🏆 Sharpen the AX

💭 ONE THOUGHT
Sharpen the AX

The teams that win aren’t always the biggest, fastest, or most talented.

They’re the ones who are prepared.

As Abe Lincoln put it:

The same applies to coaching, leadership, and life.

You can’t fake preparation.

A dull ax makes the job harder. A sharp one makes every swing count.

Inky Johnson said it best, “If you want to be great, you have to be willing to prepare, prepare, and prepare.”

So the real question is: Are you sharpening your ax daily or just swinging wildly, hoping for the best?

The Power of Preparation

The more prepared and focused you are, the better you’ll be when it’s time to perform or compete.

But if you skip steps in the process, you might be working hard but getting nowhere.

The same applies to coaching and leadership.

Talent and energy alone don’t make a team prepared.

They need to be developed and sharpened…every single day.

Great teams aren’t just built on talent. They’re built on:

✅ Daily improvement – The small things done right, over and over.
✅ Attention to detail – The willingness to refine and correct.
✅ Commitment to fundamentals – The foundation of everything.

🎥 Watch how preparation leads to confidence in sports by Eli Straw:

How do you Sharpen the Ax?

1. Start with the Basics - A dull ax isn’t dangerous; it’s ineffective. The same is true for teams that ignore fundamentals. Conditioning, communication, and fundamentals are always the foundation of success, and great teams never stop sharpening them.

2. Consistency is Key - Sharpening an ax isn’t a one-time event. It’s something you do daily to maintain the edge. Your team must approach every practice, meeting, and rep with the same mindset.

3. Pressure Reveals Readiness - A sharp ax makes chopping easier. A well-prepared team thrives under pressure because it has been refined daily. Preparation turns pressure into an opportunity, not a liability.

Sharpening the ax reminds me of the Tomato Theory in coaching and leadership. I wrote about the Tomato Theory a while back…

What Happens When You Skip the Sharpening?

How many talented teams never reach their potential?

They had strength but lacked precision when it mattered most. By the end of the season, their ax was dull.

Without consistent sharpening, even the best teams break down when it matters most.

Good teams sharpen the ax all season long.

Three Takeaways for Coaches

1. Refine the Fundamentals Daily – Never stop working on the basics. Passing, footwork, communication. These are the sharpening stones of a great team.

2. Create a Consistent Routine – Build habits that sharpen your team every day. Effort, film study, skill work - Consistency is key.

3. Pressure-Test Your Team – Simulate game-like pressure in practice. A sharp ax doesn’t struggle under pressure, it delivers with precision.

Final Thought

Sharpening an ax isn’t just about making it sharp, it’s about making it effective. Coaching is no different. Daily refinement creates a team that’s ready for anything.

When it’s time to swing, a sharp ax makes all the difference.

Good luck!
Greg

P.S. Want to sharpen your coaching ax? Better Coach OS gives you the tools to refine your skills and lead your team to success, AND it's 25% off for a limited time!👉 Get Better Coach OS Today

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 🔗 LINKS FOR LEADERS

🆇 ICYMI → PJ Fleck - More games are lost than are won. [LINK]

🎥 VIDEO → Miracle Speech [LINK]

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