“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”
As we wrap up the Vermont Alercio OLine Clinic and begin our Summer OTAs, I reflect on that quote from Henry Ford. It was extremely rewarding to see so many players and their coaches make the long drive to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, spend 4 hours going through drills together, having lunch as a group, then making the return trip home or our own players gathering for the first time since Spring Ball, teams are coming together.
While I sincerely hope coaches and players find value in the instruction received at my OLine Clinics and our OTAs, perhaps the greatest value comes in the players forging relationships that will keep them together. With the class of ’22 graduating, ’23 taking the role of rising seniors, and a few from the class of ’26 stepping up to high school level play, everyone feels a sense of energy and potential. Each player (and coach) now looks to channel that energy in the right direction… to develop the feeling of being part of a team, of being a part of something bigger than themselves… to build cohesion, interdependence, and allegiance while forging bonds and ultimately staying together.
The gates have been opened. Many stepped through and renewed a commitment. Now it is incumbent upon them to work together all summer to achieve the desired success.
Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!
Photos of this years’ Vermont Alercio O’Line Clinic follows:
O Line Skills 