It seems somewhat incomprehensible that a two letter word can have such significance. I suppose all coaches at any level have a game of "IF" to negotiate after most games. If we had only made more free throws.
If we had only gotten that loose ball. If we had fouled the "right" person at the end of the game. If we had taken a timeout sooner (or later). This list of "ifs" seems to be almost endless. Somewhat ironic the list of "ifs" is much shorter if (there that word again) we win.
I liked to establish traditions when I could . One of those traditions was sending graduating seniors three items when they graduated. First, was a grad card (with some money in it). Second, was a personal letter thanking them for being part of the program and third, was a copy of the poem "IF" by Rudyard Kipling.
I was not a very good English student in high school. I am sure this comes to no surprise to those of you who have read some of my post! I enjoy writing but spelling, usage, and mechanics are not exactly my strong suits. (Ok, ok
stop your grinning). I never was a great fan of poetry either. I remember having a poem I wrote when I was a junior high student and it (my poem) was just plain AWFUL!! Fortunately, this experience did not scare me for life.
I did eventually discover a poem early in my coaching days come across that I felt had a great deal of meaning. If you are not familiar with it, I have reproduced it below. Despite the poem being addressed to males, I believe it equal applies to females.
IF
"If you can keep your head when all about you
Are others losing theirs and blaming it on you ....
If you can dream .... and not make dreams your master;
If you can think .... and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same ....
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings .... nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but not too much ....
Yours is the earth and everything that's in it,
And .... which is more .... You'll be a Man, my son!"
Let me attempt to analyze the poem from my perspective:
The first stanza is about poise. I always wanted players who you could
look at and not know if their team was up by ten or down by ten.
The second stanza is about wisdom.
The third stanza is about perspective. Keep events in their proper perspective.
The fourth stanza is about humility. If you win say little if you lose say less.
The fifth stanza is about self worth. The final stanza is the result of developing the other attributes mentioned
in the poem.
If we (coaches/teachers) have done our jobs well, we will help these young ladies and men we have been privileged to coach/teach to be able to take
responsibility for their actions and to be ready to face the next phase in their education and life.
It is very easy to get caught up in teaching the fundamentals of the game of
basketball that we may neglect teaching some of the meaningful fundamentals of life that all our student-athletes will need. Such as poise,
wisdom, perspective, humility and self worth.
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