the past few weeks has reminded me of how much mentality and attitude play a part in athletic performance. i remember how much it effected me as an athlete. now i see it in each of my girls that i coach - middle school girls basketball at eastern christian. they have the potential to be an undefeated team, and yet their record currently stands at 8-6 with their last game to be played tomorrow. even if they lose, they have a winning season. for the past six games, they've been playing themselves...not their opponents. its been a struggle with confidence, challenged by losing a starting member to an injury. its an interesting thing, the psychology of sport.
its been a struggle for me too, as their coach. its amazing how emotionally attached you get to a group of 15 girls in less than 3 months. despite the hormones that create girl drama and bickering at every practice, despite their inability to stop talking and listen to me for more than a minute, despite their teasing me...i love each and every one of them. in this team, i see such a clear example of what Christ meant by "the body of Christ." each girl brings her unique contribution to the team, and therefore has a unique role and responsibility as a member. from the best player on the team down to the least talented girl (talented in terms of basketball skils), each one has a purpose and significance. i pray that each of them be blessed, and that each be a blessing in this world.
4 comments:
you were an awesome coach jill and your girls loved you!
i do what i can...but i already have plans of improvement (for myself) for next year. and by "improvements" i don't mean incorporating more of a yelling style in my coaching, as some people seem to think is critical to coaching.
i would be very intrigued to see you "yell"--i think the girls would fall over with shock!
there's been a few times - maybe not games but practices - where i've had to "discipline" a bit. it does shock them...i can see it in some of their eyes, just kind of wide eyed looking at me. maybe next year i'll be the extreme opposite of a coach...
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