The Value of Structure

Notes on balance.

The tangents that flow through us when speaking of structure are far reaching.

Think about all of the different ways that engineers design and build structures in our physical world for a moment. What comes to mind?

The first things that come to mind when I hear the word “structure” is steel buildings and expansive bridges.

When you think of skyscrapers and tall buildings, they’re primarily box shaped, as squares and cubes are easy to build; while the people and the furniture they occupy fits neatly in square or rectangular floor plans.

When you think of bridges, however, you might envision a lot more triangular shapes responsible for the component parts of the structure.

Buildings must account for efficient floor plans, while bridges must be built while accounting for dynamic elements including wind, weight of traffic, and (sometimes) water flowing underneath.

In short, squares suit the static, space-efficient needs of buildings, while triangles provide the structural strength and stability required for bridges under dynamic conditions.

Structure can entail how you assemble your schedule. There is a big focus on work/life balance amongst the general population, but if you plan on achieving extraordinary things, the structure of your schedule and habits must also be extraordinary.

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan didn’t do what all of their teammates were doing.

They structured their schedules and daily habits to be the greatest.

Structure can entail the practice plans that your coach puts together.

Are they shooting from the hip or is every moment of practice accounted for in order to provide maximum benefit and improvement over time to the athletes?

The art of designing a good practice plan allows for some flexibility when athletes need a bit more work on a particular part of their game, but the way the practice is laid out should have a reason for the order of the skills and skills should build on one another.

The structure can bend, but never breaks.

Water Polo Structure