Tourney Week

Tourney Week

I know I haven’t written much for my blog in a while. In truth, there hasn’t been much to write. I haven’t had much time to check out the ultimate chatter on RSD or the legitimate blogosphere or Match Diesel (burn), but I probably wouldn’t comment on their opinions anyway.

Centex is coming up. I’ll post my predictions on Wednesday, but today, I want to talk about what this tournament is and how we as a team can prepare for it.

Other than the UPA series, this tournament is the most important of the season. Although there may be some disagreement, this tournament hosts the top 25 teams in the nation. A strong annual performance is indicative of a strong program. We need to take this tournament seriously.

While many of us think we’re expert crammers from all the experience of college midterms, do not take that same approach this week. If you overwork yourself, you will get hurt or be too worn out by this weekend, and that helps nobody. It’s also counterproductive to take the opposite approach. Do not taper your workouts. This tournament is the middle of the season, not the end of it. Keep your work pace consistent with Sectionals, Regionals and Nationals being the end goal. Instead, use this week to refocus.

Mardi Gras happened a long time ago, and it’s been a while since any of us have been in “tournament mode”. This is the week to dial up that focus. Work to eliminate mental mistakes. Increase your intensity. Realize that drops and poor throws matter to everyone on the team. Execute with precision.

You have one week to knock off the rust of a monotonous practice schedule. Bring the fire to practice, and we’ll set Texas ablaze.