Talking about high standards is easy, but what really matters is what you tolerate. If unacceptable behavior goes unchecked, standards drop. As a coach or leader, it's your job to enforce these standards with discipline that builds character, not tears it down.

The biggest misconception? Thinking athletes need to feel bad to do good. But as Dr. J Nelson said, “Where did we ever get the idea that to make kids do better, we must first make them feel worse?”

Let’s ditch the yelling and punishments. Instead, hold athletes accountable with logical consequences like "fix it," "timeout," or "loss of privilege." For example, if a player doesn’t go hard in a drill, have them do it again. If their attitude still isn't right, they sit out. This sends a powerful message: practice is a privilege, an opportunity to get better.

Let’s raise the bar by calling our athletes up, not out. 💪