Wednesday, March 20, 2013

2011-07-28 The Joy of Coaching

Today's musical recommendation - "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum

Not much of a country fan but think this trio has it going on :)


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So I just noticed that is has been slightly more than two months since I started posting my musings and wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has sent me comments and feedback. Hopefully they've brought a smile and made you stop and take a moment to think about this and that..........


So when I'm not working, playing golf, or contemplating this little project I coach my son's soccer team and today's posting will be about the things we learn from those around us.


I'm pretty fortunate that both of my kids are athletically inclined and I've had the pleasure of getting to coach both of them in various sports. The one thing that really stands out is how many times parents thank me for volunteering my time to coach teams when what I really want to do is to thank them for registering their children in sports as it allows the leagues to form teams and gives my own children a chance to participate.


There is no greater joy than watching a team successfully run a set play in soccer that you've practiced countless times and seeing the players eyes light up when they score.


My message to my teams has always been a good coach doesn't win a game but a bad coach can lose a game for his team. On Monday my 9th place boys team played the 2nd place team in our league. This team had only lost one game all season and that to the 1st place team 4-3 so they were pretty confident about beating us and it showed as they warmed up. I took my team aside and let them know just how much disrespect they were being shown and asked them if they would be happy with some stranger coming into their home and making themselves at home and treating them like crap....they all said no and I reminded them that we were the home team, to look at each other and realize that on the pitch we are a family and have each others backs.........they went out and hammered the 2nd place team 5-2 and could have won it 9-2......after the game I always gather the team and briefly talk to them about how the game went and before I could start one of my best players said "Excuse me coach for interrupting but you told us you'll never win a game for us, but tonight you did just that by telling us how good we are and letting us prove it" and than came over and high fived me!!!!!


It never ceases to amaze me the things kids will say and how they can make you feel. My son reminds me all the time that it is just a game and to relax and enjoy the moment. My daughter likes to send me little text messages or Facebook comments to let me know to just breathe now and again :)


What message have your kids given you that you try and embrace on a daily basis??

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