Dealing with Setbacks

I have found myself attached to the television lately not only with the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but also to watch the beginning rounds of French Open. Today, a top tennis competitor, Serena Williams, was defeated in the first round of the Open. This was something that had never happened to her before. Watching her interview and how she handled the questions from the media, I took a moment to think about how she must be hurting so badly inside from this setback. I watched as Serena Williams said she would look ahead and start practicing hard for Wimbledon, which will be her next open. As I heard these words, I developed an even greater respect for her as an athlete. How gracefully she handled the loss and immediately went towards preparing for future success was a great example for athletes and coaches of all ages. Dealing with setbacks in athletics is something each one of us will deal with over our career.

Looking back on my playing and coaching career I have had a variety of setbacks each year. The important thing however, is how one responds to the setback and moves forward. This season my team was plagued with injuries and concussions. Our squad was already hurting for bodies, but we dealt with the setback and made the best of the situation. Setbacks in athletics can come in a variety of aspects. Just recently I had a player who was dealing with an injury and trying to move forward so she can get back playing right away. As a coach and role model, this is frustrating because it hurts to see your athletes struggling with setbacks, but it is our job to guide them in the right direction. Setbacks are part of the lessons in sport and like I tell each of my players “things happen for a reason”. It might not be the ideal situation nor what you want at that time, but in the end the setback makes you a stronger competitor, individual and athlete. In hindsight each setback I dealt with while playing, made an everlasting impact. There are many I wish never happened, but I can now look back and say they happened for a reason and have played a huge part in making the coach I am today.

As coaches, I hope we learn to embrace the setbacks we deal with during the season and make them into the best situations from which to grow and excel. It is obvious, Serena Williams had a coach/role model who guided her over her career to deal with these setbacks and move forward and is now proving to be that role model for future generations.