Good Afternoon!
I know it's been a while.... my summer got a little wild and crazy with work and my competition schedule. I am looking forward to it all winding down this summer so that I can focus on my research, clients and this blog!
I was perusing through Facebook this morning and stumbled upon this article. I clicked on it and am so happy I did. READ IT. It's a quick and easy read....
http://mikailaetheredge.weebly.com/blog/i-am-your-coach-not-your-mother
...and IT'S GOOD. The authors points are important for an athlete to chew on.... but I read it from a coaches perspective. I think This woman (Coach Mikaila Etheredge) is the type of coach we all wish we are, were or could teach our kids. She comes off as tough, but passionate. It's also quite obvious that she is passing along skills that she, herself, holds dear and practices.... and that brings me to my main point.
I am not your mother, I am your coach.
GOOD COACHES WALK THE WALK. They don't just talk the talk.... As a coach, ask yourself if you're holding your athletes to a different standard than you hold yourself? Coach Etheredge talks about how important it is that she teach her athletes life skills. She says "If I only taught them the skills of softball, I'd be doing them an injustice." It's 100% fair that a coach strives to make an athlete a better product than they may have been..... but a coach is a leader and I believe the most effective coaches live a life of the same discipline and standard that they teach their athletes.
And no.... your coach is NOT your mom... or your dad. Your coach is a leader, a boss. Parents, you need to let your child be coached.... even when it's no pretty. And athletes, you need to show your coach respect by trying your hardest and not giving up.... even when it's not pretty.
Happy reading! Let me know what you think....
Until Next Time,
Lindy