Behavior Change is the Game Changer

How our 'Win the Day POD' has impacted Performance

In the high-stakes world of college football, the margin between victory and defeat often comes down to the smallest details. Our player development program has implemented an initiative that demonstrates how systematic habit formation and daily intention-setting can significantly affect athletic performance.

Our "Win the Day" (internally known as our Padawons) POD has shown success in helping our players establish performance-enhancing habits, identify improvement areas, and translate intentions into on-field execution. Recent survey data from player participants reveals a comprehensive picture of how this methodical approach is reshaping player development.

The Science of Systematic Improvement

At its core, Win the Day operates on a simple but powerful premise: consistent, incremental improvement creates extraordinary results over time. The program integrates principles from James Clear's "Atomic Habits" with sports performance psychology to create a three-pronged approach:

1. Gap identification: Players systematically analyze the difference between current and desired performance

2. Habit formation: Specific behaviors are designed to close these gaps and tracked through the HabitShare app

3. Pre-practice intention-setting: Seven-minute sessions (S7) before each practice establish focused improvement areas

The program's effectiveness is evident in our data: 88% of players reported the program significantly or very significantly improved their performance (rating it 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale).

What makes our approach different is that it's not just about motivation or generic goal-setting. It's about creating systems that make improvement inevitable through daily actions.

From Intention to Implementation

Perhaps the most striking finding from our survey data is the high implementation rate of practice intentions. Fully 92% of players reported implementing at least half of their daily S7 session intentions during practice, with 50% reporting implementation rates above 75%.

This conversion from intention to action highlights a key strength of the POD: bridging the gap between knowing what to improve and actually making those improvements during practice.

Our players consistently report that the daily S7 sessions create a direct connection between their identified gaps and their practice focus. Instead of generic "work hard" approaches, they're targeting specific behaviors that move them forward.

Beyond the Numbers: Habit Formation Success

The true measure of any development program is behavior change, and Win the Day delivers impressive results. Every participant reported establishing at least one new positive habit, with 50% forming three or more new habits.

Interestingly, even players with inconsistent app usage reported significant habit formation, suggesting the program's effectiveness extends beyond digital tracking alone. The principles appear to be sound enough that they translate into behavior change even without perfect adherence to the tracking component.

A Balanced Approach for Diverse Learners

One of the most revealing aspects of our survey data is how evenly players' preferences were distributed across the program's main components:

• 42% found gap identification most valuable

• 29% valued habit creation in HabitShare most

• 29% highlighted pre-practice sessions as most beneficial

This balanced distribution suggests our POD successfully addresses different learning preferences and implementation styles. Some players connect more with the analytical aspect of identifying improvement areas, while others respond more to the systematic habit-building or the focused pre-practice sessions.

Beyond the Gridiron: Life Skills Development

Perhaps the most impressive statistic isn't about on-field performance at all. A remarkable 75% of players reported applying the Win the Day methodology outside of football, with 42% doing so frequently.

This transfer of learning suggests we're doing more than developing better football players—we're building life skills that will serve these student-athletes long after their playing days conclude.

I've been particularly encouraged by comments from players who note that "the same system that helps me improve my footwork or play recognition also works for my study habits" and "I've started using the gap identification process for my academics, and it's made a huge difference."

The Implementation-Impact Connection

Our data analysis reveals a clear correlation between implementation rates and overall impact ratings:

• Players reporting 76-100% implementation averaged 4.5/5 impact rating

• Players reporting 51-75% implementation averaged 4.0/5 impact rating

• Players reporting 26-50% implementation averaged 3.0/5 impact rating

This progressive pattern strongly suggests that successful implementation of S7 session intentions is a key driver of perceived program benefit, creating a virtuous cycle where successful implementation drives greater buy-in.

Different Paths, Similar Destinations

While our POD shows consistency in positive outcomes, player engagement patterns vary considerably. The survey reveals several different successful approaches:

• Digital Trackers: Some players use HabitShare nearly daily, creating a robust digital accountability system

• Session Focusers: Others place less emphasis on app tracking but show exceptional implementation of S7 session intentions

• Gap Identifiers: A third group focuses primarily on the analytical aspects of identifying and addressing improvement areas

The program's flexibility appears to be a strength, accommodating different approaches while still delivering consistent results.

S7 Sessions: A Daily Performance Framework

The pre-practice S7 sessions have emerged as a particularly powerful component of the Win the Day methodology. With a 4.3/5 average effectiveness rating, these brief daily sessions establish a clear focus for each practice.

Players frequently mention that the structured seven-minute process before practice has changed how they approach improvement. Having a specific intention transforms random activity into purposeful practice.

Our survey data reveals that 33% of players rated these sessions as extremely effective (5/5), with pre-practice sessions being the exclusive component that no player rated below a 3 on effectiveness.

Consistency Creates Champions

Perhaps the most significant insight from our expanded survey data is the relationship between consistency and perceived value. The program's emphasis on daily habits and regular intention-setting creates a framework where improvement becomes inevitable.

What's powerful about our Win the Day approach is that it removes the randomness from development. Rather than hoping players improve, we're creating a systematic process where improvement is the natural result of daily practices.

This emphasis on consistency extends to the program itself—the Win the Day methodology has created a common language and framework that unifies our approach to development. Players report that having shared terminology and processes strengthens team cohesion while still allowing for individual approaches.

A Model for Modern Player Development

What makes our Win the Day POD particularly noteworthy is its seamless integration of behavioral science with traditional coaching approaches. Rather than replacing football-specific skill development, the program creates a framework that enhances and focuses that development.

We're not reinventing football training. We're creating systems that help players get maximum benefit from that training through consistent, focused improvement.

As college athletics continues to evolve, Win the Day represents a modern model for player development— a methodical approach that leverages behavioral science to create systematic improvements both on and off the field.

For the us, winning on Saturday starts with winning each day through habits, intentions, and deliberate practice.