Players Playbook- Championship Motivation

One of the most dominant sports teams in America has been the North Carolina Women’s Soccer Team. Under Coach Anson Dorrance, North Carolina won 20 of 22 ACC championships, and 20 of 28 NCAA championships. 

Coach Dorrance was asked what motivates championship teams and championship athletes. 

“Playing for championships or titles is very overrated. It always stuns me when someone outside our team fabric comes up before a critical game and assumes that the team’s going to be motivated because of the event. In my experience, teams aren’t motivated for a championship game; they’re motivated for each other.”                  

Anson Dorrance, N.Carolina Women’s Soccer

A key question for players- 

In the off-season, as a player are you helping to build a culture of WE or a culture of me?

All teams are “tougher together.” Next season when things get tough, will your team have more toughness than your opponent? The answer will depend on if you have a team of WE’s or a team of me’s.