All of my athletes are moving up the chain of excellence. Why? They are doing their homework. But some athletes are more visible because they play pro or open racquetball. I am getting these emails and I do want to thank everyone and offer some advice myself!
Dear Advice Givers -here are a four examples of the advice and my response:
Coach-Your Athlete-
1. Tries too hard–
Response-It may look that way in the games lost but they play pretty much the same all the time. I do think we should have made adjustments. That’s on me more than my athlete because I was there.
2. Just seems like they do not care-
Response-It may look that way but in the matches won they played the same way! Trust me-the athlete sure cares and again back to the drawing board and we are working on it.
3. Has poor shot selection-
Response-Everyone says this when shots skip but nobody says it when the shots roll out!
4. Has a poor backhand-
Response–Come on now-we fixed that a long time ago!
Here is what many advice-givers are missing (except for some advice I have received from former number one pros-they get it and they went through it). This is not easy when you set out to win open and pro tournaments. This isn’t a participation trophy thing-we must learn to be consistent and move on. I do my best to impart that on my athletes and in defeat we do look for improvement. All of those things do not take away the sting of losing because as Ricky Bobby’s Daddy once said, “If you’re not first,…….” Well you know!
I love the fact that everyone wants to help and has advice and please keep the advice coming. I am only one coach and once in awhile someone sends something my way that is outside the box thinking. Some of the most brilliant minds in the game have helped me with their advice and I really listen to them. But regular fans have good advice too and I am open to all of it. One more thing-All of you want the best for my athletes and want to help. That is not a bad thing!!