Coaching is
not about winning in comparison to losing, it is not about measuring
our success by the quantity of hardware we can boast having at the end
of the season. It is not about the article written or the trophies
sitting gathering dust in our display cabinet.
Coaching is about teaching - it is related to what we bring to each player
individually and to the group as a team. It is teaching the values of
a victory and the lessons of a loss and making that knowledge and
understanding accessible to every player we touch.
We have to be reminded that many young players see their coach as a mentor and a
guide. We are often unaware of all the influences we may have on their
lives and it is our job to turn all situations, whether they be
positive or negative, into a constructive experience that will benefit
the youngsters in the long run. We should tell our young players that
we will make them champions but we should also tell them that being
champions doesn't always mean wearing a medal around your neck. It
often means wearing a medal inside your heart. If we can make our
players stronger technically, we should also make them stronger
mentally. Respect of self and others has to be taught, for this is the
essence of team sports. Our players should emerge from under our wing
being stronger individuals and more understanding of their own
strengths and weaknesses.
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