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A Football Player's Perspective
How to Make It to the Next Level of Play
Casey Poppinga
It was August 2003 and my team at the time, the Pittsburgh
Steelers, was holding the first live scrimmage for training
camp. As a rookie in the NFL I had practiced a number of times
with the team, but this was the first time I was going to
suit it up for a "full contact and tackle goal line scrimmage".
The set up was easy. The first and second team offenses would
go against the first and second team defenses. The offense
had four downs to score a touchdown. If they scored, they
won; if they failed to score the defense won. The first team
offense and defense took the field first. The offense included
Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Plaxico Burress, and Tommy Maddox
who went against a defense consisting of Joey Porter, James
Farrior, and Kendrell Bell. The opposing sides lined up against
each other, the referee blew his whistle to start the play
clock, Tommy Maddox called out the cadence, then the ball
was snapped ... ... from that instant, the phrase "The Next
Level" was defined for me.
"The Next Level" is a phrase commonly thrown around by athletes
referring to the ability to play in a professional arena such
as the NFL, NBA or MLB. To me "The Next Level" is not a title
you gain, e.g. Professional Football Player; it is more a
state of mind, an attitude and way of thinking when competing.
Therefore, I have come up with three characteristics that
I believe all athletes must posses in order to achieve "The
Next Level".
1. Play, Practice and Think with 100% Effort. It is
as simple as that. You should have one speed and one speed
only - FAST! There is no such thing as "half speed" or "walk
thru". Regardless of what people say, that is how we practiced
and prepared in the NFL. Mike Holmgren said it best one day
while practicing in the middle of December while preparing
for the playoffs, "We run plays at full speed during the week
so when the game comes it will be second nature and all you
have to do is react."
2. Be Able to "Flip the Switch" Once the Whistle Blows.
This is probably the most mental of the three characteristics.
Just picture in your mind a Cheetah stalking a gazelle and
how meticulous, careful and alert it is as it sets up its
approach. Once that Gazelle notices it is being hunted and
starts running, the Cheetah "flips the switch" and accelerates
to incredible speeds. Within seconds it has the Gazelle in
its grasp and the hunt is over. This is the same way you should
approach every play. An average football play lasts an average
of 10 seconds or less, but when that ball is snapped a literal
switch should be flipped in your mind and every ounce of energy
should be released at that moment.
3. Dominate. This one word sums up every quality of
those who achieve "The Next Level". To dominate simply means
competing to be the BEST. Does it mean you have to be the
best? NO! It just means you are working, preparing, practicing
and believing YOU CAN be the BEST. You may never achieve it
and if you do there will always be someone that will be better.
But if you compete and approach everything with 100% effort,
dedication, commitment, and hold yourself accountable, you
will dominate. While I was playing with the Philadelphia Eagles
during our run up to the Super Bowl in 2004, starting tight
end and 3-time Pro Bowl selection Chad Lewis would always
tell the team, "Time to DOMINATE!" That is literally how you
should approach every conditioning drill, lift, practice,
meeting and play as an athlete. You approach it no other way!!
When I witnessed the explosive power, speed and attitude that
my teammates displayed that late summer day in Pittsburgh,
I came to the conclusion that "The Next Level" is not a title
you gain when you make it to the NFL, it is truly a state
of mind and way of life for those that achieve greatness in
athletics.
Casey Poppinga Tight End. College - University of
Wyoming and Utah State University. NFL Experience - Pittsburgh
Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs and 2004 NFC
Champions Philadelphia Eagles. For football training aids
and football coaching videos, I recommend http://www.touchdownskills.com
Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com
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