Interesting phrases, but wise words

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Although the focus of this blog is to highlight women in coaching, I would not be the person, athlete, and coach I am today without my father.  You see, even before I was old enough to stand or even hold something, my dad began coaching me.  Many of my favorite memories of my childhood revolve around my dad and I spending time in the yard playing wiffle ball or him chasing me around the house while I was wearing a football helmet.  (I’ll admit that I wanted to play football as that was the sport I remember my dad coaching and officiating when I was just a toddler.)  I also am so appreciative that my dad, and my very supportive and understanding artistic mother, decided early on to support my passion for sports.  When there was no team for my friends and me to play, my parents decided that they weren’t going to take no for an answer and they formed one.  When our county was the last one in our area to continue to play slow pitch softball, my parents found a fastpitch league that would let me play; they also drove the 90 minutes that it took to get there several times a week.

During the many years spent with my parents at the ballpark I learned many lessons and expressions that I still keep with me today.  You see, my parents were always with me either coaching or cheering from the sidelines.  As a result, they have made a tremendous impact on me, and I will admit that without my dad’s influence I would not be the coach that I am today.  So, I thought that I would share two of my favorite expressions that my Dad, and eventually my mom, would use over and over again.

• The cream always rises to the top.

While I used to roll my eyes at this expression, it has now become one of my favorites.  I have found that when my team or a particular athlete is facing some sort of adversity and is discouraged, this expression tends to come out of my mouth.  It just fits perfectly; in seven short words I am able to tell them to keep their head up, trust in themselves and their abilities, and that with perseverance they will come out the overall victor.

• It’s the last game/period/few minutes of the match/season, so you can’t hold anything back.

I don’t know about you, but I love this saying!  How many times have we gone to take that last timeout as time is winding down or gone into the last game of the season with so much riding on the end result and needed to find a way to push past the anxiety or other emotions and just play?  When it comes to these times I have found that this expression is a great way to frame the situation, give direction, and motivate everyone (coach and athletes) to let all their worries go and take that leap or make that final push to be successful.  When you help to promote a “no fear” situation, as a coach you are able to remove some of the pressure and make it fun.

Now that you’ve been exposed to some of Dad’s favorite sayings, and ones that our entire family and any athletes who have been coached by us can repeat on cue, you can see that we have an interesting way of expressing our thoughts and desires for the athletes we coach.  However, I wouldn’t have it any other way!  I have learned a great deal from my parents, but especially my dad, on how to be a solid athlete, an effective coach, and a better person.  However, above all I have learned how to embrace a passion and a love for something and share it with others.

So…I thought it would be interesting for others to share any expressions or lessons that they have learned throughout their sports career.  I look forward to hearing any stories or wise words you’d like to share!