Blast start title defence with big road victory

The season started for the Baltimore Blast last weekend in Rochester. We drove up on Friday and played Saturday night. We trained Friday morning in Baltimore before we left and spent some time going over special teams before jumping on a bus for our six-hour  drive. When we arrived at the hotel in Rochester, the players had little time to find something to eat.

 Saturday morning we spent more time in training as we prepared the  players for the game. 

Due to Rochester’s field not being available for us to train on Saturday morning, we had our players meet at the hotel gym to get our workout in. We wanted to make sure they got out of their beds for a light run and stretch to get game ready. We know being on a bus for six hours will affect their legs the next day. 

The game was set for 7pm on Saturday and we knew that we need to come out ready, but we also were aware that this is our first game and things may not flow as a team as we would want. We know that our players will need time to catch themselves physically and mentally because the pace and team cohesiveness will take some time and they would need to manage the game until this happens and not allow too many errors. 

As a team we played really well for most of the game. We started slow but were able to score five goals in last four minutes before the half to put us up 10-4. This was a great lead especially when we are playing away from home. The second half was about maintaining the lead and making sure we continue to build off the hard work that got us the lead before half.  

The game finished 18-8 in our favour. Sure it was a battle at the start, but we were able to fight through it and come away with a great win on the road. This week Saturday we will be playing at home against our major rivals, the Milwaukee Wave.

This will be a great early season test for us as they are very structured and disciplined so if we do not come ready to play we would be in for a long night. 

Saturday will also be an emotional night for the players, fans, sponsors and staff as we will be raising the championship banner and recognizing our 2012-13 team for winning the Championship. It will be very important for our players to stay focus and not let all the glamour and emotions overcome the importance of the game we have to play that night. We need to be able to block out last year’s accomplishments as soon as the whistle blows for the game, because Milwaukee will not give us a break if we decide sit back and enjoy the moment too much. 

Next week I will be looking forward in coming back to Bermuda for a Team Building Workshop I am putting on for some educators. 

Also I will be at Victor Scott Primary School for their Homecoming celebration on Nov 29. After my short trip to Bermuda, I will leave for Atlanta for business for my Power of One Leadership development process. My hectic schedule will see me leave Atlanta and head back to Baltimore as the team prepares to fly out to Milwaukee for our game the following Saturday. 

As my week will be a busy one, it is important to prepare myself physically and mentally as I will have no time to relax. 

Until next time!