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A healthy 3 way fictitious dialogue:
Athlete: I just want to play and get better.
Coach: I think I can help you get better but only you control the “play.”
Parent: But, you write the lineup. What can he can do to crack the lineup?
Coach: Honestly, maybe nothing......
Athlete: I just want to play and get better.
Coach: I think I can help you get better but only you control the “play.”
Parent: But, you write the lineup. What can he can do to crack the lineup?
Coach: Honestly, maybe nothing......
Parent: That’s not a very hopeful message. How is that affirming?
Coach: On game day I’m given 9 spots. That’s it. No more. That doesn’t mean I don’t think #’s 10,11,12 and 13 aren’t good players. It means I’ve run out of room.
Son: But, I can’t get better if I don’t play....
Coach: On game day I’m given 9 spots. That’s it. No more. That doesn’t mean I don’t think #’s 10,11,12 and 13 aren’t good players. It means I’ve run out of room.
Son: But, I can’t get better if I don’t play....
Coach: I think what you mean is “I can’t get exposure.” That’s 100% true. But you can get better.
Son: But practice and games are different. It’s not the same thing.
Coach: I’m in the prediction business. I do my best to predict outcomes. What if I’m protecting you? ......
Son: But practice and games are different. It’s not the same thing.
Coach: I’m in the prediction business. I do my best to predict outcomes. What if I’m protecting you? ......
Parent: What possibly would you be protecting him from? We’ve taught him to not run from failure.
Coach: I’m protecting him from himself. I’ve seen overconfidence really send athletes into a tailspin.
Son: You don’t think I’m ready?
Coach: Oh, you’re ready to succeed....
Coach: I’m protecting him from himself. I’ve seen overconfidence really send athletes into a tailspin.
Son: You don’t think I’m ready?
Coach: Oh, you’re ready to succeed....
Coach: But, I’m not sure you’re ready to fail.
Parent: He’s failed before and has always bounced back.
Coach: There’s something called “early work” in pro ball. You know why the rookies are always doing “early work?” Because they think failure means something is wrong......
Parent: He’s failed before and has always bounced back.
Coach: There’s something called “early work” in pro ball. You know why the rookies are always doing “early work?” Because they think failure means something is wrong......
Parent: I don’t understand.
Coach: When I say the game is hard I mean it’s hard!!! That means when your son goes 0-14 he might be “ok.” It takes time to realize this. If I play him before he knows this I might really hurt him.
Son: Well what can I do to prove I’m ready? .....
Coach: When I say the game is hard I mean it’s hard!!! That means when your son goes 0-14 he might be “ok.” It takes time to realize this. If I play him before he knows this I might really hurt him.
Son: Well what can I do to prove I’m ready? .....
Coach: Just LOVE the game, not the SUCCESS. Show up with energy. Lift your teammates up. Don’t kick the dirt every time you throw a ball away. Sprint out pop ups. The game rewards doing the right thing. Just be patient. I know you care.
Son: Ok. I buy that. Thanks Coach!!!
Son: Ok. I buy that. Thanks Coach!!!
