- Great Teams Better Leaders
- Posts
- š The 33% Rule
š The 33% Rule
Every coach has lived this: Two athletes respond to the same situation... and go in completely different directions.
Greg Berge
December 18, 2025
š Good morning! āGreat Teams Better Leadersā is written by Greg Berge. Do you have an idea or something to share? Just hit reply - I read and respond to every message. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.
Letās dive in.
š ONE THOUGHT
The 33% Rule
Every coach has lived this:
Two athletes respond to the same situationā¦ and go in completely different directions.
One brings energy.
One drains it.
Same practice. Same drill. Same moment.
Sue Enquist calls this the 33% Rule, and once you see it, you canāt unsee it.
And honestly? It applies to every locker room, every coaching staff, and every season.
Hereās the simple breakdownā¦
1. The Bottom Third
These are the energy vacuums.
The barfers.
The complainers.
Nothing is ever right. The weather. Their role. Their shoes. The score.
They drain focus, steal momentum, and pull attention away from what matters.
Every team has them.
The key is not letting them get inside your locker room ā or inside your head.
2. The Middle Third
These are your āgood when things are goodā players.
Theyāre positive when theyāre startingā¦
and frustrated when theyāre not.
They love the team when theyāre scoringā¦
and disappear when adversity hits.
They want to be great.
They just havenāt decided theyāre willing to stay steady when it gets hard.
The Middle Third is where most teams either level up or fall apart.
3. The Top Third
These are your standard-keepers.
They donāt need perfect conditions.
They donāt need someone watching.
They donāt need the scoreboard to look a certain way.
They show up the same ā every day ā because thatās who they are.
Being in the Top Third has nothing to do with talent.
Itās about responsibility:
You control your effort.
You control your response.
You control your attitude.
Top Third players choose to add value, not drain it.
The Coaching Moment
Hereās what you can tell your team: āEvery day youāre trending toward one of the thirds. Which direction are your habits pulling you?ā
And hereās the truth for coaches:
We fall into the thirds, too.
There are days we catch ourselves complaining.
There are moments we drift into frustration.
There are times we let negativity creep in.
Awareness is everything.
Once you see it, you can change it.
š„ Watch Sue Enquist Discussing the 33% Rule:
Three Takeaways for Your Team This Week
Define the thirds. Give your players the language. Most kids have never heard it put this simply.
Ask the mirror question. āWhich third were you today?ā Itās uncomfortable, and incredibly honest.
Celebrate Top-Third behaviors. Effort. Communication. Positivity. Resilience. Make those visible.
Great teams arenāt perfect. They spend more time in the top third and less time in the bottom third.
Whatās one small behavior you can model today that pulls your team toward the Top Third?
Good luck!
Greg
P.S. Ready to build the culture, leadership, and coaching standards your program deserves? The Mega Bundle gives you every tool in one place. Start here.
GO PRO!
šØ Coaches: Want a 24/7 assistant built just for you?
Upgrade to GTBL PRO and unlock the Coach OS AI - instant help with practice plans, leadership tools, culture builders, parent talks, and more.
What is included with GTBL PRO?
š”The Coach OS AI
š„ The Winnerās Circle Premier Sunday Newsletter
š„ The Edge Tuesday Premier Newsletter
š§ GB1 Notion Swipe Files
š° 20% off all GB1 products
ā And more on the way!
š GREAT QUOTES
āPressure is something you feel when you donāt know what the hell youāre doing.ā
āPeople say to me all the time, āYou have no fear.ā I tell them, āNo, thatās not true. Iām scared all the time. You have to have fear in order to have courage. Iām a courageous person because Iām a scared person.ā
š LINKS FOR LEADERS
š„ Video: Powerful Tom Brady Speech [LINK]
š ICYMI: Nothing by Nick Saban [LINK]
š° Article: How do you impact winning?
š LOOKING FOR RESOURCES?
Save big when you bundle ALL of my paid resources for coaches into the MEGA Bundle!
Culture Wins OS: The Culture Wins OS is a step-by-step system for coaches who want to build a strong, intentional team culture that lasts. It includes short video lessons, plug-and-play templates, and a powerful, custom AI tool you can use right away. Whether you're just starting to define your culture or want to take it to the next level, this gives you a clear, proven blueprint to build a team-first environment, without the overwhelm. |  |
The Team Leader OS: The Team Leader OS is a simple, powerful leadership system for coaches who want to build real leaders. Itās packed with short videos, ready-to-use tools, and practical strategies you can implement immediately. Whether you're starting a leadership program or looking to strengthen your team culture, this gives you a clear path forward without adding to your workload. |  |
Better Coach OS: Better Coach OS is a practical masterclass for coaches who want to grow beyond the Xās and Oās. It covers everything from leadership and communication to culture, motivation, and handling tough situationsādelivered in short, actionable lessons. Whether you're a new coach or a veteran, it's built to help you lead with confidence and clarity. |  |
š LOOKING FOR MORE?
Interested in Sponsoring an Issue? Reply to this email or click here: Sponsor Great Team Better Leaders.
Are you seeking a Culture or Leadership workshop for your team or school? Contact Greg for more information.
Check out my website for more: www.gb1leadership.com
Need resources? www.gberge.gumroad.com
Contact Me: Greg Berge, [email protected]
Reply