The Savior Fallacy: Over-Betting on Star Players in Sports and Business

Why the "Treadmill of Mediocrity" theory may be wrong.  Sometimes it doesn't make sense to blow it up and start over. 



The Savior Fallacy: Over-Betting on Star Players in Sports and Business - Derek Thompson - The Atlantic

CDC - Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports

Link to the Centers for Disease Control - Concussion Management in High School Sports - prevention tips and stats.



CDC - Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports - Concussion - Traumatic Brain Injury - Injury Center

Summer Sports Camp - A Checklist

School is almost out which means summer camp is coming up.  

For those sports parents getting ready to send their student-athlete off to camp for the first time, here is a quick checklist for things to consider:

1.  Coaches Certification:  make sure the coaches, all the coaches, are certified in CPR, concussion management, and have passed background checks.

2.  Coach Experience:  Don't be dazzled by a coaching roster stacked with Div I players.  Div. I?  Yes, and?  Athletic ability and coaching experience are two very different skill sets.  Find out exactly how long your son or daughter's summer coaches have actually....coached.  And at what level.  They should have experience coaching at your kid's level to be effective communicators.

3. Multi-Sport Summer:  Better to spend time in camps in different sports than at three football or basketball camps over the summer.  This helps the student-athlete to get comfortable being uncomfortable - different coaches, campers, expectations, and muscle group and skill development.

4.  Parenting Plan:  Is your current parenting plan working for the child as a road map or as a weapon against the ex?  The summer parenting plan should work around summer camps and clinics rather than camps working around the plan.  Use the "Best Interests" standard.  

Navy Midshipmen Football Schedule for 2014 - Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day. 

And thanks to all vets, past and present, for all those sacrifices. 

Navy Midshipmen schedule for 2014:



Navy 2014 Schedule - Midshipmen Home and Away - ESPN

Wide Receiver Recruiting - Control the Controllables

A recruiter comes out to watch you play. 

Let's say your team has a total of 40 offensive plays  in that game.  And let's say the QB throws the ball your way four times.  Finally, let's say you caught only two of those four passes.  Is that enough for the recruiter to go on and make an educated evaluation?  Yes, you bet.  Were you directly involved in 10% of the plays that night?  No.  You were directly involved in 100% of the offensive plays that night. 

The ball got thrown your way four times, you caught two.  What did you do on the other 36 offensive plays?  Recruiters will evaluate your pre-snap reads to post-snap adjustments. 

What did you do (or not do) when the ball was not in your hands the other 90% of the game?  The little things count.  Stance and start, releases against man-press coverage, stacking the DB and staying on your route, stemming, footwork, handwork, top of the route breaks, discipline, stalk blocking, cross field blocks, hustle between plays, leadership.   It all counts. 

What you do when the ball is not in your hands, which will be a lot as a wide receiver in any offense, counts more than what you do with the ball.

David Epstein: Are athletes really getting faster, better, stronger? | TED Talk Video

Interesting Ted Talk by David Epstein on how sports science and technology play such a huge role in sports records and advancement.
Hard to believe, but a 1936 trained Jesse Owens could have competed against....and won, in a race vs. a 2014 trained Usain Bolt.

David Epstein: Are athletes really getting faster, better, stronger? | Talk Video | TED.com

How to Respond When the World's Biggest Pop Star Fires Your A**

Troy Carter, La Gaga's former manager for seven years, got fired.  No going-away party, no gold watch, no dry cake.  And how he responded.  From Fast Company magazine.



Troy Carter: Fired By Lady Gaga And Loving It | Fast Company | Business + Innovation