The ​​Next Play Mentality Abroad

New Place. New Knowledge.

Next Play is more than just words for me. I have embraced it in my life, and my wife, parents and players can all attest. This phrase and more importantly, mentality, helps to keep me present and focused on what I have control over. 

Some examples of this mentality have been paramount in making my trip abroad both possible & enjoyable.

First off, Coach Meg and I were set to leave from Newark airport on Christmas Night. Around 11pm on Christmas Eve we began to check-in for our flight. Meg’s check-in went smoothly, but my confirmation code was not working and we finally got United Airlines on the phone. I was told that my seat was never ticketed, so I had NO seat for the flight.

By now it was 1am on Christmas morning. Meg was flying to Frankfurt, Germany at

9pm and I had NO flight! Ultimately, instead of getting upset I figured a way to get a flight that night to Frankfurt through Zurich, but I would have to fly from JFK, and not with Meg.

Mindset → Positive Outcome

In the end, the roundtrip ticket I booked saved me money compared to the two one-way tickets and although we had to fly separately, we both landed in Frankfurt and could begin the trip as scheduled.

Another time the Next Play Mentality helped me, occurred when I arrived in Alicante, Spain alone, as Meg returned stateside. I left the airport and started looking for the bus. Unfortunately, I narrowly missed the first bus because they changed the name/number of the line, which I only understood once the bus had left.

I got aboard the next bus some 25 minutes later and was on my way to the Airbnb. As I got close to Alicante city center, I received a message that my Airbnb was NOT available and I had NO place to stay. 

I got off at the next stop with NO idea where I would stay. I looked for an Airbnb that was available and affordable. Luckily, I found one and was able to check-in not long after getting off the bus. 

Mindset → Positive Outcome

It turned out to be a newly renovated apartment and the perfect place for me to stay with an awesome host who gave me great recommendations.

At no time did I get worked up about these situations, I took a deep breath and said, “Next Play! Let’s find a way!” This mentality we teach on the court will not only help you be successful on the court but more importantly, in Life!

Coach Ryan