Winning is an easy motivator. But a true champion needs a motivation beyond
winning, right? When you attempt to
inspire your team to work harder after losing, falling short of expectations or
having a less than expected season, I assure you it is no easy task. Motivating a team that has no other reason to
be out on that field, no other reason to spend money and time on a pursuit that
has nothing more to offer than a prideful glory… that is a feat. Maintaining team motivation is especially
difficult at the divisional level because of individual player’s personal levels
of commitment (family, school, money). I
am pretty sure it was President Eisenhower who said, “Motivation is the art of
getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.” Well alrightie then Dwight…
But how? Remember, it
is motivation not manipulation. These
two should never be confused. Any attempt
to motivate in this context should be based off discipline. This obviously has a lot to do with the
attitudes and drivers associated with your team (that whole environment deal we
have talked about before). If you have
recruited wisely, it shouldn’t be too far of a leap to make happen. Remember, the secret of discipline is motivation. When a man or team is
sufficiently motivated, discipline will take care of itself.
We be motivatin’
The Prime leadership has always believed and continues to
believe in hard working players. I will
take the motivated hard working player over the super star every time. Why?
Because motivation will, over time, almost always beat out talent alone.
But here’s the catch; motivation only
gets you so far. It gets you started. Once that hard work becomes a habit, then you
really start to see results. So you need
to learn how to convince your team to develop the habit of working hard. Sure, you can have a player who is worth two
players but he can’t be two
people. He needs to inspire the guy next
to him to step up and then it needs to become contagious. The domino effect, if you will. There are some who believe that motivation is
“easy” - eliminate those who aren’t motivated.
Now, that shouldn’t be confused with creating fear. Sure, that may work in the zombie apocalypse
if your name is Carol but that doesn’t usually work for paintball teams. You can motivate by reward but how many of
us, besides professional programs, have the means to do this right? Both ways have their merits I suppose but the
best motivator? That will always be
self- motivation.
The off season tells the tale of a paintball team whether it
is the team’s rebirth/rejuvenation or the beginning of its death/demise. The off season is where you see where each
member’s level of motivation (commitment to improving) really lies and it can
almost certainly tell you how well you may expect to do (especially in the
divisional levels) the following season.
Everyone knows, and I think this applies in all sports; champions are
made in the off season.
2nd place
can be a strong motivator…
Now, every team needs a break from the grind, a time to
heal, rest up physically or depending on the team’s performance that season,
mentally. I have nightmares about how
our competition, the teams we will be facing next season (and those that beat
us the previous season), are outworking us.
They are all homeschooled or have unlimited funds and paint and
sponsorships and practice every day. And
then there is us… we only have a few weekends to prepare for them. I mean, it really is a lot of sleepless nights
for me. Of course I recognize these as
nightmares and not reality. However, they
get the better of me sometimes, especially if my guys have a lot going on and
struggle to get to practice (hint, hint).
Remember the saying that "Hard work beats talent, when
talent fails to work hard”? Here are
some ideas I have thought about to motivate my guys. Perhaps you might want to use them as well. They may work, they may not, but we are darn
sure going to try them and see what it gets us:
1. Remember how we have talked about training tired? One of the ways I motivate myself when I am
out there with Prime and I am tired is, I will remember a team or match we lost
during the season (for this off season, I don’t have to think too hard… just back
to World Cup). I will fire myself up by
dedicating my efforts to “those guys”.
For example, right before I get on the box to start a drill or point, I
will think to myself “This one is for Team so and so". Now, there is no reason that this can’t be a
team effort as well. Perhaps when you
get to practice, your team captain says we are dedicating this practice to that
loss at Cup! And every opportunity you
have, you mention it throughout the day.
That will get some blood flowing, I bet.
2. I thought of this one the other day. Pin a print out or list of your teams
finishes for the past season up where everyone can see it. Remember how they felt? Yeah, well I remember every one of them and
to me that is motivating. If you see
guys on the team that are OKAY with those finishes, especially if they aren’t
podium finishes...cull them. You could
even combine this one with the first by posting a picture of the teams that
beat you that past season… oh yeah… that’s motivation there.
I want to devour the
liver of my enemies! Motivation…
3. Have a very organized schedule. As soon as the season ends, this is the time
to develop a schedule that might involve a team dinner or team activity. It is also important to give them a few weeks
off but then make sure they understand it is time to work. Plan drill days; work out days, clinics,
whatever you have to do to keep them focused on the goal of getting better for
the next season. Once the schedule is
solidified, stick to it. There should be
no surprises and they can ask employers for those days off work. Talk to as
many of your players as you can and do your best to match schedules.
4. Not every team can do this one but now that Prime has lights;
I plan on being available during the week. I am actually excited about practicing in the
evening, especially during the season (when it is much cooler in balmy
Alabama). If you can find the time, set
up dates that aren’t status quo. It
doesn’t have to be with a paintball gun.
It can be getting together in the gym or track to run.
5. Acknowledge those
that put in the work. Whether it is
through social media announcements, internal emails let those who do put in the
time and effort know that you see it. I
once gave out fun “dollar store” toys to the guys. They got to pick their prize. Turned out to be pretty fun and everyone had
a laugh (but you could tell it was appreciated). Recognition can be a great motivator.
“If you ain’t first,
you’re last” – strive for #1
And those are just a few of the ideas. What are some of yours? Post them up or let me know. Shoot me a message on our public Facebook
page or hit us up on our PBNation thread in the Alabama forum found in the
Southeast area.
Whatever you do… do SOMETHING. Because if you don’t, well… you’ll get what
you put in.
Oh, before I forget a big thank you to one of our biggest
supporters, Ken Osvath! He’s the man who
keeps the pit running smooth for team prime.
And he is a great motivator!
Check out this video he made to pump us up (click the link below)
In the meantime, be water my friends
Mike Bianca
Team Prime
