VIRTUE OF THE WEEK - UNITY
INTRODUCTION TO START PRACTICE/GAME
Our virtue this week is UNITY - The strength to be one in mind, heart and soul. (Share a personal story from your playing days when you are on a really UNITED team.)
STORY TO TELL
THE BUNDLE OF STICKS
A certain man had several sons who were always arguing with one another, and, try as he might, he could not get them to live together in harmony.
So he decided to convince them of their folly by giving them an exercise to do.
He had them fetch a bundle of sticks and then he invited each in turn to break the bundle of sticks across his knee.
All tried and all failed.
Then he undid the bundle, and handed them the sticks one by one, and asked them to try breaking the one stick across their knee.
This they did with ease.
"There, my boys," said the father, "united you will be more than a match for your enemies: but if you quarrel and separate, your weakness will put you at the mercy of those who attack you. "
Union is strength.
QUESTIONS TO ENGAGE PLAYERS
Are we a UNITED team?
How can we be more UNITED?
RESOLUTION TO WORK ON DURING PRACTICE/GAME
Let’s practice the virtue of UNITY right now by truly playing as a team, passing, encouraging and never criticizing one another.
Coach, look for players living UNITY especially those who might have struggled with it beforehand. Tell them you noticed their effort and that you are proud of them.
MENTORING MOMENT TO SHOW YOUR PLAYERS THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THEM
Ask individually as many players as you can during practice/game the below.
Which member of our team helps us to be the most unified?
Tell me about your brothers and sisters.
WAY TO LIVE THE VIRTUE OF UNITY THIS WEEK
No arguing with our brothers or sisters. Let’s get along, share and help our brothers and sisters as much as we can all week.
Remind players to tell their parents and siblings the story about the bundle of sticks.
VIDEO CLIP ABOUT UNITY
Click on the below link and consider emailing this to all your parents to have them watch with their kids as a way to help foster the virtue of the week.
You could also consider bringing your tablet to practice and showing the video to your players as well.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO
UNITY QUOTES FOR THE WEEK
*Each day this week communicate the quote of the day. In person, email, text, tweet … whatever works best for you
MONDAY
"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success." - Henry Ford
TUESDAY
“You cannot love a thing without wanting to fight for it.” - Gilbert K. Chesterton
WEDNESDAY
“Every team requires unity. A team has to move as one unit, one force. If the team doesn’t do this, it goes down in defeat. You win or lose as a team, as a family.”
- Jack Kemp
THURSDAY
“Teammates are there for each other even after the noise of the crowd is gone.” - Jim Brown
FRIDAY
“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work.” - Vince Lombardi
SATURDAY
“1 goal, 10 assists.” - Adidas commercial
SUNDAY
“A successful team beats with one heart.” - Sarah Redmond
VIRTUE IMAGE
*Share this image with your players to create a visual to help them understand how the virtue of charity is a strength.
UNITY
The strength to be one in mind, heart and soul.
