Defense Wins Championships

If you're at all interested in sports, you hear this phrase all the time: "Defense wins championships."

I've grown up playing sports and have always heard that, but can't remember a better example of it than last night's Super Bowl.

The Giants, led by their pass rushers (above) Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, held the Patriots to 14 points. 14 POINTS!!!!!

Leading up to the Super Bowl, Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress made a prediction that his team would win the game, 23-17. Upon hearing the prediction, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady laughed at the thought of his team scoring only 17 points. I'm guessing he was as shocked as anyone that the Patriots only managed 14 points.

Maybe the most impressive part of this game is that the Giants only scored 17 points. If you would have told anybody that the Giants would only score 17 points, they would have figured the game would be a blowout by the Patriots. But it just proves the phrase right. If you stop the other team from scoring, you don't need to score much to win - therefore, Defense Wins Championships!

If you are a coach, or ever get the chance to coach, remember this game and use it to help your players understand the importance of defense.

And the best thing about defense is that you don't have to be incredibly talented to be good at it. Anybody can be a good defender if they just work hard at it.