Overview
The “40 Red Dash” teaches players how to handle frustrating or discouraging moments (Red emotions) without letting them take over. It’s normal to feel Red emotions sometimes, but the goal is to “Run from Red” quickly and get back into the Green (positive and focused). Players will practice bouncing back and improving their “Run from Red speed”—just like improving their 40-yard dash time.
"This was such an important lesson and discussion for me. Our team spends so much time talking about green, I began to feel pressure that showing up green was the only emotion I could display. I felt I couldn’t be myself at times when I began to feel traits other than green traits. Understanding how to be red, manage red and respond to red, helped me so much."
College Freshmen Women’s Basketball Guard
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Lesson Plan
40 Red Dash Lesson Plan
Language Guide
Noncontagious
One doesn’t look to spread it to others
Convicted
The recognition it is not one’s normal behavior
40 Red Dash
Ability to run from “red moments” and return to Green
At Home
Coaches, use the below question, reflection, and action to engage parents, guardians, and other family members in the lessons learned in this exercise.
Suggestions on how to use: Email to parents the day you have taught this lesson, add it to the materials you send home, or text it to text message threads with your players.
- Question: Is it ever okay to be red?
- Reflection: How long does it usually take you to move on from a red moment and back into the green?
- Action: What will you do this week to build up your Run from Red 40-yard dash time?
Coach’s Reflection
Coach, take a moment to reflect on the lesson and how you can lead by example to your players.
Coach, how long does it typically take you to move on from a red moment? What helps you to move on and back into the green?
Think about sharing your experiences with your players this week. It will help them relate to you and see that we all have red moments throughout life, but we can choose to live in the green.