Cabrini Connections host O.T.A.'s (Organized Team Activities)

I apologize for the delay in the 'Sport's Concepts' blog articles, but it's back and I think this one will be a good one!

Every NFL, College, and I'm almost 100% sure that every high school football team hosts what are called O.T.A.'s. Organized Team Activities are various training and workout activities that typically take place in the football team's 'off-season' and are considered to be VOLUNTARY. But for anybody who has played the game of football on any one of those levels knows that even though the O.T.A.'s are considered voluntary, it's almost a must that each and every player 'volunteer' their time.

O.T.A.'s can consist of running workouts, speed and agility drills, 7 on 7 drills, strength workouts in the weight room, and individual and team film sessions. All of these activities are intended to not only assist the individual player with becoming the best football player they can be, but these voluntary workouts assist with team building, dedication and commitment to each other and the overall program, and ultimately better preparation for a successful season. The veterans and superstars attend and lead these sessions to show their leadership and to teach the younger players and the rookies the ropes. And its almost cardinal sin for any rookie or young player to not attend every O.T.A. session. Great players, teams, and programs don't become great during the season; the time spent during the off-season, during those hot summer days on the field, in the weight room, and in the film room is where greatness takes shape.

Last Thursday, the Cabrini Connections' program conducted a session very similar one that an NFL organization would conduct. The General Manager, Head Coach, and Assistant Coaches hosted an O.T.A. session titled Volunteer Appreciation Night show our appreciation to the coaches who work directly with our players and directly and indirectly are the key to the overall success of the program. The Volunteer Appreciation Night was an 1 1/2 hour O.T.A. session that consisted of an full ice cream sundae bar and a discussion about the ups and downs of this season and ways to have an even better season next year. The type of Organized Team Activity needed to have a top notch program in which we put our players (students) in the best possible situation to become successful.

As the Head Coach, I think we had a great session and was able to discuss a lot of helpful information that I feel will contribute to even greater success next season. But although this was a voluntary session the numbers were not nearly where they could have been. We have nearly 80 coaches(tutor/mentors) in the program and there were only 4 that attended the session. There was an email reminder that was sent out earlier in the week and it asked all coaches to say if they were IN or OUT, and out of nearly 80 coaches, again there were 4 who attended, about 13 who communicated they couldn't make it, and the rest were 'no call-no show.'

Again, Cabrini Connections', just like the NFL's O.T.A.'s are voluntary, but a player, a team, nor can an organization can be successful or even put themselves in a position for a championship without each and every member of the team making the necessary sacrifices in the off-season.

~ONLY Together....Can We Go From good to GREAT!~