NDA Summer to Sidelines: Being Intentional

in-ten-tion-al (adj.) performed with awareness; done deliberately, consciously, or on purpose.

At the beginning of the summer we asked you to identify what kind of teammate you are by choosing a word that strongly describes you from the inside out. Whether it was positive, bold, or hardworking, we hope that you let those qualities shine at camp this summer. It doesn’t stop there though! We are challenging you to carry these qualities with you into football season in order to create a well-rounded team dynamic this fall.

So what can you do to ensure you are sharing your special word with your team? Here are 3 ways to help you to be a more intentional teammate this season!

1. Pom Pump-Up: During your first fall practice, bring your poms, some ribbon, and a Sharpie, and get ready to be inspired! Have everyone write their intent word on a ribbon and then tie it to the center of their poms for a constant reminder that everyone brings something unique to the team. This way, every time you grab your poms from your bag or perform a pom routine, you’ll be reminded of all the qualities that make up your squad.
2. Sticky Goal Setting: As you walk into practice, have everyone grab a sticky note from your coach. Identify a word that you want to become more intentional with and write down a weekly goal to work on that quality. You might strive to be more dedicated by arriving to practice 10 minutes earlier or focus on being confident when learning a new sideline dance. After everyone has their goal written down, collect all the sticky notes and have your coach pass them back at the end of the week. This way you can keep track of your actions throughout the season that helped you become a more intentional teammate!
3. Buddy System: Accountability is key when reaching a new goal. Prior to the first game, have each teammate partner up with someone that has a different word. Throughout the season, encourage your buddy to remain positive when your team is losing, or offer to sit down and plan out the season with them if they want to become more organized. Allowing everyone to share their strengths with another teammate will help create a well-rounded team!