I'm a competitive person. As an athlete I always wanted to win. One of the reasons I like to coach is that I get to help little girls learn skills that can help them win too.
This year the wins our volleyball team experienced were not the kind you get to put in the win column on your record. I think I'm finally growing up. Yes, yes, I know I have a long way to go, but progress is progress.
It was a very successful year. It all clicked for them this year. They went from "girls who went out for volleyball" to volleyball players. Does that make sense?
I was never more proud of any group. By the end of the season they were bumping and setting and spiking (Lord help me but I love the spiking)on most plays.
Unfortunately we played teams who were happy to just bump the ball back over the net every time which meant that while our play was stellar we didn't always win the point.
It made me sad for the girls on the other teams. They were being rewarded for lazy play and learning skills that will hinder them down the road. While their record this year will be better than ours their knowledge of the sport and actual skills are far less than the girls on our team.
This post is getting away from me... umm....does this all sound like sour grapes?
Anyway, we had success this year. Consistent serving from girls who couldn't get it over the net at the beginning of the year. Concepts like sportsmanship and support of teammates were practiced in the sweetest of ways. The ability to pass the ball where you want it to go....all good stuff. And as I mentioned before the "click" of playing volleyball instead of just hoping the ball doesn't come to you. It was an amazing year.
And ladies and gentlemen, as for our record, there is always next year.
I am sure you already did, but be sure to tell your girls all the wonderful things you just told us. They will be better players for the rest of their lives, thanks to you and your patience to teach them all the "skills". It is just a score that is forgotten over time, but not the skills and definitely not the coach. You rock. Love ya.
Posted by: Lady by the Creek | November 05, 2007 at 07:50 AM
Sometimes I think those kind of small victories are better than an undefeated season. You should be so proud you turned them into honest to goodness volleyball players.
They'll so wipe the court with everyone next year!
Posted by: Kristabella | November 05, 2007 at 09:14 AM
Record shmecord, skillz baby skillz!
Posted by: New Diva on the Blog | November 05, 2007 at 10:30 AM
That's OK. It sounds like you instilled some really good skills and life lessons into your girls.
Way to go!
Posted by: peepnroosmom | November 05, 2007 at 01:09 PM
I'm reminded of Kierkegaard's comment on Luther, that he (Luther) represented the easy way as opposed to Christ's way which is always more difficult. I'll get you the exact quote if you want it. (To bring this around to your question about Luther.)
Also, this is so applicable to life. So often I've taken the easy way (like these girls on the other teams just slopping the ball over the net) instead of choosing the difficult path that will be better for my soul in the long run.
On the other hand, and to get back to Luther, there is grace -- and we all need as much of that as we can get.
Posted by: Rufus McCain | November 05, 2007 at 02:31 PM
Please don't grow up! That means, I will have to. I hope you will be able to coach my kids.
Posted by: The Eastsider | November 05, 2007 at 02:51 PM
that's great. it's so rewarding for a coach to really see the progress you described, isn't it. Congratulations.
thanks for the compliment on my blog - i'm just learning as i go. still don't know how to do all the perilink and mr. linky and all that jazz but i'll get there.
Posted by: sheila heap | November 05, 2007 at 03:43 PM
What a great post, it is all how you play the game not alway the end result although winning does feel good -- it doesn't feel good if you didn't win because of your skills and with out sportsmanship.
Posted by: tz | November 06, 2007 at 05:58 AM