Coach to Coach: The Art of Effective Motivation

I was watching the Baltimore Ravens dominate the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half of a playoff game this weekend with my dad. I was surprised at the lack of energy and focus that Pittsburgh team had displayed for the entire first half. On the first possession of the second half, sure-handed Baltimore running back Ray Rice fumbled and the Steelers recovered. The home fans were filled with a rush of excitement and the Pittsburgh players, despite a two touchdown deficit, displayed a renewed sense of determination and focus. Two plays later the Steelers scored a touchdown and a come from behind victory put Pittsburgh into the AFC Championship game. Immediately after the touchdown, I turned to my father and said, “They had that level of play in them all day. I wonder why it took a fumble recovery to bring it out?”Motivation and momentum are strange things in sports. Why the