Since the turn of the century, equipment, apparel, sticks, and lacrosse training methods have used tech to pursue bigger, and better. Innovations exist on a daily basis. Scroll twitter, YouTube, and the web, you’ll find Matt Gibson creating stick tricks, lacrosse companies designing lighter, stronger, sleeker shafts, or college programs orchestrating high definition episodes of their road to success.

For FLG, we hope to use technology to educate more of our followers. We wish to connect with more of our members, alumni, and coaches. We hope to post more content that’s inspiring, and entertaining.

Be sure to follow-us, provide feedback, and respond throughout the year. Let 2017 be the year of technology in lacrosse, and let it be the best year yet.

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Poise and Confidence

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Bob Schmitt

Near the top of Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, are the Building Blocks – Poise and Confidence. These two qualities are natural outgrowths of the Building Blocks that lie beneath them in the “Pyramid”.

John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success

Poise

Wooden defines “Poise” as being yourself, not pretending to be something that you’re not. I think “Poise” is also the capacity to maintain your composure and focus, no matter the intensity of the situation.

Confidence

To be successful in almost anything, you must have the confidence in yourself and by extension, your team, to achieve the task at hand. Real self-confidence will blossom only when you have properly prepared and usually after much hard work and experience. Champions and other leaders seem to exude Poise and Confidence, especially in the most crucial moments.

When all of the previous Building Blocks are in place, “Poise and Confidence” should become present, they cannot be artificially generated. If you possess both, you are well on your way to being successful, in whatever you are trying to do.

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Three More Building Blocks in The Pyramid of Success

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Bob Schmitt

John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success

The next three Building Blocks in Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, are Condition, Skill and Team Spirit. These are all very important elements for players to possess, if their teams are to be successful.

Condition

As a player, you will never reach your potential if you are not in the best possible condition. Conditioning, is of course Physical Conditioning, but Mental and Emotional Conditioning as well. This is really just another way to discuss the importance of Preparedness.

“Failing to Prepare, is Preparing to Fail” Benjamin Franklin

Skill

This Building Block sits in the very center of the Pyramid. To perform your job effectively, you must possess the required skill set for that job, whatever that job may be. Being able to execute quickly and properly, is essential to your success both individually and collectively.

Team Spirit

The willingness to put the good of your team before your own individual goals. This is what makes someone a “team player”. Your “team” may be a business, your family or community or a sports team. For a team to reach its greatest potential, it must be filled with “team players”, who care more about the welfare of the “team”, than their own interests. A true “Team Player” will always find success in whatever the endeavor.

Give these central building blocks, some additional thought and try putting them into action in your own life. It should yield positive results.

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Gleason

Posted on January 8, 2017 by Corey Winkoff

A story of one man’s life on the surface is all about football. Relentless, heroic, NFL linebacker who has it all. Steven Gleason is responsible for one of the most dramatic punt blocks in NFL history. His play ignited what is known as re-birth of an entire city.

After that same man is diagnosed with ALS, which is a progressive chronic disease where your brain loses its ability to communicate with the muscles in your body, he starts a video blog for his unborn son. In a hit documentary created in 2016, titled Gleason, viewers get an opportunity to see pieces of that video blog. This documentary takes you on a journey of a man who explores a deeper meaning to life. He explores faith, insecurities, fears, and the importance the father son relationship.

Steven Gleason takes his diagnosis and decides to live more, explore more, love more, and give more. The film is touching, and a true emotional journey through a life that’s getting progressively “worse,” life that’s supposed to “shut down and fail,” and, a life that has “nothing left to give.” Watch this film, and you will actually see a man who’s impact grows each day. A life that continues to give more, and hold back less. A life that triggers a foundation for patients with ALS, and scientists researching a cure for this terrible disease.

Learn more about Steven Gleason’s heroic story by watching Gleason.

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