VANDAL FOOTBALL

WE BELIEVE:

The most important thing is making the best EFFORT possible to WIN

a.     Life is about competition

b.     This is a Varsity sport – The goal is to WIN

The Most Important Thing is the Most Important Thing

a.     CANNOT  be afraid to make people mad when  making sure the most important thing is  the most important thing.

b.     Should NOT be mad when people try to make sure the most important thing is the most important thing

The Term athletic  and athlete are two entirely different things

a.     Athletic refers to the physical skills a person has (everyone has some)

b.     Athlete refers to the  proper mental approach a person has to use those  skills

c.      We Will take an Athlete over an Athletic person  EVERYTIME

Toughness describes  Mentality not being Physical

a.     Mental toughness is WAY more important than physical toughness

b.     Mental toughness = giving  maximum effort and competing no matter the circumstances

(The way you feel, weather, hurt, score, toughness of opponent, not playing well etc..)

c.      Acting tough (talking about kicking somebody’s butt; being physical with someone weaker etc…) is a mask hiding WEAKNESS.

d.     Many people like this will look for a way out, whine, or make excuses when the going gets tough or they face someone equal to superior.

e.     We will take mentally tough people EVERYTIME.

An athlete is dependable

a.     Doesn’t miss off-season workouts except for family vacations

b.     NEVER misses a practice

 

 

An athlete has high standards

a.     Realizes that when he joins a team he represents every person on that team along with the school and town.

b.     Because of this His behavior, citizenship, and moral conduct should be at the highest level.

c.      Knows that alcohol, tobacco, and drugs hurt the body which in turn limits performance which in turns hurts the team (Most Important thing is the Most Important thing)

d.     Has a higher goal than just to start at Vandalia High School

e.     Never skips reps or sets in the weight room

f.       Does not rely on a coach or another player to “motivate” him

An athlete overcomes adversity

a.     Does the hard things when he doesn’t want to

b.     Does it even when he doesn’t feel good

c.      DOESN’T look for a way out when doing the right thing is not convenient for him.

 TEAM FIRST ; ME SECOND

a.     What may be best for the TEAM may not be the best for YOU

b.     Asked to play a different position

c.      May be in a lesser role

ME DOES MATTER

a.     Better players  =  better team

b.     A player should know and accept his  role

c.      A player should never “confront” or “ask” in public about his role (we are human too, this just turns into who can win the confrontation)

1.     In front of everyone

2.     Have parents call

3.     Facebook

d.     A player should “ask” to meet with coach in private at an appropriate time and place

1.     At least 24 hours after a game, and sometime the next day after a practice

2.     In office or classroom ; not on phone or text.

3.     Player  “Me” becomes most important; not “saving face” by each side

4.     Players should be free to ask honest questions / coach’s free to give honest answers.

 

The best way to play the game is to control the ball on offense; have a tough defense and play for field position.

a.     No superstars

b.     Respect the game ( don’t draw attention to yourself)

c.      Not worried about stats (Not going to see your name in the Decatur Herald stat leaders)

d.     Not worried about uniforms

e.     Not worried about what is “trendy”

f.       Not worried about anyone getting their name in the paper

g.     Not worried about individual awards

h.     Not worried about the opinion of others

i.        THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THE  MOST IMPORTANT THING

ALL OF THE ABOVE ITEMS ARE THE “INTANGIBLES” OF A TEAM

a.      WE WILL TAKE INTANGIBLES OVER TALENT  ------EVERYTIME