summer playbook #2 - the vault
The Vault
Because once players understand they’re building something…
You need to give them something worth earning.
Credit Where It’s Due
Quick shoutout to my good friend Eric Luster, head coach and athletic coordinator at Brazoswood High School in Clute, Texas.
On a recent Arena Podcast, Coach Luster talked about the “Vault” system he uses with his players—creating rewards and exclusive gear they have to earn through consistency, discipline, and daily habits.
Set the Standard First
Before we even talk about rewards, set this clearly:
“We will issue you everything you need…”
Standard socks
Standard undershirts
Standard gear
“…but you earn the things you want.”
Make it a privilege to wear Vault gear in games and practice.
Special gloves
Custom sleeves
Unique mouthpieces
Exclusive gear
Only for those who earn it.
“If it’s not issued or earned… it’s not worn.”
Why This Matters
This does two things for your program:
Creates motivation
Players want access—now they have to earn itGives you control
No more policing random colors or styles
Simple. Clean. Clear.
What is The Vault?
You fundraise (boosters, sponsors, alumni) and build a $3k–$8k+ Vault stocked with real gear.
It doesn’t have to be complicated—pancake breakfast, car wash, local sponsors.
Find a way. It will be worth it.
Gloves
Hoodies
Cleats
Mouthpieces
Custom team gear
Even a helmet(s) as a headliner for the final draw
But here’s the key:
Not everything is earned the same way.
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Here is how it works:
At the end of each week:
Perfect attendance earns you a ticket
Draw 3–5 names (whatever your budget allows)
Those players get to pick from The Vault
Then it stacks:
Weekly — small gear grab (Tier 1)
Halfway through — bigger gear (Tier 2)
End of summer — the good stuff (Tier 3)
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Tier 1 — Weekly “Quick Grab”
This is where it starts.
Every week, players who have perfect attendance earn their way into The Vault drawing.
No partial credit.
No “almost.”
“You’re either in… or you’re not.”
How Winners Are Selected
We’ve found the best system is a blend of fair and earned:
1. Get In the Drawing
Perfect attendance = 1 entry
That gets you in the room.
2. Reward the Right Behaviors
Each week, coaches identify 1–2 players who stood out:
Brought energy every day
Pulled others with them
Finished everything
Set the standard
Those players:
Get bonus entries or
Are selected as automatic winners
“Perfect attendance gets you in…
how you show up determines how often your name gets called.”
3. Draw the Winners
From the remaining group, draw 3–5 names.
Now it’s simple:
Everyone earned a shot
The ones who did it better… get more chances
Make It a Moment
Don’t rush it.
Bring the team up.
Call out the names.
Recognize the behaviors.
Then:
“The Vault is open.”
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Tier 2 (halfway point)— “Earned Gear”
This is where it separates.
Tier 1 gets you in the room.
Tier 2 is where it starts to mean something.
Who Qualifies
3–4 straight weeks of perfect attendance
No misses. No late arrivals.
“You don’t luck into Tier 2… you stack your way into it.”
What They’re Playing For
Now it’s real gear:
Gloves
Sleeves
Compression
Custom team items (hats, etc.)
How It Works
Everyone qualified gets an entry
Coaches reward difference-makers (energy, leadership) with bonus entries or automatic selection
Draw from a much smaller, more committed group
The Message
“Anybody can show up for a week…
very few can do it for a month.”
Tier 2 isn’t about gear.
It’s about proving you can be counted on.
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Tier 3
End of Summer “The Good Stuff”
This is the payoff.
This isn’t weekly.
This isn’t random.
This is for the players who finished the summer the right way.
What’s in Tier 3
This is where you put the items that make players stop and think:
“I want that.”
Examples:
New helmet (custom touches, visor, etc.)
Team hoodie (exclusive—only Tier 3 winners wear it)
Game or alternate jersey
Custom cleats
Backpack or travel bag
Premium gloves
Full gear pack (bundle multiple items)
Who Gets Rewarded
Everyone who qualifies for Tier 3 should get a draw if possible.
And at a minimum:
Every qualifier receives something that marks it
Example:
A “100%” T-shirt
Or a shirt that signifies perfect attendance / elite commitment
Something they can wear with pride.
Make It Bigger Than You
This is where you bring people in:
Parents
Alumni
Booster club
Local sponsors
Let them help:
Donate items
Fund prizes
Be part of the event
Because when the community sees it…
it grows.
Make It an Event
Do this in the evening.
Coordinate it with:
A booster club meeting
A parent meeting
Let them see it in action.
Full team there
Music on
Energy high
Names called
This should feel different than every other Vault opening.
The Message
“Anybody can win something in a week…”
“Very few finish the entire summer.”
The Long-Term Play
Do this right one time…
And your summers change.
Attendance goes up
Energy goes up
Standards go up
Because players know:
“If I commit… it’s worth it.”
Tier 3 isn’t about gear.
It’s about finishing what you started… and having something to prove it.
And for this to work, you have to hold the line.
“If we didn’t issue it… or you didn’t earn it… you don’t wear it.”
That’s the standard.
Because the moment players can go buy their own gloves, sleeves, or gear…
They’ll choose convenience over commitment.
And the system loses its power.
