What does it take to make a national champion?

[Stone(Cold)]

Only giving one-word responses, I want to know what is the single most important part or aspect of any team to become a national champion. (Some examples you might consider: talent, tradition, coaching....) but you can only write one word.

Its the general idea that, "If we get this one thing down, everything else will fall into place."

For me:
commitment

[thomasr22]

This poll is flawed because it is missing a major option:

Flip

[unclaxman23]

leadership

[scooter]

luck

[Campbell]

I said leadership. With good leadership from a coach and club leaders all the other things will fall into place. Not all at once, but they will come in time.

[CATLAX MAN]

The most important trait is not listed in this poll........a good defense. You won't win a championship without a good defense.

[MinesGoallie45]

Developed talent

[JRA]

You can have a great Defense but without an offense your D will burnout. Its not talent, how many talented teams don't win.
Plenty of teams have commitment, yet lack that ring.

It all comes down to the coach, Leadership hangs on the coach, commitment hangs on the coach. A developed team/defense/offense/recruiting.

Best teams in the League CSU COACHING, BYU COACHING,

John Wooden, Phil Jackson, Lombardi, wherever they go teams turn to gold.

If you absolutely want it set in stone to one word the COACH is that one word with which a consistent national contending program is hinged upon.

[AflacLax]

Great point JRA. Now imagine what makes those coahes great - commitment. They're commited to the hard work needed to make the team successful and that trickles down to the players.

[BigheadTodd]

You can have a great Defense but without an offense your D will burnout. Its not talent, how many talented teams don't win.
Plenty of teams have commitment, yet lack that ring.

It all comes down to the coach, Leadership hangs on the coach, commitment hangs on the coach. A developed team/defense/offense/recruiting.

Best teams in the League CSU COACHING, BYU COACHING,

John Wooden, Phil Jackson, Lombardi, wherever they go teams turn to gold.

If you absolutely want it set in stone to one word the COACH is that one word with which a consistent national contending program is hinged upon.

Jon says this only because he was recently named Utah HS Coach of the Year. Congrats.

[Has No Left]

You can have a great Defense but without an offense your D will burnout. Its not talent, how many talented teams don't win.
Plenty of teams have commitment, yet lack that ring.

It all comes down to the coach, Leadership hangs on the coach, commitment hangs on the coach. A developed team/defense/offense/recruiting.

Best teams in the League CSU COACHING, BYU COACHING,

John Wooden, Phil Jackson, Lombardi, wherever they go teams turn to gold.

If you absolutely want it set in stone to one word the COACH is that one word with which a consistent national contending program is hinged upon.

Jon says this only because he was recently named Utah HS Coach of the Year. Congrats.

Actually, USLacrosse/Utah Chapter Head Coach of the Year, and he gets round-trip airfare and 3 nights accommodations in Philadelphia (last time - Baltimore 2009) for the 2008 USLacrosse National Convention in January for having done so - Congrats to JRA for a job well done!

[x1dschm]

It is not my intention to diminish the need of coaching, scheme, health, player improvement and luck, but as the old saying goes, "You can't win the Kentucky Derby with a donkey."

[The Hammer]

Heart.


IMO The most underrated thing in lacrosse.