This past weekend I had a team participate in the State Tournament in our TAAF Region. I could tell the girls were unsure of themselves because we were missing teammates and our last tournament did not go so well. However, the first set was going in our favor. We were ahead 13 to 23, and then we hit a wall. Only being two away from a win, the girls let the opponent score ten points on serves. It was one mistake after another, so points were adding up against us. They ended up losing that set 27 to 25. Luckily the second set went in our favor and we won by eight points. So like any coach, I felt as if we would win the third set because the momentum was with us. Nope! The opponent scored seven points before we even scored once. (FACE SLAP!) Although, we did manage to get things back under control, but ended up losing the set 15 to 9.
Our second game was no different. We were ahead and then that same wall smacked us in the face. Why could they not finish what they started? What was so hard about keeping the momentum regardless of a few mistakes? It was a true test of my coaching abilities. At that moment I was disappointed in them for just giving up. I had to realize they were either twelve years old or younger and did not know how to process making mistakes in a positive and effective way. It sucked to see them shut down on themselves and I could not do anything about it.
As a coach and even a mentor, this will happen. Regardless of age and experience. So what do you do as their coach to get them through it? Do you tell them to suck it up and get over it? Do you baby them and have sympathy? They need an equal amount of tough love and sympathy. As the coach,you must decide when is the best time to address the situation and what approach should be taken to get your point across. Also, you need to prepare them mentally. Train them to focus on each play and not the outcome of the game. My coach used to tell me “Every play is a new play. Let that last mistake go because you can’t fix it. But you can fix how you address your next move.” By preparing them mentally you’re teaching them to coach themselves and how to pick their faces up off the floor and FINISH IT!
References:
1. Cohn, P. (n.d.). How to Finish Strong : Going for the Knockout Blow. Retrieved from Peak Performance Sports.
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