When the Cubs made their run to the World Series in 2016, manager Joe Maddon famously did everything he could, in some very creative ways, to keep the pressure of the whole experience from getting to his team.

Not only did the players obviously want to win the World Series because that's every kid's dream, but the Cubs were in a unique and unenviable situation of having not only the expectations of an entire city riding on their shoulders, but also a historical curse (The Curse of The Billy Goat), that was only matched in intensity and longevity by the Red Sox's Curse of the Bambino, looming over their heads.

To make matters worse, the Red Sox had recently exorcised their demons 3 times in the previous decade or so with World Series Championships in 2004 and 2007 and 2013, leaving only the Cubs as the last remaining "lovable losers" in baseball.

Maddon recognized all of this and, realizing that he had NO ability to control the pressure coming from the fans and city, he worked extra hard to control the pressure in the dugout and in the clubhouse that his players were no doubt feeling.

So rather than ask his players to put more time and energy into preparing for each game, or talking about the historical nature of their run, or what a Championship would mean to Cubs fans everywhere, all things he figured would result in them putting even more pressure on themselves, he did the opposite.  

He hired magicians and snake charmers and musicians to come perform in the clubhouse before games!

His theory was that if he was able to keep his players loose and having fun and distracted from the pressure, they would perform better on the field.

It's safe to say it worked!

(And now you know why there are so many really fun activities scheduled throughout each day at Summer Camp; it's not only because it's Summer and kids want to be allowed to be kids playing a game they love with their friends, free from results-based pressure. It's also because when athletes are in a fun and positive environment that encourages them to be relaxed and confident rather and nervous and scared, they will play better baseball! You can sign up for camp before it fills up here: www.SpringTrainingSports.com.)

What can we as parents and coaches learn from Maddon's strategy during the pressure-packed playoff run and post-season march to the World Series? Lots!

First reminder: The players on your team already want to win. And even more so in the playoffs. Have you ever seen a player at any age try to lose a game? I haven't! They naturally want to win (kids start keeping score in their own heads in tee ball!) and they absolutely do NOT need adults reminding them of this fact. That will only put more pressure on them, making playing the game more difficult and less fun for them.

Second reminder: Just because it's the playoffs, the players on your team will not magically turn into professionals. They are still just kids playing (and learning) a very difficult game. They will still make errors, and forget to cover bases, and swing at bad pitches, and walk more batters than we wish they would...just like they did in every single game of the regular season!  Let's not amplify those inevitable mistakes by having massive reactions of anger, frustration, or disappointment of our own from the dugouts and stands.

Third reminder: Just because it's the playoffs does not mean that magically every umpire is going to all of a sudden be perfect behind the plate. The umps are still Little League umps doing their best to call a fair game. I promise they do not care who wins or loses and we should all just be thankful that they hustled to our fields from whatever their day job is so that our kids can play the game. Be nice to them and if you're going to say anything to them, make sure it's simply, "THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE!"

Fourth reminder: The attitude of the kids on your team will mirror that of the adults in attendance. If there's nervous anxiety coming from the stands, their play on the field will be nervous and apprehensive. If there's screaming and clipboard throwing after mistakes coming from the dugout, expect to see thrown helmets, kicked dirt, and slumped shoulders on the players on the field. Alternatively, if the energy coming from the adults in the stands and in the dugout is loose, relaxed, and confident, the players' approach to the game will be the same.

Fifth reminder: Whether your team wins or loses and whether your kid has a great game or a terrible game is NOT a reflection of you as parent, coach, and human being. That said, your behavior in the stands, in the dugout, towards the ump, or towards the other team's players and parents ABSOLUTELY is a reflection of you as a parent, coach, and human being. Model behavior that would make your son, spouse, or own parents proud and a remember that kid's behavior will mirror that of the adults around them...for better or worse.

Sixth, and final reminder: HAVE FUN!!! With the correct atmosphere and behavior coming from adults, playoffs can be an incredibly fun week of baseball for everyone, so let's never lose sight of how lucky we are to get to watch our kids play the sport they love, no matter what happens on the scorebook or in the stat sheet!