We’re finishing up our three part series on “Sexual savvy during Seahawks season.” Part one focused on how to keep your offense strong. Part two reminded you how to put up a good defense. Part three shows you how to kick it up a notch with special teams.

9. A truly savvy Seahawks fan is going to have goals in their life. Where do you want to be in a year? Five years? Ten? How will being in a relationship impact that? What risks are involved in the behavior you are planning? How can you reach your goals, while respecting yourself and others? Take it from Steven Hauschka — focus and determination are important in order to reach your goals.

10. Practice makes things better. Even the best players practice, practice, practice. They practice in the off-season and during the football season. Take a page from their playbook and take some time with a friend (or trusted adult) to roleplay some scenarios. It’s important to do this with situations that might make you uncomfortable, so you can practice what you might say or do. Think of something that could happen, or maybe already did happen to someone you know or someone you read about.

What are some feelings you have about this situation?

What are at least two options a person has in this situation?

What are the potential consequences of acting on each of those options?

Who’s got your back if things don’t go as planned?

Practicing dealing with pressure ahead of time can give you a big advantage when the clock is ticking.

11. Show pride in who you are. Not everyone in the Land of 12 plays on the same side, but it takes every one of us to make up the whole team. Claim your identity, and be as honest about it as you safely can. If you need support, look up Gender Alliance of the South Sound, the Tacoma Rainbow Center, PFLAG or teens in the south end can check out Proud! Out! Wonderful! at www.facebook.com/proudoutwonderful.

12. Take time to review the plays. After every game, the Seahawks take time to watch the game films and assess what went well and what to do differently. If you really like something you did, think how about how you can do that again. If you mess up or something didn’t turn out how you wanted, throw a flag on the field and put it under review.

Think what you could have done differently. Make amends if you need to. Get support if you need it. Ask for advice from your favorite relationship official. Then get back out there, and try again.

There you have it, my “Top 12 tips to stay sexually savvy during Seahawks season.” You all stay safe out there. Go Hawks!

Amy Johnson, MSW, is a Trainer, Educator and Coach in the Pacific Northwest. She is co-author of the books, “Parenting by Strengths: A Parent’s Guide for Challenging Situations” and “Homegrown Faith and Justice.” Amy facilitates classes and workshops in the Puget Sound area and online. She specializes in working with parents and in sexuality education. Amy can be reached at comments@diligentjoy.com.