"To properly teach toughness, a program must cultivate a culture of toughness. In toughness programs, overcoming obstacles is the norm. A right of passage. In programs without toughness, the shortcut is the way. Players are encouraged to find the easy way out.
Within any program, you have three groups. The Alpha's, the Fence Guys and the Puppies.
In a program with a culture of toughness, the Alpha's hold the greatest influence on the group. The Alpha's have endured tough times, survived adversity and overcome obstacles. They have been through battle and have the scars to prove it. The Alpha's are looked up to by the Fence Guys. The Fence Guys, are the ones that see the obstacle in front of them, but have not yet begun their journey. Some of them will follow the lead of the Alpha's, and take the walk down adversity road. Others will reject the obstacle and instead pursue other means. This group becomes the Puppies. They must be weeded out immediately by your Alphas.
In a program without a culture of "toughness," the Puppies hold the greatest influence on the group. The puppies are told that they are great. That simply providing the group with their presence contributes great value to the group. They are protected from adversity and provided with shortcuts to maneuver around obstacles. The Puppies are observed by the Fence Guys, who begin to mimmick the moves made by the Puppies and in time, they too master the art of the shortcut. Last in this hierarchy, you have the Alpha's. Aware of the false realities working within the group, they grow frustrated or worse, avoid your program all together.
Toughness is not complicated. It is simply the act of seeing an obstacle and understanding the value of getting to the other side of it. If we are not teaching our players that, then what are we teaching them?"
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