- Shut up. Listen and Learn.
As the new guy in the Locker Room it’s extremely important to get off on the right foot. Football Locker Rooms all have a hierarchy. If you Shut Up, Listen and Learn. You will be able to quickly figure out who everyone on the team respects and listens to. If you can impress the Leaders on the team with your work ethic and play. There’s a high probability that you will make the team and have a chance to be a contributor. Focus on the teammates and coaches who’s opinions matter!
2. (1) Big Play a Day!
Playmakers begin to make their presence felt very quickly in training camp. NFL Rookies need to find a way to make at least one “Big Play” every day to stay off the chopping block. Every football player is an individual contractor. All that matters in training camp is “YOU!”
If you’re focused on your roommate making the team and not focused on your own job, you’ll be the one getting cut or placed at the end of the bench after training camp.
If you’re joining a New football team. The fastest way to gain friends and support is to make Big Plays. All you need is One-A-Day!
3. 10 Minutes Early. 10 Minutes Late
There are many ways athletes can show how bad they want a job. All coaches appreciate the athletes who are willing to invest extra time into their craft. When you really checkout how someone invests their time, it’s never too difficult to predict their future results.
When you’re the “New Guy,” you should get to all of your football commitments (practice, film, workouts, etc.) 10 minutes earlier and stay 10 minutes later than everyone else you are competing with. It will ensure you always catch the right people’s attention in the room, and are well respected on your team.
Side Note: When you’re New on the Football Team, don’t piss off the Superstar! If Tom Brady likes to be the first one in the facility at 5am. Don’t get there at 4:30 am and try to compete with the Goat! You have to earn the right to step to guys like Tom Brady, Aaron Donald, Julio Jones and other greats.
Start with being (10) minutes earlier and staying (10) minutes later, than everyone at your level first. NFL Rookies should focus on outperforming other NFL Rookies, and College Freshman need to focus on College Freshman. Standout amongst your immediate peers and then work your way up the chain of command from there.
4. Warm and Welcoming Smile
When you’re joining a New Football Team (especially at the NFL or NCAA level), many people are evaluating you. It’s very important that the general consensus in the Athletic Building is that people like having you around.
It’s a lot easier to cut out the cancer, rather than deal with it.
Athletes have to realize that it takes more than just the players on-the-field to win at the professional and college level. Everyone in the entire football program and organization, has to move with a certain synergy and energy. You can’t have a rogue Strength and Conditioning Coach or Academic Support Director not following through with the Head Coaches orders.
It’s counter-productive to the success of the team. Every football season certain guy’s make the team or receive more opportunity on the team, because people in the athletic department or football organization like them and are rooting for them.
A Warm and Welcoming Smile will help you become that football player that everyone wants to see Win!
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