My energy matters
I thought I knew enough about volleyball.
Bump. Set. Spike.
Three tries to get it over the net.
Score on a serve. Oh wait, nope. They don’t do that any more.
My daughter started playing volleyball this winter. She and her sixth grade teammates, all trying the sport for the first time, were adorable in their little knee pads and their completely unsynchronized ACE chant. As a parent, I tried to keep up with the rotations while remembering all the names of her teammates.
I learned a couple things about twelve year olds and volleyball.
- It’s most likely a point if they can just get it over the net.
- Bring a book. Because you don’t leave a volleyball tournament. Even if you lose. You stay and line judge.
- The girls are having fun.
Yes fun. After each point they cheer. Each rotation brings a new handshake. Each server, a new chant. Between sets there are tutus and silly hats. Clothespin clips and little ducks to secretly leave for another team.
As a sports mom, it’s a whole new universe. And I’m here for it.
As a sports coach, I’m here for it too. Because here’s what my hours of bleacher sitting taught me – my energy matters.
The coach on the sideline, during the games, wasn’t really in charge of setting up plays (the girls rarely get it over the net). The coach wasn’t in charge of player load and management (everyone rotates in). During the game, between each point, between each set, the coach was in charge of energy.
Shake it off. Next ball. Great hit. Move your feet. Keep it up. I love it. Great effort.
Standing. Clapping. Smiling. Cheering. Instructing.
It was positive energy. Exciting energy. And guess what, the girls matched it.
The reverse was also true.
And the girls matched that too.
Nonverbals matter.
Tone matters.
Words matter.
It is all energy a coach gives to her team. It is all energy they receive and reproduce.
As a coach, if I want good energy from my team. I have to give it first.
My energy matters
because my team will match it.
How can you give energy to your team?
#playyou
Coach D
Thanks for reading and sharing. I hope it leaves you encouraged.