Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying there aren’t exceptional cases.
For instance, if there is some sort of abuse taking place between a coach
and athlete, then I hope the removal of a child from the situation isn’t the
only action a parent takes. But when I hear someone state simply that
they can’t get along with their coach, I inwardly cringe a little. OK...a lot.
Maybe I’m a product of my generation. Maybe I am just getting old.
But I can’t shake the feeling that it’s all gotten out of hand. The bottom
line, in my opinion, lies in this question: If we teach our children it’s OK
to quit when they can’t get exactly what they want from an authority
figure, then what are we teaching them about how to conduct themselves
for the next 40 years? It’s ironic because, as adults, we actually look for
opportunities to be coached. We even pay for it in the form of personal
trainers, counselors, self-help books and life-coaches. We seek perspective
in the areas in which we want to grow. Shouldn’t we be teaching our
children to do the same?
On the last day of school my senior year, a couple of my baseball buddies
and I decided to pull a fairly harmless prank with some water balloons.
After we drenched our victims and our coach caught wind of the hijinx,
he ordered each of us to run 175 foul poles (down and back was one)
before we would be allowed to play in the next – and final – game of the
season. You know what? Not one of us flinched at the punishment. None
of our parents contacted him to complain, nor did anyone remark that the
discipline was unfair. Truth be told, I would have run 500 before giving
any thought to the idea that there may be some way out of it. Today, I’m
able to call this coach a friend, but I admit that I’d probably still take off
running if he asked me to do so.
My first realization concerning the advantage of having been coached
came in college when I was no longer involved in sports. I was enrolled
in a very competitive graphic design program. Most of my classmates
had received extensive art and design education in high school when
I had taken none, nor was I the most talented artist in the department.
However, I quickly learned I had something many of my peers did not.
I knew how to compete and loved the challenge surrounding it. I also
knew how to embrace criticism from professors, thus helping me push
to levels I didn’t know I could attain. Finally, I knew how to work as a
team – even with people with whom I didn’t get along – when many
others had not experienced that in a previous setting.
Today, my wife and I not only look forward to our children’s successes
and accomplishments, but rather, the challenges that will undoubtedly
come as they remain involved in athletics. We will listen when they have
an objection to something a coach has requested. We will hear them out
when they feel that they have been disciplined for an unwarranted reason.
However, we will not intervene unless action is absolutely necessary.
Instead, we will wait for them to leave the room, then look at each other
and smile, knowing valuable life lessons are being experienced in those
moments.
CrossFit
LeanX
Community
GET STARTED WITH 2 WEEKS FREE!
Parenting is HARD and, while we cannot expect someone else to do it
for us, we are blessed to have others who help in the journey. I urge you to
embrace the wisdom and perspective athletic endeavors can instill in your
prodigy. Let your kids run the foul poles. Let them be coached.
Don’t forget to visit www. ExtolSports.com to check out
the FamFitter newsletter. This e-post section is your
quick link to great recipes, family tips and fun exercise
ideas you can use to make your own family fitter.
TM
s t reng thing fam ilies from within
43
322 Mount Tabor Rd, New Albany
www.fourbarrelcrossfit.com | 502.509.3801