The 24 Hour Rule: Win or Lose

This past Friday October 4^th, the HS Football team that my husband assistant coaches here in Houston, TX lost its first game of the regular season.  Before this game we were 3-0 (we were actually 4-0; one game was cancelled by our opponent due to inclement weather and other things.)

This loss stung just a bit more because the game was played against our closest district rivals.  We had never lost a game at home against them, it was homecoming for us, and the game was televised locally.

Our team was recently featured in a local HS athletes’ magazine as the cover story.  Last year we had an undefeated regular season; the first in the school’s history.  We were also only a game away from going to play in the state championship for our division.

There were a number of challenges that affected the team’s roster during last week and even required the coaching staff to rethink the game plan just days before game day. However, as my Hubby Coach told me, those are all just excuses.  They didn’t get the job done; another win.

As his wife, it is hard for me to see my husband go through the flood of emotions that he does as he processes what just occurred.  I think he typically experiences it harder than most because he has been a head coach for most of his professional career and he is responsible for the offensive side of the ball(getting the points on the scoreboard.)  He currently serves in the role of Assistant Head Coach and Co-Offensive Coordinator.

The amazing thing about him though and I think this holds true for most veteran coaches and players; they have a 24 hour rule.  If they win or lose, they only allow themselves 24 hours to celebrate or mull around about a loss and then they start preparing for the next game.  They do not allow themselves enough time to get over confident or depressed.

I think it’s an excellent rule to apply in general to any of life’s challenges and successes.  I think we always should strive to complete our next goal and not be so concerned about the past; evaluate it, learn from it and move on.

© 2013, Lela Jefferson Fagan. All rights reserved.

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