Most NCAA brackets have been destroyed by the many upsets during the first two rounds of the tournament. The unpredictable nature of the tournament is what makes it a fan favorite each year. This year in watching interviews with two teams that pulled off historic upsets, I found it interesting that the coaches stated they had taken their players phones from them after their huge wins. One remarked that they let the players have their phones until midnight and then gave them back at 9 a.m. He even said that he had to put his phone away and apologized for not being able to respond to the overwhelming amount of congratulatory messages and calls he had received.
Why would coaches do this?
- These coaches knew their players needed to rest. If they kept their phones all night, they would be tempted to talk and text all night. Plus, they could read endless articles about themselves and the victory they just won. The coach wanted them to rest and not be texting all through the evening.
- These coaches knew their players needed to be in a small world. A phone opens us up to the entire world and we are influenced by the masses. Our minds get focused on what is going on “out there.” We can even care more about what dings we are getting on social media than the people who are in the room with us. These coaches wanted the players to stay connected with one another.
- These coaches wanted them to keep their focus. The players can read countless news stories and hear all kinds of messages from friends and family. But coaches limit their access to phones, so players can focus on the team. If they are discussing team strategy and watching opponent game film, they have to be focused on the task.
Should we take a tip from these coaches and have boundaries with our phones? ABSOLUTELY!!
- We need to set boundaries on our phones so we get rest. If we don’t control and limit our own screen time it can greatly hinder our own rest. Parents should follow the practice of these coaches and take your kid’s phones each evening so they will rest and be free from the peer pressure and dangers it poses. (See my post on Buy Your Kids an Alarm Clock)
- We need to set boundaries on our phones so we can live in our small world. We can get so caught up in online news stories, social media, and text messaging friends that we neglect those in the room with us. Parents and kids need to take away the stress that comes from the phone and engage in the people most important to them.
- We need to set boundaries on our phones so we can keep focus. Our phones cost us loss productivity at work and home. We can quickly lose an hour of time before we even know it. We exchange valuable time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study for scrolling Facebook. We need to keep focus on enriching our marriage, training our children, and growing closer to the Lord. Satan can use all the many distractions of technology to keep us from staying focused.
Should a coach take your phone?
