Level 6 – Craftsman & Professional

We have been neglecting to complete our review of all the levels in The Taxonomy of Competition so we will be updating Level 6 - Craftsman & Professional this week and review the final Level 7 - Olympic Rings next week.

Level 6 players are the Professionals.  As usual, there are fewer participants at this level. This week the Oklahoma Thunder Basketball Team became the NBA 2024/2025 Champions.  All of the team players made a lot of money, The Coaches and all the other people involved, e.g. Management made a lot of money. This week, golfer Keegan Bradley, the Player, made a lot of money at the Travelers Championship. Other Players made some pretty fair money, too.

That’s what Professionals do.

Status of Individual: The Person –The Performer – The Player – The Team - The Brand

Structure of Games/Sports Activities Format: Professional Sports Activities. Highly organized Games and Operations with media and entertainment focus.

Entity Involved: Individual Player, Team, Organization, League, Community, and Personal Brand.

Relationship with teammates and opponents: Team - Playing with and for your teammates and against opponent teams. Personal - Playing for yourself and against a single opponent.

People Involved: Coaches, Teammates, Agents, Management, Media, Officials, Family, Friends, Fans, Trolls, and Community. 

Allegiance to Self  - Allegiance to Team. Competition Status: Intense. Winners and Losers.

External Recognition: Trophies. Championships. Awards. Compensation. Significance. Legacy. Outside Interests

Application of appropriate skill & strategy: Acquisition of skill and strategy ‘required to             develop professionally’ accompanied by ‘expectation to execute.’

Team athletes are getting paid to play the game. They are being compensated for their athletic talents, abilities, and performances. Competition is connected to organizations, leagues, and entertainment. Players have become professional – they have allegiance to the team. They also have a responsibility to themselves and their individual brand. 

A professional has made an agreement with the Organization. A place on the team and within the organization is connected to performance and fulfillment of agreed upon terms – it’s a contract. The name on the back of the shirt matters as well. The game has become a vocation – it’s a job. It’s still a game, but it is also a job.  

Players and coaches are recognized figures. They are connected to the jersey numbers that they wear, their organization, and their performances – both individual and team. The community and public share vicariously in the competitive and team experience - Wearing jerseys - Waving flag - Painting their faces and bodies in team colors - calling it ‘My Team’ as they share insightful analysis from their easy chairs.

Players in individual sports; such as, Golf , Tennis, Skiing, and Swimming, have their own responsibilities with “team members” such as caddies, followers, and sports psychologists.

Players and coaches are craftsmen. They are judged and evaluated by their performances that happen on the biggest stage. The sight of the developmental struggle and process is the privilege of the chosen few – teammates, coaches, and trainers. The collective talents and abilities of the players, coaches and organization create a demanding developmental environment. There is a collaborative and competitive effort to bring out the best in everyone. 

Winning is crucial – Losing is really Losing. Winning and losing are both temporary and lasting. Level 6 results are connected to standings, playoffs, financial rewards, future contracts, championship seasons, and legacy. Winning and being labeled a winner are both important.

 Ara Parseghian  

“A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.”