Rally Round the Refs

I was looking for a video that would some kind of vibe...some kind of inspiration...something that would embody the feeling for this segment on Mental Tuffness Training (R) and I thought about the Rage Against the Machine song, 'Bulls on Parade'.  I don't know if that appeals to your music sense, but here is that song -- Bulls on Parade

I was also looking for some type of "rally cry" that would work...some kind of sports (preferably hockey-related) and my own personal favorite comes from Shakespeare's Henry V = St. Crispin's Day Speech -- it is about a bunch of Englishmen who were outnumbered 5 to 1 and are about to go out and kick some f*cking  ass!

"But we in it shall be remembered-

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother."

I did find a hockey video, regardless of what country you call home, that is a 'rally round the family' type of video -- Welcome to Oil Country

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What's the point in all of this?  It's about rallying around your fellow official. 

Guys...you are the third team on the ice.  Rally around each other for f**k sakes! 

Reach out to those who may be quiet...be the one who offers encouragement...be the "GUY WHO EVERYONE WANTS TO REF WITH"...be the one who organizes where to have a few cold ones after the game. 

You be the one.  Now.  Please.

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This is just a small segment of what the referees who are subscribing to the Ultimate Officials Mental Tuffness Training (R).  If you are not a part of this group, you are missing out on newsletters, periodic video and email updates, and ongoing discussion on what it takes MENTALLY to be a Championship Level referee.

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An Open (kind of) Letter to My Brotherhood

Guys,

Here is the link for the first unit: (oops...sorry...you only get that if you are a subscriber).

I will still provide a "hard copy" edition in the mail.  If you notice on the last page, there is some blank space.  The hard copy version will include the "bonus item" for that week.

Why am I insistent on giving you both an electronic version and a hard copy?  Because I want it to be "more real"...

Let me explain:

* Have you ever set goals for yourself?  Did you write those goals down somewhere or did you just keep them in your head?  Did you know that you will be much more likely to succeed in your goals if you WRITE THEM DOWN?  Why?  Because it becomes something concrete.  Anything that just exists in your head is ethereal...it's smoke...it's nothingness...it's not real.

* Notes are something that you can reference from time to time.  I want you referencing this Mental Tuffness (R) stuff, because I want you to change your game mentally and become one tough sun-of-a-bitch.  Once again, a hard copy is real and it doesn't simply go in one ear and out the other.

* Lastly, no one has ever provided a manual on the mental side of the game.  I studied all of this stuff for one whole season (2007-2008).  I even wrote a thesis on the subject.  Sure...you may find some things on the mental game in different small sections of the manuals that USA Hockey provides...but one entire manual devoted to the subject?  Oy vey!  In an area that may make up the difference between the "good" and the "great"...well...we need an entire manual.

ENJOY!

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