I am sitting in my office today, 3:30 hours before a second round state tournament game and I am at peace. Usually I am scrambling...frantic about what we might do well, might not do well. Thinking...are we as prepared as we should be? Does our team have the right mentality? It is a feeling that all of us coaches bring ourselves to many times throughout a season...and even more so in the playoffs. But today I sit here at peace.
5 years ago when I got the job at Simsbury High School I ran a few fall clinics to get to know some of the younger players in town. Two of the frequent attendees at those sessions were 8th graders McKenna Finken and Sophie Rosenberg. I could tell right away that both players had potential and both played the game the right way. 5 years later I look back on those first days...knowing how much the three of us have grown together...and all that I can do is smile. Sophie and McKenna have grown into all-conference players, leaders and role models. I have learned to become a better coach, a more patient coach, a calmer coach (although I still get pretty excited!!).
I have seen these two girls grow up in front of me...and I have learned to trust them with every bit of my mind and every bit of my heart. This is why I sit here in peace this afternoon. I looked into the eyes of my players last night...and I saw confidence, I saw trust, I saw belief. That is what it is all about. To built confidence and to build unwavering trust. I trust and I believe in these two players as much or more than anyone I have ever coached. Whatever happens in 3:30 hours I know that my team will play their hearts out, because I know I can count on these two. No matter what.
That is what coaching is all about.
5 years ago when I got the job at Simsbury High School I ran a few fall clinics to get to know some of the younger players in town. Two of the frequent attendees at those sessions were 8th graders McKenna Finken and Sophie Rosenberg. I could tell right away that both players had potential and both played the game the right way. 5 years later I look back on those first days...knowing how much the three of us have grown together...and all that I can do is smile. Sophie and McKenna have grown into all-conference players, leaders and role models. I have learned to become a better coach, a more patient coach, a calmer coach (although I still get pretty excited!!).
I have seen these two girls grow up in front of me...and I have learned to trust them with every bit of my mind and every bit of my heart. This is why I sit here in peace this afternoon. I looked into the eyes of my players last night...and I saw confidence, I saw trust, I saw belief. That is what it is all about. To built confidence and to build unwavering trust. I trust and I believe in these two players as much or more than anyone I have ever coached. Whatever happens in 3:30 hours I know that my team will play their hearts out, because I know I can count on these two. No matter what.
That is what coaching is all about.
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