I might be the worst coach there is. By: Denise Orsulak

I’m pretty much the worst coach there is.  I’m kind of naïve to believe that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, but how you play the game. 

   
        
Maybe that statement has never been true.  I’m not liking the pressure there is in sports that starts at age 9 or 10 (probably sooner for others).  It’s really awful in my opinion.  Kids are expected to play sports harder and more competitively.  It seems that that just burns them out early or drives them away all together. 

This might hit close to home because I have had my own personal experience with this.  Luckily I was adaptable.  And found ways to participate in physical activities even when I found my coaches were not ideal.

This year in coaching my daughter’s team is a little different, I am noticing a shift.  There seems to be more pressure on me as well.  I’m not sure if it’s imagined or real.  But I feel it, so I guess it’s real to me.  And I don’t really like it.

It makes me think that I shouldn’t be coaching at all.  But on the other hand, maybe I should suck it up and stick with it for those girls who want to have fun and don’t care about the score.  I’m so torn.

There are plenty of people out there who gauge success by the score.  I just hope there are just as many who don’t.  I hope there are more and more people who care about team work, good sportsmanship, picking a teammate up when they are down, and giving encouragement when needed.  I choose to forget the score.  I choose to care about those who are playing the game.  I care about creating a lifetime of health and fitness through sports activities.  I care about developing a love for the game. 

I challenge you to take a look at your thinking.  Are you super competitive with everything you do? You could be super competitive even with yourself, not just with others.  Maybe shift your thinking to being super cooperative instead. 

I guess that is why I am drawn to yoga.  There is no winning or losing when you come to you mat.  It’s just being and discovering who you want to be.  In yoga, you have to bring your mind and body together and nurture yourself in that moment.  Not worrying about getting that elaborate pose just right. 

For now, I will release the pressure I am feeling that is imagined or real.  I just need to keep coaching the way I am, and stick with it.  My team might not win lots of games, but I sure hope they have fun and learn a lot!

Namaste,

Denise

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