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08 March 2008
Self Starters have the edge
Playing in 2008?
Are you a non starter, kick starter or a self starter?
"How will Pat O Rourke do I wonder" is tripping off the lips of the locals in the parish these days. Pat will do just fine. He was a fine ball player himself for both club and county and has learnt his coaching trade under a variety of highly rated coaches over the years. So, unless Pat contrives to do something absolutely extraordinary then Clooney preparation should be in safe hands in 2008.
What can we expect from the senior team, or indeed any of the teams in 2008? More specifically will Clooney be better than the rest?
There are volumes written on team preparations but one thing never changes – each player’s responsibility for his/her own preparation. Form opinions on your coach, club, facilities, fellow players etc when you have looked after the scores of small details that will form your contribution to the team this year. Roy Keane’s experience (in United with players!) was that thousands of things needed to be addressed before a team reaches the pinnacle. Here’s 3, (just 3!) specifics to think about for you as a player that you may have thought were somebody else’s issues…..
1. Will your physical fitness give you the edge over your opponent?
Two decades ago maybe, so get over it if you think your hard work in this regard will be the difference in the big games ahead. However, it is a minimum requirement and 99% of your opponents will already have this. Expect no advantage from this as it is simply a must have basic that will fall in to place with good diet and honest participation in training. You are a "non starter" if you don’t tick this one.
2. Assuming there is no famine or significant personal issues in the next few months, ask yourself this - Is this years championship your number 1 priority with no exceptions?
If anyone has to persuade you to make it number 1 priority then you are in the "kick starter" category, and during 2008 at least one of your opponents will know it and exploit it. Sort this one out rapidly if in doubt, or maybe ask Brian Quinn in Tulla where it ranked for him last year…..
3. Have you analysed your own game? What are the scenarios that you have to face in each game? What could you do differently in each of those scenarios to give you and your team an edge?
Just one or 2 extra possessions won or scores created or taken could be the margin between victory and defeat. Nobody can see the game through your eyes. Your coach may have 1 or 2 pointers for you but can’t pick that ball out of the sky for you, can’t do that new jink to slip your opponent and can’t press the play button for you on match day if you don’t have your game on your own internal me:drive beforehand. Write down the plan if it helps. Be a self-starter and 2008 could be the big one….
An duine eile
