DO YOU HAVE HUNTING DOGS OR SHOW DOGS?

One of the people I enjoy listening to is the former Head Football Coach at the University of Alabama Nick Saban. Recently, I heard him talk about wether you have a team of show dogs or hunting dogs. He then went on to define what he meant by show dogs and hunting dogs. As usual, Coach Saban demonstrates why he was such an effective communicator.

According to Coach Saban some players are "show dogs" which he used as an analogy for players who only played hard if he was being focused on by the camera. Show dogs carried alot about how they looked in their uniform. Show dogs were much more concerned with personal performance than with team execution. Show dogs understand terms like me, myself, & I much more than they identify with we, us, and ours. Show dogs are players that become upset with how many carries they get or passes directed towards them in football. We sometimes call these people "Prima Donnas." While hunting dogs are focused on the task. Give the effort necessary to achieve their goal(s). Do not care if they get recognition or not because the only things that matter is achievement of the task.

A lot can be learned through observation not only about players but also coaches. Some players are not that disappointed if their team losses but they performed well. Also, if you have good ears you can hear some players expound on their performance on the bus, in the locker room. I certainly understand when a player has

a poor game and his team still wins. It is only natural to be disappointed. What concerns me is when an individual player has a good game and his team loses and the player still feels good because of what they did.

The hunting dog dives on the floor regardless of the score because he/she wants to compete for every single possession. Hunting dogs, block out. Hunting dogs work hard to get others open. Hunting dogs will take a charge. Hunting dogs are part of the pack and do not believe their more important than any other dog in the pack. Show dogs look for excuses if things don't go their way. Hunting dogs are totally spent by the end of the game. Sometimes you wonder if show dogs even need to shower after a game. Hunting dogs are willing to do

all the little things needed for a time to reach its potential. Show dogs are not fonding of getting sweaty or doing anything that does not focus attention on him/her.

You more than likely will not have a team full of hunting dogs or show dogs nor do you want either but if you are

lucky enough to have more hunting dogs than show dogs your team will be very competitive, but if the majority of your team is show dogs, prepare for a long long season.

"We all had to start somewhere?"