Every year a new crop of high school freshmen show up wanting to play sports, many of which are clueless of what is expected from them. I always wonder, did their parents not explain life to them..... or do the parent not know.
After mulling this over...... here is some advice from 4 decades of coaching. These are not necessarily in order of importance.....but they are all very important if you want you athlete to succeed.
1. When a coach says, "....we begin a 8, ...." - That means you are dressed, prepared with everything you need prior to 8.
2. Make sure you know what everything you need truly means...... This includes daily...and also for the season for instance, every year some kids will not get their required physicals and other paper work turned in on time...
3. Learn the difference between bumps and bruises .......and a real injury. Bumps and bruises....don't require you to sit out. Asking your parents how many days a week they feel great and ready to go to work......would be a great place to start. Hell, adults hurt every single day.....if we didn't work because we had a bump....or a bruise....we would never work. Also, if you need to sit out....that does not mean you don't show up! You can still learn and take mental reps. Your athletes are far stronger than you know...or they know - if you allow them to make excuses.....
4. Pay attention. Most of the time when I look up I see freshmen looking out into space, I can only assume talking to their friends about how to be stupider....... If you have a young athlete helping them to listen and follow directions is the first step to success.
5. Life is hard, expect to work for your chance to play..... Though history has shown a donation from grandpa can over ride that lack of talent problem your athlete might have.......
6. When the coach says bring water..... he doesn't mean 8 fluid ounces. A gallon thermos is a good starting point. But, your athlete should begin drinking water a full day before workouts.....
7. Shut the fuck up! You are a freshman, nothing you did prior to high school matters. No one cares that your CYC team won the championship or that your parents paid money for you to be on a GMB Allstar Team. Now if you do something impressive a coach may ask....at that point you can expand upon your experience.
8. Do not collect the title, Mr. Accessory. I have never seen an athlete that came to practice wearing every item you can possibly own be productive for the team. By all means, you should have the required safety items....but you don't need to wear them all.....
9. Grades come first..... every year some freshmen learn the hard way high school is not elementary school. Teachers are not here to hold you hand. As God as my witness I have seen athletes not permitted to play because they had a failing grade in an Art Class........ You have to try to fail art.....
10. This one is more for parents - Schools put out the schedule for the entire school year well before the school year begins. There are multiple weeks in which you know no events will take place.... Those are the weeks for vacation. You either support the team or you don't.....
11. Have a checklist - Most athletes will not follow this advice, but it is probably the #1 way to succeed. Create a checklist of every item you need to have, you should check the list the night before every event.....so you are ready to walk out the door prepared. But - it is just as important that you check the list when your event is over Make sure you leave with everything you brought!!!
I wrote this essay pretty quickly.....with minimum thought, I am fairly certain I will regret that -- maybe as soon as I hit publish something I forgot to mention will cross my mind...... So, this is your opportunity to chirp in and add your thoughts.
Parents, fight the urge to defend your child.....
