It was August of 2003 and my team at the time, the Pittsburgh Steelers, was hosting the first live game for training camp. As a rookie in the NFL, he had practiced several times with the team, but this was the first time he was going to outfit him for a “full contact goal line scrimmage and tackle.” Setup was easy. The first and second team fouls would go against the first and second team defenses. The offense had four attempts to score a touchdown. If they scored, they won; if they didn’t score, the defense won.
The attack and defense of the first team took to the field first. The offense included Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Plaxico Burress and Tommy Maddox, who faced a defense consisting of Joey Porter, James Farrior and Kendrell Bell. Opposing sides lined up against each other, the umpire blew his whistle to start the play clock, Tommy Maddox called out the cadence, then the ball broke… …from that instant on, the phrase “The next level” was defined for me.
“The next level” is a phrase often used by athletes to refer to the ability to play in a professional field like the NFL, NBA, or MLB. For me, “The Next Level” is not a title that you get, for example, professional soccer player; it’s more of a state of mind, an attitude and a way of thinking when it comes to competing. Therefore, I have proposed three characteristics that I believe all athletes must possess in order to reach “The Next Level”.
1. Play, Practice and Think with 100% Effort. It’s as simple as that. It must have one speed and one speed only: FAST! There is no such thing as “half speed” or “walk through”. Regardless of what people say, this is how we practice and prepare in the NFL. Mike Holmgren said it best one day while practicing in mid-December while preparing for the playoffs: “We run plays at full speed throughout the week, so when the game comes it will be second nature and all you have to do is react.”
two. Being able to “flip the switch” once the whistle blows. This is probably the most mental of the three characteristics. Just picture in your mind a cheetah stalking a gazelle and how meticulous, careful and alert it is when it approaches. Once Gazelle realizes that he is being hunted and starts running, Cheetah “flips the switch” and accelerates to incredible speeds. Within seconds, he has Gazelle in his hands and the hunt is over. This is the same way you should approach each play. An average soccer play lasts an average of 10 seconds or less, but when the ball breaks, a literal switch must be thrown in your mind and every ounce of energy must be released in that moment.
3. to dominate. This word sums up all the qualities of those who reach “The Next Level”. Dominating simply means competing to be the BEST. Does it mean you have to be the best? NO! It simply means that you are working, preparing, practicing and believing that you CAN be the BEST. You may never get it and if you do there will always be someone who will be better. But if you compete and approach everything with 100% effort, dedication, commitment and take responsibility, you will dominate. While playing with the Philadelphia Eagles during our run to the Super Bowl in 2004, starting tight end and three-time Pro Bowl selection Chad Lewis would always tell the team, “It’s time to DOMINATE!” This is literally how you should approach every conditioning, lifting, practice, meeting, and game exercise as an athlete. You don’t approach it any other way!
As I witnessed the explosive power, speed and attitude my teammates displayed that late summer day in Pittsburgh, I came to the conclusion that “The Next Level” is not a title you win when you get to the NFL, it is truly a state of mind and lifestyle for those who achieve greatness in athletics.
