One of the most inspirational clinicians I ever heard speak in person was John Wooden. I heard him speak to approximately 300 coaches in a ballroom located clinic. I remember it as if it was yesterday. Coach Wooden sat in a chair on a slightly elevated platform. Now coaches, attending a clinic, are not always the most attentive or polite. On this occasion, you could literally "hear a pin drop." I have never ever attended any presentation anywhere were this level of respect was shown to a speaker. Coach Wooden spoke in a calm quiet tone on a number of topics. Now if you know any of Coach Wooden's history, you know one of his favorite topics related to life and basketball was the concept of "balance." (Now remember, this was a man who taught his division 1 level athletes how to put on their socks!). Maybe the key to his success was breaking the game down to its simpliest level(s). He seemed to embrace the concept of "maybe."
Let me share with you something I often failed to totally embrace when I was actively coaching. Found this antidote entitled "Maybe" to illustrate
my point ........
"MAYBE"
"Once their was an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck." they said sympathetically. "Maybe" the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "Maybe," answered the farmer. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "Maybe," answered the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "Maybe," said the farmer.
Sports lesson: Don't be quick to judge events as good or bad. Stay calm and centered when the sports gods hurl hardships your way. Don't write the review until after the game or season is completed. Stay level-headed - avoid becoming too high with the highs and too lo with the lows along the way. Always make the best of the present regardless of what's on the scoreboard."
.... Dr. Jim Afremow
During the course of a season it can often be difficult to maintain our coaching balance. We can easily let our emotions control our perspective. Play well and we are elated. Play poorly and we can easily become depressed. If I am completely transparent, often the players I coached were better at maintaining the proper emotional balance during the course of a seasons than I was! Maybe they can teach me how to put on my socks?
The situation we presently all find ourselves in has no "game plan." None of us has been through the social distancing, mask wearing, stay at home
mandates most of us are being asked to participate in. We can look at this
as either good, bad, or possibly a "maybe." Let's try to stay balanced.
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