Coach Scott Juniper, the “all-time winningest” coach of UC Irvine women’s soccer, released Be a Duck: A Methodology for Winning on the Pitch and in Life in October 2024, published by BrightRay Publishing. Filled with advice for navigating life on and off the field the book earned the #1 spot in new releases in both the sports training and soccer categories.
With a distinguished career transforming young athletes reinforced by his background in psychology and sport and exercise science, Scott Juniper lays down the mindset and habits at the heart of transformational progress.
Here are eight takeaways from Be a Duck that will help athletes, coaches, and those simply interested in self-improvement level up their game:
Grow Up—Fast!
In the same way ducklings are forced to grow up quickly to survive, Juniper recommends that athletes grow up quickly (“be a duck!”) and take responsibility for the outcomes—this is the only way to put an end to “the culture of excuses.”
Have Fun
Juniper stresses the importance of having fun. Not the silly and fleeting joy you might feel when bantering with friends (although, that’s great too) but the deep, soulful joy felt “in pursuit of your biggest boldest dreams.” One way to achieve this is by being fully present on the field.
Focus on the Solution
“We have a tendency to fall into the excuse-making ecosystem when things get a little tough,” Juniper says. Instead of focusing on the hole in your bucket, as his grandmother would suggest, focus on how to fix it.
Mind Your Self-Talk
Juniper visualizes the positive and negative self-talk going on in his head as a monster in his pocket—one that he is in full control of. He recommends that athletes do the same. Internal dialogue is natural, but you can control whether you or your emotions are in the driver’s seat.
Fully Commit
A balanced life is often considered ideal, but sometimes success can only be found in healthy extremes. Fully committing, or focusing solely on the goal at hand, is how you can accomplish great things. In other words, when it’s game time, “run for your life.”
Pay Attention to the Wisdom of Your Elders
It’s worthwhile to pay attention to nuggets of wisdom passed down from your elders—relatives who have lived through many years of joy and hardship. Juniper highlights a few pearls of wisdom passed down through his family, including “do as you would be done by” and “waste not, want not.”
Keep an Open Mind
Coach Scott advocates for choosing curiosity over convention. Challenging your preconceived notions and embracing new ideas helps you learn and grow—in soccer and in life.
Consider Game Day Sacred
Shift your mindset when it’s game day. While the white line usually refers to the marker that determines when a player is in or out of bounds, Juniper uses a “White Line” analogy to refer to “the shift into battle mode.” Game day is treated like a ritual in which players channel their energy and leave all their distractions behind the metaphorical line.
Juniper’s book stands out amongst esteemed soccer titles like Quiet Leadership by Carlo Ancelotti and The Barcelona Way by Damien Hughes. These works have inspired players, coaches, and fans alike with their insights into leadership, teamwork, and the strategies behind building successful teams on and off the field.
For more wisdom on sports and life, Scott Juniper’s Be a Duck is available now on Amazon. To find out more about putting your story to paper or publishing with us, schedule a call with BrightRay today.
Dannie Kinard is a proofreader at BrightRay Publishing. She is a seasoned editor with a passion for refining manuscripts. With a BA in English literature, certificates from the Editorial Freelancers Association and Poynter/ACES, and experience as an acquisitions editor, she brings a wealth of expertise to every project. Known for her keen eye for detail and approachable demeanor, she is dedicated to helping authors shine while fostering a friendly working environment.
