Competitive Leadership: 12 Principles For Success

I have read the book by Former Minnesota Vikings Coach Brian Billick called "Competitive Leadership: 12 Prinicples for Success". Here are a series of thoughts that I gathered from the book:

A number of core features of an effective work team have been identified including the following:

* a clearly defined and shared sense of purpose
* a list of mutually created and agreed upon objectives
* well defined roles and role relationships
* an environment that encourages shared ideas and feelings

"Individual committment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, and a civilization work" - Vince Lombardi

"You are only as good as the people you hire" - Ray Kroc

Though I am the first to acknowledge that talent is a major key to a team's success, how could I continue in my profession if I didn't feel that my coaching could have a significant impact when I was surrounded by great talent?

"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." - George S. Patton

"Ten strong horses couldn't pull an empty baby carriage if they worked independently of each other." Coach John Wooden

Another factor that can affect teamwork is familiarity. In this instance, familiarity refers to how much knowledge team members have of their teammates jobs, and the work environment. All factors considered, the more team members get to know each other and become familiar with the work place, the more likely they are to be bound emotionally to the group.

"When individuals have team spirit, they want the team to succeed and will hold themselves - and every other member of the team - personally accountable for pursuing individual excellence - Vince Lombardi

Too many rules get in the way of leadership...people set rules to keep from making decisions." - Mike Krzyzewski

In his book, "Leading with the Heart", Coach K states that he has one rule for his players: "Don't do anything detrimental to yourself". This rule is elegant in its simplicity.

If you're not sure whether a certain behavior is appropriate or not, it probably isn't.

I have established a speaker bureau to address my team during the course of our training camp and the regular season. This group consist of a cross section of lawyers, law enforcement professionals and qualified counselors who have expertise in areas such as anger management, male-female issues, crisis intervention and motivational speaking.

Peer Pressure is an excellent way to help "suspend" self-interest.

Finally, teamwork and team spirit are fostered when a leader takes specific steps to enable groups to lead themselves. In this regard, one of the most effective actions a leader can undertake is to empower the group to make decisions that can affect the team.

"The secret of winning football games is working more as a team, less as individuals. I play not my 11 best, but my best 11." - Knute Rockne

2013 Rule Changes for High School Football

We have 34 days until the start of football practice and wanted to pass along rule changes for the 2013 football season.

In an effort to continue minimizing the risk of injury in high school football, three additional rules will take effect this coming season to address helmets coming off players' heads during game.

As a follow-up to last year's rules change that requires players to sit out one play if their helmet comes off while the ball is live, the NFHS rules committee approved three additional rules that are extensions of last year's changes.

An illegal personal foul was added to Rule 9-4-3 to state that "no player or non player shall initiate contact with an opposing player whose helmet has come completely off."

In addition, a new listing in Rule 9-6-4 will state that it is illegal participation "for a player whose helmet comes completely off during a down to continue to participate beyond the immediate action in which a player is engaged."

The committee also added language to Rule 3-5-10 to clarify that if the helmet comes completely off during the down or subsequent dead-ball action related to the down - and is not directly attributable to a foul by an opponent - the player must leave the game for at least one down, with the exception of halftime or overtime intermission. When this occurs, an official's time out shall be called.

Perhaps the most significant rules changes this coming season will be one that reduces the penalty for pass interference. While the 15-yard penalty will remain for both offensive and defensive pass interference, the loss of down has been removed for offensive pass interference and the automatic first down has been eliminated for defensive pass interference.

Goodbye to a True Role Model, Mentor, Friend

Last night, I learned that my high school basketball coach, Bob Sutter passed away earlier in the day. My first reaction was of shock, because if there was a man that would truly live forever, it would have been Coach Sutter.

Coach was one of three role models in my life that made an impact on me. He came to North Beach High School when I was a 7th grader. He was someone I wanted to be like. All the girls were in love with him. In today's society, kids wanted to be like Mike, I wanted to be like Coach!!!

Coach always demanded your best, whether it was in math class or be it on the football field, basketball court, baseball diamond, or on the track. He had a special way of making you feel good about yourself.

Coach Sutter was a father figure in my life, when I needed one. My own father died when I was 9, and he was one man I totally looked up to. When I coach today, there are things I say and do that remind me so much of Coach.

Coach taught me to always think of others before self. Until his passing, he continued that way of life. In 2009, when my team lost a tough semi-final district tournament game, and we had to bounce back to play the next day, he was there for me to lend support. I have never forgotten that, and I let him know how much that meant to me.

He was the ultimate role model. You never saw Coach in trouble. Coach Sutter was devoted family man and was devoted to our school and to every student that walked the halls of North Beach High School.

Coach is survived by his wife of 42 years, JoAnn, two beautiful daughters, Julie and Angie. I thank them for sharing their husband and father with all of us for so many years.

I hadn't talked to Coach in about 6 months. I wish I had told Coach more often how thankful I was for what he did for me. To let Coach know how much he meant to me, how truly special he was to me and every student he helped along the way. Coach, I love you and will miss you and I will never forget the things you taught me. You left this world a much better place than you found it. You impacted so many people and you truly will be missed.....

New Jersey Bans Trash Talking in High School Sports

New Jersey high school athletes who talk trash could find themselves penalized and themselves under investigation by state officials.

In announcing the new policy, The New Jersey State Interscholastic Association and the State Attorney General's Office said it brings athletic events into line with the state's anti-bullying law for schools.

According to the policy, sports participants could be in trouble and under investigation by the State's Civil Rights Division if they make harassing statements related to gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

Steven Timko, executive director for the agency, said in a statement that obscene gestures, profanity or "unduly provocative language or action toward officials, opponents or spectators" also won't be tolerated.

The new rules, which take effect in the fall, apply to athletes and coaches at the nearly 400 public, private and parochial high schools that belong to the NJSIAA.

Coaches will be responsible for reminding players about the trash-talking policy.

Referees would also be required to report incidents for possible further investigation. If discriminatory remarks are heard, they can assess immediate penalties.

The big question is.....Will the WIAA follow New Jersey?????

West 30, East 6 in Earl Barden Football Classic

Lakewood's Justin Peterson caught 7 balls for 107 yards as the West topped the East 30-6 in the Earl Barden Classic at Earl Barden Field in Yakima Saturday afternoon.

The Central Washington University signee, worked this week exclusively at Wide Receiver, where CWU is interested in Peterson playing, and meshed well with Lynden's Josh Kraght. Peterson's efforts earned him West Offensive MVP honors.

"This was a great experience, especially with my coach (Dan Teeter) here on the staff," Peterson told Scott Spurill of the Yakima Herlad-Republic. "I've had some older teammates play in this game and they always said, 'If you get the chance, you have to do it-don't pass it up.' It wasn't just a game, it was really cool the whole week."

Peterson, a state triple jump champion, caught five passes in the second panel and showed great chemistry with Lynden QB Josh Kraght. The two hooked up on gains of 40, 23 and 10 yards, the last going for a score that put the West up 27-6 with 23 seconds left in the second panel.

The West dominated this one, 432 yards - 184 on the ground and 248 thru the air, scoring 4 of their touchdowns in its seven first half possessions. The West defense was opportunistic in forcing six turnovers and held the East to 21 yards on the ground. Tumwater's Jamie Bryant, 6-5, 260 pound defensive lineman was key to the West's effort, and was voted the West Defensive MVP. Bryant will be heading to Montlake and the University of Washington.

Though the West air attack was outstanding, the ground gain was as good, rushing for 140 yards in the first quarter with touchdown runs by Capital's Kai Van Sickle and Hoquiam's Nolan Hoiness.

The East did have its chances however. West Valley (Spokane) Tyler Stavnes connected with Othello's Juston Lind on a 67-yard scoring strike that drew the East to 14-6 early in the second stanza. But turnovers proved costly in this contest.

Lind had 4 receptions for 112 yards in the first half but left the contest with a separated shoulder. Lind earned the East Offensive MVP. Royal's Brady Dixon was the East Defensive MVP.

West 30
East 6

SCORING:

West - Kai Van Sickle 56-yard run (Derrick Holt kick)

West - Nolan Hoiness 3-yard run (Holt kick)

East - Juston Lind 67-yard pass from Tyler Stavnes (kick failed)

West - Caleb Taylor 40-yard pass from Josh Kraght (kick blocked)

West - Justin Peterson 10-yard pass from Kraght (Holt kick)

West - Field Goal Holt 22-yards

INDIVIDUAL STATS:

RUSHING:West: Van Sickle, 8-68, Andrew Brown, 5-46, Hoiness, 5-40, Brandon Pritchett, 6-17, Dahlton Zavala, 5-17, Taylor Martindale 2-minus 1, Lars Blix, 1-minus 1, Kraght, 1-minus 1. East: Derek Smith, 3-28, Alex Myrick, 10-8, Kody Bartlett, 1-7, Fabian Alvarez, 2-4, Stavnes, 4-minus 5, Lind, 2-minus 11.

PASSING: West: Kraght, 13-21-0-225, Blix, 2-3-0-13, Martindale, 2-3-0-1 East: Myrick, 18-34-2-183, Stavnes, 9-13-1-148, D. Smith, 2-3-1-30.

RECEIVING: West: Peterson 7-107, Taylor 4-80, Zach Vis 2-19, Van Sickle 1-21, Holt 1-15, Hoiness 1-4, Brown 1-2 East: D. Smith 6-72, Bartlett 6-35, Lind 4-112, Alvarez 4-38, Caleb Wiebe 3-13, Koleman Johns 2-46, Dalton Estes 2-29, Austin Johnson 1-12, Dalton Hansen 1-4.

Combined Allocations for 2013 District 7 & 9 1B & 2B Playoff Football

I know it is early in the game, but thanks to Bob Kirk, WIAA District 9 Director for sharing the 2013 District 7 & 9 Combined Allocations for 1B & 2B Football Playoffs.







DISTRICT 7 & 9 1B - COMBINED ALLOCATIONS = 5

D7: NE #5 will play D9: SE #1...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 1B #1
D7: NE #6 will play D7: NE #1...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 1B #2
D7: NE #4 will play D9: SE #2...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 1B #3
D9: SE #4 will play D7: NE #2...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 1B #4
D7: NE #3 will play D9: SE #3...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 1B #5

DISTRICT 7 & 9 2B - COMBINED ALLOCATIONS = 5

D7: NE #5 will play D9: SE #1...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 2B #1
D9: SE #5 will play D7: NE #1...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 2B #2
D9: SE #4 will play D7: NE #2...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 2B #3
D7: NE #4 will play D9: SE #2...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 2B #4
D7: NE #3 will play D9: SE #3...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 2B #5

Rochester Hires Football Coach

For the second straight year, Rochester High School has hired an assistant from Black Hills High School. This time, it is Defensive Coordinator Eric Snelson as its new football coach.

Snelson had been the Wolves' Defensive Coordinator and also coached linebackers for Coach Jack Zilla, who resigned at Black Hills after 15 seasons in February. Snelson replaces Chris Barnes, a former Black Hills assistant under Zilla, who resigned after one season at Rochester. Several former Black Hills assistants, including Zilla, are on Snelson's new coaching staff at Rochester.

Snelson is Rochester's seventh coach since the departure of Bob Wollan, now at WF West High School, in 2002 and the fourth coach since 2010. After Paul Christensen stepped down following the 2010 season, Tom Griggs, and Barnes each coached for one year in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Last fall, under Barnes, the Warriors went 2-7.

Snelson, who also teaches math, played tight end for Stanford, where he was All Pac-10 honorable mention player in 1987. He also played linebacker briefly for the Los Angeles Raiders (1988 and 1989.