Coach, how do we win the medal?

Sunday, March 1, 2009

It's been about 3 months now since I was given the task of coaching the USM UniHawks Floorball Team.
I must admit, it hasn't been an easy ride.

Tonight's training was somewhat draining, mentally/emotionally.

In my club, we have 3 "credos" which we stand by to;
Character, Commitmment and Competence.
Out of these three, what's most significant to me is Character.

As a coach in all it's floorball sense, of course I want to see my club progress tactically and technically, winning a medal or two.
I'd be lying if I say all these are not on my mind.
They are.
But above all these sports talk, something else holds greater value to me than medals and position in a league...
And that's the character of my players and ultimately, my club.

I believe my weakness in the coaching sense is that I lack the ability to identify mistakes, analyse strategies and to troubleshoot. I don't have the "eyes" of a coach, as sportsmen would say. Not to mention, I don't really have the right disposition of a coach - you know, that no-nonsense demeanour. Personally, I've always felt that I'm better off as a captain rather than a coach.

Despite these inadequacies that I know I have, I take pride in this role because I believe I've been given a chance to not just build the sport as a whole but also people.
I always say that Character precedes Winning.
So, if I were to lose 50-0 to another team and yet see my players encouraging and cheering each other on, displaying great sportmanship to their opponent and showing a relentless spirit on court, I truly believe that in such seemingly defeating moments, my team has already emerged as victors, earning an internal medal that would last a lifetime to cherish.
To me, that would be the greatest medal a coach could ever receive.

Yet, this can be something tremendously draining.
And tonight's training was one of them.
It's never easy coaching a team consisting of different individuals, each uniquely attributed by their mindset and attitude be it on court or off.
It gets even more discouraging when you see your own players lashing out against another team mate on court.
It really saps a whole load of energy within me to see such things happening.
Draining.

So, I sit here now, asking myself what can I do to show them that unseen and intangible medal.
How do I show my players that medals are won not by defeating another club but more than that, by displaying the right mindset, attitude and perspective towards each other, especially between club members.
What can I do to build them up in character?
How do I show them that character precedes winning?

That medal,
How do we win it?



14 comments:

ky March 2, 2009 at 9:20 AM  

lol, just be yourself bro, you'll develop your own style, not need to be all ferguson giving the hairdryer treatment all the way. haha.

and i totally agree with the internal medal thing.. haha.. and its super frustrating cuz our mental tak cukup kuat lagi. haha. keep it up! you'll improved along the way. XD

by the way, it was definitely thomas that day, he was back for a few days break. hehe. i contacted him through friendster.

Christopher Koh March 2, 2009 at 9:25 AM  

Me? Ferguson? Nah, I don't like MU anyway. Hahaha.

I get frustrated usually not at my players but more at myself cause' can't figure out the best way or a suitable way to penetrate my players' mental/attitude. Mental tak kuat.. Haha.

Oh izzit? Haha. Yea, I thought it was him. Go get his hp number next time jemput him play with us :)

Anonymous,  March 2, 2009 at 9:34 AM  

coach! in everything it is a learning curve. as much of a pain we might be to you, you are doing an awesome job. keep it up! (:

Christopher Koh March 2, 2009 at 9:36 AM  

Hahaha.
U guys aren't a pain to me lar.. Cisss..
Make me sound so ungrateful only.. Hahaha..
But thanks for the encouragement, appreciate it tonnes! :)

ky March 2, 2009 at 9:46 AM  

haha, he's just an example of a fiery manager/coach. i was merely suggesting that you dont have to be like anybody, everyone has their own style due to personality and knowledge. i cant be like ming hwee, the innovative type, i m the more rigid, repetitive type. haha. but i think it's good to adapt others strength into your own, to spice things up a bit. XD

yeah, i agree. i find it hard too, to drill my players mentally to, i suck at man management, luckily ming hwee is superd in that, super persuasive, like prof x, haha brain wash you. i try and learn from him la, maybe you need a side kick like that. haha..

yeah, now that you remind ma, maybe i shld leave him my phone number, but i think he just wants to be alone.

eh the blog how? you think you can do it? i try and ask linken to do the 1st period..

Christopher Koh March 2, 2009 at 9:49 AM  

Haha. Okok, absorb and adapt. :) Ok, I learn from the Captain. Hehe.

He wants to be alone? So weird wan. Hmm.. Ok lar.

Wah, I can hardly remember who scored and how they score. Er.. How?
Asks Linky lar, since he was the ref. He should know more than the two of us. Hahaha.

ky March 2, 2009 at 9:51 AM  

i ald update the scores as draft and i ask termin to help out with how the goals was score. you try and crap it through la, i'll see what i can do later tonight. haha..

Christopher Koh March 2, 2009 at 9:52 AM  

Ok ok set.. Wah, u managed to get Term to help do ar?.. U oso quite persuasive hor.. Hahaha.

ky March 2, 2009 at 9:56 AM  

haha... term no need to persuade wan la, he like that kind of stuffs, i think, haha.

remember to text each other cuz we might never know who is on fire and updating it. scare clash with each other and erase others stuff/

Anonymous,  March 2, 2009 at 10:07 AM  

encouragement? nah.. i'm just being honest. you're good at what you do. grow it more and you'd be awesome. you're not terrible at all!! sometimes we are too terrible..hehe

i'm amazed. at the span of 30 minutes you and ky turned this comment box into a chat box -.-

super smazed..

ky March 2, 2009 at 10:08 AM  

haha.. that's the power of borak!! haha...
come. join us!!! XD

Christopher Koh March 2, 2009 at 10:09 AM  

I gotta give it to KY though...
He has the fastest finger to that F5 button.. Hahahaha.

ky March 2, 2009 at 10:12 AM  

haha.. i dont need to use f5, i just keep the tab on visit every 1 - 2 mins. haha.. i have even started working. crap!! hahaha...

Anonymous,  March 2, 2009 at 11:09 AM  

wah..hebat lar you both..F5 and tab all come out d..best..

for once..thank goodness i'm computer illiterate..i wouldn't be able to keep up..lol

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