Below is an explanation of what we do in our Synergy Classroom… Why we do it … its importance… and how it connects to what Synergy believes in. If you miss a Training Session, or you need reminders, you can always refer to this page to learn and review.
I started and coached several club basketball programs in Salmon Arm over the years; however, when starting Synergy in 2014, our goal was to create an elite basketball opportunity for our players in the area by combining both on-the-court and off-the-court opportunities, practice, and instruction. So, we searched out the “best” programs and studied what they did and what they believed in. Without a doubt, Point Guard College (PGC) is one of the best, if not the best, Basketball Training Program in the World. PGC is more than skills, drills and basketball. PGC prides itself in teaching leadership and developing character, and its classroom sessions have become as important as what the program teaches on the court. Dick DeVensio - the creator of PGC and one of the greatest basketball minds in the sport - was an innovator and Pioneer for change in the game of basketball. To this day, DeVensio’s book Stuff Good Players Should Know is the Bible in the sport of Basketball. The other organization that inspired us was Focus 3, which is a company - run by Tim Kight - that teaches strategies to build and develop Behaviour, Leadership, and Culture. Focus 3 works with teams, groups, schools, school districts, businesses, and organizations all over North America, and I ts teachings have helped Synergy to develop our own set of Standards and Core Values that focus on Behaviour, Leadership, and Culture.
With Mental Fitness … mental health …at the forefront of everything in society, good sound sport programs, like Synergy Basketball, have become a training ground where young athletes learn to work on their mental fitness, develop their skills, and open doors and opportunities moving forward. When studying Elite programs and what the “best” programs in sport have done over the years and continued to do now, … programs like PGC, UCLA Bruins (Coached under John Wooden), UVIC Vikings/Vikettes (Coached under Ken and Kathy Shields), the UVIC Rowing Team, Duke Basketball (Coach Mike Krzyzewski), and Villanova Basketball (Coach Jay Wright) … I discovered that all had a common thread that linked their iconic programs together. More than basketball or their sport, these programs focused on behaviour, culture, and leadership. Creating routines, tone, and a way to do things, was developed through character, team, and a sense of common sacrifice.
In order to grow and support our Program in Salmon Arm, I linked the TRU Men’s Basketball Program, at Thompson Rivers University - just down the highway from Salmon Arm (Coached by Scott Clark) - to help guide and develop our Synergy Basketball Program. A lot of what Scott Clark was doing with his TRU Men’s Basketball Team reflected the teaching of both Focus 3 and PGC; plus, by directly connecting Synergy to the TRU Men’s Basketball Program, it gave our participants, in Synergy, a direct link to elite coaching/mentoring from high level coaches and athletes. It also gave our participants an opportunity to dream and see what was possible by seeing, being around, and listening to the stories from both the athletes and coaches living their dreams at a high level. Finally, by being connected to TRU and its Men’s Basketball Program, it opened doors for our athletes, as many of them played on Zone Regional Teams, made and played on Provincial Teams, and played on BC Summer Games Teams. When athletes can see, on a regular basis, what’s possible and listen to the stories from those who are living their own dreams, it becomes a powerful source of Inspiration.
Synergy believes in the Infinite Game and refuses to give into the finite game that is too often focused on in today’s youth, high school, and community sports. Taking the easy way out is not an option when knowing that the Process is the most important part of the Journey. The Infinite Game is long, difficult, hard, and full of both Peaks and Valleys, and we know the Journey through the Infinite Game cannot be carried out alone. Therefore, below are videos of inspiration, lessons, teachings, and guidance that tell stories of how one could navigate the Process, set goals, dream big, and possibly open doors.
I will include the videos we show at each Training Session so that those who miss can see what we’ve learned and what stories/lessons we are using to continue the Process to chase our Dreams. Practice Topics, focus, lessons, will be presented below from the most recent practice. Scroll down to see the videos and presentation topics from the earlier practices that began our Synergy Fall Season. Enjoy.
Training Session … Tuesday, October 10, 2023
https://youtu.be/D-1vD4TuL4Y?si=RUsW4EPmruWJmUdo Focus 3. (December 4, 2019).”The Edge - Part 3 #48” [Video]. YouTube. … Watch the first 30 seconds of this video, then click on the link to the video below. In this video, TK explains that making a breakthrough over the Edge “has nothing to do with talent or IQ… It has everything to do with toughness.” Toughness is something that coaches - me included - talk about all the time; however, up until ten plus years ago, when I was introduced to Tim Kight, I - like the majority of coaches - never fully taught what toughness really is or how one can learn to be tough. One will often find it difficult to “take a charge” … “dive on the floor” … “handle both winning and losing with grace” … “be coached” - take feedback from coaches and teammates … “deal with/handle their emotions” … “handle failure and disappointment” … if one lacks toughness. Toughness is not taking a hit, or delivering a hit. Toughness is not being over aggressive, or ultra competitive. “Toughness is a choice” as TK says. Toughness is the ability to control/handle/deal with one’s emotions, mindset, and mental state. Again, as TK states, “toughness has nothing to do with talent or IQ … talent is a gift, toughness is a choice.” So, make the choice. Below, Manu Watsa from PGC, provides five (5) ways/things one can do everyday to build mental toughness. His (PGC’s) Five Ways to Build Mental Toughness may seem simple and insignificant, however they work and have become the backbone of Synergy’s teachings for the past seven years… and you know what… they work!
https://youtu.be/1zJ6QOqOwk8?si=PVXigsQrET7r-8G1 PGC Basketball. (October 7, 2016). “Habit of Excellence - PGC Basketball - Mental Toughness” [Video]. YouTube. Our Habits make us who we are … a habit is like a muscle that needs constant work and repetition to grow, develop, and become strong… Work these “Five Ways of Becoming Mentally Tough” into your daily fabric… Work them into your daily routine. If you do these five strategies daily, you might just become more mentally tough! … 1. Wake up early… don’t hit the “Snooze” … When your alarm goes off, get out of bed!… 2. Make your bed… as a habit… Make it PGC Basketball. (October 7, 2016). “Habit of Excellence - PGC Basketball - Mental Toughness” [Video]. YouTube.! … 3. Do Work… Workout! I would attend AM Open Gym at SMS everyday and never miss.. To do that, one would need to play both volleyball and basketball… Two sports that are linked with similar motor skills, development, and physical literacy that compliment each other… 4. When the School Day is done, Study First… Do your Homework… All “Students” have Homework every day …Yes… Every day! Homework = Read, Re-Read, Write, Re-Write, Review… Daily! The Good Teaching and Practice of doing Homework equates to Ten Minutes of Homework, every night, every year, for each grade … for example: if one is in grade one, they would have 10 minutes of homework each night… if one is in grade 6, they would have 60 minutes of Homework each night… and if one was in grade 8, one would have 80 minutes of Homework every night… Now, that’s if one wants to be a good student and that’s if one wants to develop mental toughness. … 5. Eat Something you don’t like regularly… It’s tomatoes for me… I even grow them now and eat them off the vine “regularly” … I am not going to let tomatoes become tougher than me! … Why do these five strategies… because you don’t want to … usually, they are the last things you want to do and your least favourite. When we do things that we don’t want to do and those things are good for us, they are usually the things that help build mental toughness. Reminder… Talent is a gift…Toughness is a Choice. Many have asked Coach Smith …me… how have you been able to do what I do for over 30 years … every year … daily… Well, I know I am mentally tough and I developed that Habit of becoming Mentally Tough over the years by doing the things I don’t and didn’t want to do; however, I knew they were good for me and those who I serve. Again… Make the Choice!
Training Session … Thursday, October 5, 2023
https://youtu.be/sj0mENy2uD0?si=w9-FhTpPbSbl3drS PGC Basketball. (October 7, 2016). “Habit of Excellence - PGC Basketball - Mental Toughness” [Video]. YouTube. “The habit of excellence can become enjoyably addictive.” ~ Dick DeVenzio … Practice your mental toughness every day and strive for excellence. Your Habits are a muscle and if you don’t train your good habits, your bad habits will get the best of you.
Training Session … Tuesday, October 3, 2023
https://youtu.be/qC20pbv7PKg Focus 3. (November 27, 2019).”The Edge - Part 2 #47” [Video]. YouTube. . “The Edge - Part 2” … External Edge vs an Internal Edge… Like TK says “Most people get fixated on the External Edge and don’t take care of the Internal Edge… feelings, thought process, mindset, emotions, etc… By watching and listening to TK’s videos, his message/teaching act as Reminders of what’s important. Focusing on what’s happening on the inside of you is more important than focusing on what’s happening outside and around you. It’s important to acknowledge our feelings. Our feelings are real and how we feel is important; however, one needs to change their focus… don’t fixate on the negative feelings. Instead, focus on how to change those feelings from a negative to a positive. Focus on a growth mindset and work on your mental fitness. Approach difficult situations/tasks with an I can attitude. Synergy will provide tools and practical approaches when helping our athletes navigate their “Edges.” Stay tune.
Training Session … Tuesday, September 26, and Thursday, September 28, 2023
https://youtu.be/vyZcRIP3m6w Focus 3. (November 21, 2019).”The Edge - Part 1 #46” [Video]. YouTube. “The Edge - Part 1” … I like taking a page from Sean Covey (author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens) … always start with Habit #2 … Begin with the End in Mind.” How can one go anywhere, if they don’t know where they are headed. What does the End look like for you? The “End” could be the end of a class, the end of a day, the end of the week, the end of the month, the end of the year, the end of middle school, or high school, or the end our one’s life (What does your funeral look like… whose there? How many people show up to pay their respects?). The “End” is different for everyone. I start with TK’s “Magic” and then jump to the “End” of the 52 “2 Minutes with TK” because like TK says, “We are all on a journey… Here is where we are and then there is what’s possible.” Life is a journey and along our journey, we have to make decisions that will shape us, mold us, and take us on paths that change the course of our existence and futures. We don’t know what’s possible unless we make tough decisions, refuse to give up, don’t quit, and take on the challenges that face us. What prevents many from ever seeing or reaching their potential are the Edges that they face each day. The Edge is a breaking point … a barrier. The Edges that we face throughout life are the barriers that do one of two things… 1. They can act as obstacles that prevent or deter us from moving forward … they can place so much fear in us that we quit/give up or give in…or … 2. They can act as obstacles or barriers that inspire us to push through, never give up and/or move on. The Edge, as TK says, is a tipping point. If one can make a breakthrough over the edge then they have a chance to achieve what’s possible. We can only ever have a chance to see or reach what’s possible by making continuous breakthroughs over the Edge… Do you show up on-time? Do you come prepared? Do you listen? Do you follow instructions and do what’s expected? Do you express genuine gratitude regularly? Do you give you best effort all the time? Do you approach all opportunities with great effort and enthusiasm? Do you lead by example and inspire others in a positive way? Do you complete all work/assignments/tasks to the best of your abilities and on-time? These are the daily “little nails” at school that are “Edges” for many students/athletes, and they are the “Edges” that impede progress for many. Daily Mantra - Say this to yourself daily and believe in what you are saying … … “What I do every day matters… I don’t quit… I don’t give up … I believe in Me.”
Training Session … Thursday, September 21, 2023 …
https://youtu.be/hJe8sx94q8U Focus 3. (January 8, 2019). “Magic” [Video]. YouTube. “Magic” … I use this lesson to begin every sport season - first practice. Whether it is passing or setting or serving a volleyball, or shooting - dribbling - passing a basketball - or building a bond and friendship that my high school teammates and I built over the years … Magic can be created anywhere. Metaphorically, the simple skills of anything is what I compare to a simple card trick, and as the skills/technique/demand for knowledge and understanding go up, the ability to produce the “Magic” becomes more difficult and without-a-doubt, more time consuming. Creating “Magic” isn’t easy. It takes countless hours, time, and practice in order to build the mechanics that produces the outcome. I love what Tim says, “You can have Magic in any part of your life, if your willing to do the work to produce the mechanics, that produces the outcome.” Relationships, work, health, business, etc… Magic cam be seen all around us on a daily basis because someone is willing to put in the work required. So much more to say… What do you think?
Training Session … Tuesday, September 19, 2023…
https://youtu.be/rCb-IFY_rp0?si=PaubNdusAacmaFeo … Part 1 PGC. (Sept 29, 2020). “Lessons in Leadership - Doing Extra - Part I” [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/rCb-IFY_rp0?is=jL_WWwfuT9YuBjpa
https://youtu.be/vLXB4Rm6aEs?si=dR5THBcleKp2g_Me … Part 2 PGC. (Sept. 30, 2020). “Lessons in Leadership - Doing Extra - Part II - The Story of 3 Brothers” [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/vLXB4Rm6aEs?si=OYP3vQsOlJU5DwAl
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