Friday, March 22, 2013

Bob Walsh: Winning on the Road

WINNING ON THE ROAD


WINNING ON THE ROAD IS A MENTALITY.  IT IS KNOWING THAT WE HAVE PREPARED OURSELVES FOR EVERY CHALLENGE – THE EMOTION OF OUR OPPONENT, THE ELECTRICITY OF THE CROWD, THE DIFFERENT GYM, THE TOUGH CALLS.  IT IS THE KNOWLEDGE THAT NOTHING CAN HAPPEN THAT WE ARE NOT READY FOR – WE ARE PREPARED TO WIN.

WINNING ON THE ROAD IS TOUGHNESS.  IT IS AN ATTITUDE THAT NO MATTER WHICH WAY THE BALL BOUNCES, WE ARE GOING TO FIND A WAY.

WINNING ON THE ROAD IS INTENSITY.   IT IS DICTATING THE TEMPO OF THE GAME WITH HOW HARD WE COMPETE, FROM TAP TO BUZZER.  IT IS LETTING THEM KNOW WHO THE BETTER TEAM IS AS SOON AS THE BALL GOES UP.

WINNING ON THE ROAD IS BELIEF.  IT IS 100% TRUST IN EVERYONE IN OUR LOCKER ROOM AND EVERYTHING WE DO.  IT IS KNOWING THAT YOU NEED TO BE THERE FOR YOUR TEAMMATES, AND KNOWING THAT THEY WILL BE THERE FOR YOU.

WINNING ON THE ROAD IS ENERGY.  IT IS AN ENTHUSIASM AND PASSION TO GO INTO SOMEONE ELSE’S BUILDING AND MAKE THEM PLAY OUR GAME.  IT IS EVERYONE ON THAT BUS BEING ENGAGED AND EXCITED.

WINNING ON THE ROAD IS SACRIFICE.  IT IS PUTTING ASIDE PERSONAL ISSUES FOR THE GOOD OF THE TEAM.  IT IS A TEAM EGO.

WINNING ON THE ROAD IS COMPOSURE.  IT IS THE POISE TO STAY LEVEL AND KEEP OUR TRUST WHEN OUR OPPONENT MAKES A RUN. 

WINNING ON THE ROAD STARTS IN OUR OWN GYM.  IT STARTS IN PRACTICE, WITH AN INTENSE PREPARATION AND A COMMITMENT TO EVERY POSSESSION.  IT IS ABOUT NEVER SETTLING, NEVER TAKING THE EASY WAY OUT, AND BEING MENTALLY PREPARED FOR PRACTICE.

WINNING ON THE ROAD IS A SWAGGER.  IT IS A COMBINATION OF EVERYTHING ABOVE ROLLED INTO A CONFIDENCE THAT PEOPLE NOTICE AS SOON AS WE WALK IN THE GYM.  WE EXPECT TO WIN, AND THEY KNOW IT.

WINNING ON THE ROAD IS FUN.  THERE IS NOTHING LIKE GOING INTO THEIR HOUSE AND PROVING WE ARE THE BETTER TEAM FOR 40 MINUTES.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO WEAR A RIC BASKETBALL UNIFORM, 
WINNING ON THE ROAD IS EXPECTED.