Stand tall, talk small, play ball.
Our goal is stopping yours.
My blood, my sweat, your tears.
We're busting ours to kick yours.
What is it about motivating sportsmen and women? Is it really necessary to have slogans and watch words that small brains can recall at the moment of truth? When I read the above, all I can picture is a fat, American, College coach who, whilst sweating profusely, tries in vain to motivate his charges because they can't motivate themselves.
Isn't taking to the pitch, track or course not motivation enough? If not, why not? Why are you there? Are you the England rugby player who's there for the next £35k? Are you there because your dad's a bit pushy? Are you simply on the pull?! When push comes to shove and you're over the final putt, about to take the penalty or 23 miles into your Ironman run, chances are your fat sweaty coach/dad isn't going to be there to wind you up - you need to do it yourself.
Whatever the sport, it's the men and women who don't need cheesy lines that impress. Lawrence Dallaglio, Shaun Edward, Tom Curtis (Triathlete) - all fearsome men of honour and integrity who train and train because they know it's value and who push and push on the day because 2nd just isn't good enough and their own self respect won't let them finish knowing they could have given more.
The other problem with motivational chat is that it often loses perspective. Take the US Ryder Cup team who shipped in a war veteran to fire them up before tee off. Is golf ever war? I doubt it. How disrespectful to liken what for most is a leisure pursuit to a life and death situation. Whoever went into battle in slacks and a cashmere blend V-neck?
So, next time you think some Any Given Sunday-style pre match chat might be the cutting edge you need, have a look at yourself. If your brain is too small to provide adequate self motivation, it's unlikely to remember the irritating lines either. Man Up.
