Explode in Sports

Leadership

explodeinsports — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:14:14 +0000

What does this word really mean to athletes and coaches? Think about it. On the floor, off the floor and in the locker room, coaches really love to have that someone really step up and be the leader. Although many fans sitting in the stands may look at a player screaming and showing emotional leadership on the playing surface, there is more to leading that that. The first type of leader I was accustomed to was the vocal leader. I, myself was a vocal leader through my high school sports career. A vocal leader in my eyes and maybe other’s, is someone who demonstrates good character by pumping his teammates up, offering a word of advice when something seems to not be running smoothly, and finally letting the team know how good things really are. It is good to be a vocal leader because that means the communication aspect is clicking. Being able to talk to your teammates and coaches helps them guage just what move to make next and how to go about it. The vocal leader can also be seen as sort of the messenger between the actual game action and the coach. Here’s why. As the vocal leader communicates and is verbally getting his teammates and coaches involved, the more silenced leader, the one I refer to as leading by example may have something to bring to the table. Even though this leader is not as vocal, he is still leading his team to victory. Leading by example comes in many different flavors. The first way is maybe they are the best player on the team. To me, this is a tip of the ice berg comparison due to the fact that not every best player on a team is a leader, that’s a fact. But, being the best player on a team and every team has one, can help elevate the rest of the team’s performance because the other player’s may want to be as good or better than he or she. This is great because the competition level in practice will rise and players will go at it day in an day out, in essence maximizing their potential. Finally, my favorite type of leader. This leader may not be the best athletically or physically or have the starring role on a franchise or team. I love it! That’s because this leader does his job behind closed doors where no one really sees besides his teammates and coaches. I am referring to the leader who practices against the starting team in practice and dogs them, makes them sweat like never before and makes them look over their shoulder in fear of having their spot taken. The practice squad leader not only is a leader in the film room, on the field of court, but carries that leadership over to when it’s really game time. This leader makes his teammates and coaches better by already simulating and know how the other team will run their stuff based on his simulation in practice. The practice leader is by far my favorite because I’ve assumed that position and took great pride in being the practice player who can help my team in any single way. As you can see, from the strongest, fastest, most gifted athlete all the way down the roster to the last man, all have a role. How you assume that role and adapt to it will go a long way in how you enjoy your sports career. Become a leader or not to become a leader, it’s up to you!

Welcome!

explodeinsports — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:54:51 +0000

Motivation, Leadership, Hardwork and Determination: These four very powerful words describe the business and purpose of explodeinsports.com. This website is designed for you, the athlete, you the coach, and of course you, the fan. As you take a look around the website, browse through the blog posts and help contribute to a growing community of sports enthusiasts. I am here to make it clear that I, Brian Gray will be your host and help lead you through new experiences no matter what athletic background you have. I am an avid sports fan, writer, presenter and radio show host and I am finishing my degree in Communications with journalism and broadcast backgrounds. I want to share not only the sports news that gives you score, statistics and game-changing performances, but also show what the true MLHD means in the world of sports. “MLHD” is the abbreviation of the four words used to start this topic above and will serve as not only my stepping stone, but yours as well as you navigate and learn more about the site and yourself. Together we can build a strong community and following who is hopefully trying to accomplish goals on the field, off the field, in the classroom and basically in every day life. I am here for you and hopefully you for me, and with that in mind I get excited and jacked knowing that we can learn about each other and grow as a budding new sports community.

To Our Success,

Brian J. Gray

Motivation

explodeinsports — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:43:20 +0000

It’s gameday and you’re pumped about taking the field against your most hated rival. The crowd is buzzing and the warm up jams are playing through the loud speaker, but being the smart player you are you are rocking the tiny earbuds provided by the apple ipod. You are listning to your favorite music that gets you jacked before the opening kick, the opening tip, the first pitch or the first swing. The nerves in your body are running wild and you get that butterfly feeling deep in your stomach because you know it’s game time! Sound familiar? I know I’ve felt that way many times and I still get that feeling before a sporting event, even if I’m watching it. So the question I pose to you is what motivates you? What makes you push on and wake up willing to make each day a great one and get excited for that big game? Motivation is truley a key aspect in performing your best. Without this component, you are basically shorting yourself of using your talent and wisdom to the best of your ability. There are certain things in life that come in the form of people, feelings, events and situations that all take a toll on how we stay motivated as positive people and athletes. When reading the local paper sometimes I gaze through the player profile of the week and read what he or she has to say. Most every time I read the article, the player has some sort of pre-game routine, whether wearing the same socks every game or going to eat with same friends to the same diner. What do you do that gets you motivated for the game, the situation or the event? Another key aspect in maintaining good motivation comes in the form of handling criticism. How well you handle the critics and the negative energy posed on you by others, also gives a pretty good indication on how good your motivation will remain. Think about this topic and reply with comments. Finding out how you truly stay motivated is not only essential, but interesting to others. In your reading, comment back and remember, STAY MOTIVATED!