"The audience enters the film through the eyes and the hearts of the characters." - James Cameron
Sharing some random thoughts for a Saturday.
What's the "best" warm up? I. Don't. Know. Before big games in big venues (e.g. Boston Garden for high school championships, I've seen five minute "warmups" which frankly are a joke. They don't increase core body temperature, muscle blood flow, maximal oxygen consumption, or range of motion (e.g. dynamic stretching). They don't hone skills. They certainly don't prepare either team for competition. The best we can say is, "it was the same for both teams."
An empowering warmup would likely include 1) mental (video, mindfulness), 2) physiologic (e.g. athletic performance-focused), and 3) basketball skill-specific elements.
If you're a lacrosse or volleyball player playing basketball, frankly you're probably not investing the time, focus, and effort to seek basketball excellence. If you are, I apologize in advance.
1. Exceptional teams connect with the community, the fans. Bring energy to the court and to the classroom. Be "fired up and ready to go" every session. Excellent players and students are. Always do your best.
2. Introduce memorable characters. "Show, don't tell."
Sean Connery is introduced above in "Dr. No." You remember Arnold Schwarzenegger's arrival in The Terminator and Hannibal Lector's interrogation of Jody Foster in Silence of the Lambs.
3. "Make a statement." The Patriots entered the field as a group for their first Super Bowl win, among the biggest upsets in NFL history.
4. "Be yourself." Al Hrabosky made an unmistakable entry.
5. "Be ready." In Above the Line, Urban Meyer told his OSU Buckeyes to be ready when they crossed the red line onto the field. Full engagement occurred from that moment.
6. "Leave an impression." Samuel L. Jackson explained in his MasterClass that your audition is your chance to present the best version of yourself. Even when that job isn't for you, the impression you leave today may get you the next job. "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Start with a firm handshake and connected eye contact.
7. "Stand out from the Get Go." UCONN's Geno Auriemma has piloted the Huskies to eleven National Championships. When he scouts with staff, he expects the target of his observations to stand out from the opening tip. If the assistant has to ask whom they are scouting, he explains the player is not headed for Storrs.
8. "Be intentional." Warmup like Drew Hanlen.
9. "Develop great habits." I'm partial to Jay Wright's "Get 50."
10. "Be here now." Full mental engagement matters.
"The brain has a hard time telling the difference between what you're actually experiencing and what you've simply visualized." Mindful breathing, a mental highlight reel, and performance statements help refine our process.
