It was August 2003 and my team at the time, the Pittsburgh Steelers, was holding the first live scrimmage for training camp. As a rookie within the NFL I had practiced numerous times with the team, but this was the very first time I was going to suit it up for a "full contact and tackle objective line scrimmage". The set up was simple. The first and second team offenses would go against the first and second team defenses. The offense had four downs to score a touchdown. If they scored, they won; if they failed to score the defense won.
The very first team offense and defense took the field 1st. The offense included Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Plaxico Burress, and Tommy Maddox who went against a defense consisting of Joey Porter, James Farrior, and Kendrell Bell. The opposing sides lined up against one another, the referee blew his whistle to start the play clock, Tommy Maddox known as out the cadence, then the ball was snapped... from that instant, the phrase "The Next Level" was defined for me.
"The Next Level" is really a phrase generally thrown around by athletes referring to the capacity to play in a professional arena for example the NFL, NBA or MLB. To me "The Next Level" is not a title you gain, e.g. Professional Football Player; it really is a lot more a state of mind, an attitude and way of thinking when competing. As a result, I've come up with three characteristics that I think all athletes need to posses in order to achieve "The Next Level".
1. Play, Practice and Believe with 100% Effort. It can be as easy as that. You must have 1 speed and one speed only - Quickly! There's no such thing as "half speed" or "walk thru". Regardless of what men and women say, that's how we practiced and prepared inside the NFL. Mike Holmgren said it finest 1 day whilst practicing within the middle of December even though 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."
2. Be Able to "Flip the Switch" Once the Whistle Blows. This is most likely probably the most mental of the three characteristics. Just picture inside your mind a Cheetah stalking a gazelle and how meticulous, careful and alert it really is as it sets up its approach. When that Gazelle notices it's being hunted and starts running, the Cheetah "flips the switch" and accelerates to extraordinary speeds. Inside seconds it has the Gazelle in its grasp as well as the hunt is over. This is the same way you should approach each play. An average football play lasts an average of 10 seconds or much less, but when that ball is snapped a literal switch need to be flipped inside your mind and each and every ounce of energy really should be released at that moment (If you are interested, see this site for more information regarding custom footballs.
3. Dominate. This 1 word sums up every single good quality of those that accomplish "The Next Level". To dominate simply means competing to be the most effective. Does it mean you have to be the best? NO! It just means you might be working, preparing, practicing and believing You are able to be the most effective. You might in no way achieve it and in case you do there will always be a person that will be far better. But in the event you compete and approach every thing with 100% effort, dedication, commitment, and hold your self accountable, you will dominate. While I was playing with the Philadelphia Eagles during our run up to the Super Bowl in 2004, starting tight end and 3-time Pro Bowl selection Chad Lewis would constantly tell the team, "Time to DOMINATE!" That's literally how you need to approach each and every conditioning drill, lift, practice, meeting and play as an athlete. You approach it no other way!!
When I witnessed the explosive power, speed and attitude that my teammates displayed that late summer day in Pittsburgh, I came to the conclusion that "The Next Level" is not a title you gain whenever you make it to the NFL, it can be genuinely a state of mind and way of life for those that obtain greatness in athletics.