the coaches’ · journey isbn 978-1-60679-133-2 9 781606 791332 51 9 $19.95 the coaches’...

The Coaches’

Handbook of

Winning Quotes

Bob Bennett

WINNING WORDS TO GUIDE THE JOURNEY

ISBN 978-1-60679-133-2

9 781606 791332

5 1 9 9 5

$19.95www.coacheschoice.com

The Coaches’ Handbook of

Winning Quotes

An encouraging leader’s followers multiply.

Commitment is unwavering.

Commitment either is or isn’t.

An effort half given is an advantage half taken.

Effort is the arrow not the target.

Persistence knocks until the door opens.

Self-confidence speaks for itself.

Failure sends a message and tells a story—read both.

Sometimes we have to use the tears of disappointment to wash away the failures.

Wrap yourself in the details and the results will take care of themselves.

Loyalty is friendship in action.

Bob Bennett

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Bennett

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© 2011 Coaches Choice. All rights reserved. www.coacheschoice.com

The Coaches’ Handbook of

Winning QuotesWinning Words to Guide the Jour

ney

Bob Bennett

Winning Words to Guide the Journey


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©2011 Coaches Choice. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Coaches Choice. Throughout this book, the masculine shall be deemed to include the feminine and vice versa.

ISBN: 978-1-60679-133-2 Library of Congress Control Number: 2010937697 Cover design: Brenden Murphy Book layout: Studio J Art & Design Front cover photo: Hemera/Thinkstock

Coaches Choice P.O. Box 1828 Monterey, CA 93942 www.coacheschoice.com


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Dedication

This book is dedicated to my two sons, Brad and Todd. Both of them played for me when I coached at Fresno State University. Brad, an outstanding center fielder, played on three championship teams before signing with the New York Yankees and playing three years in their farm system. He later went on to become CEO of a major insurance company. Todd played on five championship teams (medical redshirt one year) and was an outstanding catcher. He is now a principal of a local school.

Having both sons play for me was an unforgettable and wonderful experience. Few coaches have this privilege. Both players had an impact on me as a coach. Obviously, there are built-in problems for both the players (the sons) and the coach (the dad). It is probably more difficult for the player to play for the dad than for the dad to coach his sons. I am grateful for their loyalty and cooperation and their ability to make the whole process work. Their leadership ability and their ability to share with and care about their teammates were the keys to their success and becoming viable team members.

Having my own sons play for me compelled me to treat all the players as if they were my sons. Early on I learned to treat them no differently than I would treat any other player on the team. I learned not to be more harsh with them to make a point or to set an example at their expense. They were held to the same standards as any other player. Neither would have had it any other way. That is why they were accepted as regular team members by the other players.

They have taught me as much as—if not more than—I have taught them. Throughout my coaching career, both of them were steadfast, loyal supporters and have always been there in the toughest of times to counsel me and help me get over the dark spots every coach goes through in his career. I have always been proud of them as sons and as players, and I’m especially proud of the men they have become. I thank them for their support, their friendship, and their love. They were both champions on the field and they have always been champions as people.


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Acknowledgments

As I reflected on why I decided to write this book, I immediately drifted back in time to the many family members, wonderful neighbors, helpful friends, fellow coaches, and all of my former players who impacted my life. The tips, suggestions, advice, information, and common sense solutions given are small payments and thanks to all those who have helped me.

My late grandfather Joseph David Bennett was a great storyteller. He could paint pictures with words. In my early childhood in Atwood, Oklahoma, I often visited the local blacksmith shop with my grandfather. I spent hours listening to their exciting stories. Most, if not all, of these men were academically uneducated but they were extremely intelligent and highly educated in life skills. Occasionally, they were guilty of making up a word or uniquely finding a different and special way to pronounce it. This trait did not, however, hinder their ability to tell a story. It added to the details and helped to seal those memories in the minds of the listeners. In their own way, they were wordsmiths. Many of the ideas and quotes in this book are the result of listening to those storytellers.

The helpful hands of fellow coaches reached out to help me. I will forever be grateful for their guidance and counsel. Their generous sharing of information provided a gold mine of knowledge.

A debt of gratitude is owed to all of my former players. They provided the laboratory for testing and formulating ideas and techniques. I thank them for their passion, commitment, and cooperation.


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Table of Contents

Dedication ................................................................................................................................................ 3

Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................. 4

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 6

Chapter 1: Awareness and Details .................................................................................................. 7

Chapter 2: Coaching, Teaching, and Leadership .....................................................................11

Chapter 3: Commitment, Goals, and Dedication ....................................................................25

Chapter 4: Competing .......................................................................................................................33

Chapter 5: Consistency, Persistence, and Experience ...........................................................37

Chapter 6: Confidence and Courage ...........................................................................................41

Chapter 7: Failure and Disappointment ......................................................................................45

Chapter 8: Family and Friends ........................................................................................................53

Chapter 9: Heroes ...............................................................................................................................57

Chapter 10: Learning .........................................................................................................................61

Chapter 11: Motivation ......................................................................................................................69

Chapter 12: Passion and Interest ..................................................................................................75

Chapter 13: Positive Approach .......................................................................................................81

Chapter 14: Responsibility, Honor, and Class ...........................................................................89

Chapter 15: Reflections .....................................................................................................................97

Chapter 16: Success .......................................................................................................................101

Chapter 17: Teamwork ..................................................................................................................109

Chapter 18: Time .............................................................................................................................115

Chapter 19: The Game ..................................................................................................................119

About the Author ..............................................................................................................................125


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Introduction

As we travel the journey through life, we face good times and bad times, hills and valleys, and success and failure. Some of the hills will be challenging and some of the valleys will be difficult to endure. The failures will test our resolve. The successes will be exhilarating and confidence-building. We can enjoy and learn from the good times. We can overcome the bad times and also learn and grow from them.

We will be confronted with many forks in the road along the way. The helpful hands of others, sound judgment, and taking advantage of the experience of other travelers can point us in the right direction.

The words in the following chapters are written to help guide the journey. The sayings, quotes, and statements in this book are based on the experience of a fellow traveler with a 46-year coaching career.

Few jobs equal the ups and downs of coaching. Dealing with success and failure is critical. Persistence and perseverance are necessary for both survival and success. Emotions run the gamut from confident and fulfilled to doubtful and despairing. Becoming and remaining motivated are important components of success. Understanding, contributing to, and committing to teamwork are all vital to the pursuit of excellence.

The ideas in this book were formulated from life experiences, from observations as a teacher, and from competition as a player and a coach. Experience produces knowledge. The following guiding words represent what I have learned. Passing these along is my way of paying back the many people who helped me.


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When we pay attention, our attention is paid.

F

Awareness of time is a key to athletic performances.

F

With details, develop in your mind the player you would like to be.

F

There are many ways to solve a problem, but to solve a problem, you must select one.

F

No decision is a decision that someone else was allowed to make.

F

Remember to honor the past, for it has taught us valuable lessons.

F

Sloppy work becomes a habit.

F

A half-speed effort gets about half the results.

F

The older I get, the more I realize how much I have missed.

F

To deal in details is to learn how to wade through peripheral activities and get to the heart of the matter.

F

Details are important to champions.

F

Great players appear to be able to anticipate the future.


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The more I observe, the more I need to observe.

F

Recapping part, or all, of an event creates a need to focus on details.

F

Paying close attention to details leaves little time for distracting events.

F

Some see better with their eyes closed.

F

Wrap yourself in the details and the results will take care of themselves.

F

From a diamond, champions grow.

F

In looking for little details, we see the big picture more clearly.

F

It is difficult for me to see details if my problems get in the way.

F

Give each moment its due, and none will escape you.

F

The more you notice, the more you care. The more you care, the more you notice.

F

Tune in to the details in order to see the big picture.

F

Live in the moment, and the moment will come alive.


10

The moment to make important is the one happening now.

F

Now is the only time an action can take place.

F

Live life now!

F

Plan for the future, but live now.

F

Learn from the past, but utilize the lessons now.

F

Mistakes can only be corrected now.

F

Living in the past leaves the present empty.

F

Plan for the future, but remember the plans can only be activated in the present.


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