“Focus Daniel San”
My son’s name is Richie, and he’s named after my old man. He’s 10 and 1/2.
Richie once spent four hours glued to a brown leather couch watching YouTube videos of fortnight players. He has the ability to focus, for hours.
I missed his team’s 34-32 basketball victory on the road yesterday afternoon. We chatted about the game briefly via text. He shared that he didn’t play well and went 1-6 from the foul line.
Richie’s latest electronic focus is Netflix hit show Kobra Kai. Not made for a 10 year old, but Richie has seen enough adult material on Tick Tok that this is child’s play, sadly. And now I know, Kobra Kai advertises its scenes on Tick Tock. That was a lightbulb moment for me.
As his coach for other sports, I’ve used the line “focus Daniel son” with him and his teammates. They’d always look at me funny, but it very often got them to stop what they were doing. Well, the light bulb finally went off last night when Mr. Miagi showed up as a flashback in Kobra Kai season …. Whatever.
Richie turned to me and said, “Dad, if I lose focus on the foul line, I want you to yell out “Focus Daniel Son!” That made me smile.
I replied, “You don’t need me or Mr Miagi, you need to develop your Next Play Mentality.” Make a shot, focus on the Next Play. Miss a shot, Next Play it.
It’s a life skill that as a 45 year old, I too need friends and family to help me refocus on things that I can’t control or impact about my future and my kids’ future.
For the thoughtful type, the over-thinkers, and the overly sensitive, developing the Next Play Mentality is life changing.
We look forward to helping more kids this spring, and help them to develop and grow both on and off the court.
Written by Coach Matt Paul