Everyday, to me, is a learning experience. The people I meet, the things I see, feel, hear or even experience. In my heart, I am happy to say, that I have been privileged to coach a team. Not just any team, but a football team.
Football is teamwork. One cannot make a goal withoout the help of another player. Each kick, chest catch, head-butt or ball control is a well-calculated team effort.
Although I am a seasoned player, I still learn from the team I helped coach this semester. They continuously remind me to remain grounded. They also continue to teach me to respect each and everyone. That each player is unique and different. No player should be ignored. Everyone should be remembered. Even if they are not the best player on the team, they're still entitled to respect. Even if they can't kick well, or can't catch the ball well, they have to be respected. Without them, a team is nothing.
As an assistant coach, I got to know the players more. What they like, what they don't like, what they're into, what course are they taking, if they're far away from their loved-ones or not, if they have a problem (financially, emotionally, etc.). In short, I learned to respect them and in the long run, I also learned to love them and treat them like my own siblings. We would bond, eat together, leave the field together, spend long-talks over the phone, or just simple heart to heart talks.
Now that I am no longer going to be with the kids I bonded with for the entire semester, I learned an imporant lesson. Well, lessons.
Lesson Number 1:
"I learned to respect and agree with what my players think and suggest."
- Like a game of chess, as a player, I am oblivious to the blind moves I make on the field (may it be decision-making ones or in relation to the team in general). The players, like spectators in a chess game, sees these moves. And they will tell you what's on their mind. If it's no longer good for the team, they will tell you wholeheartedly and honestly that what you're doing is not correct. And the best thing to do is: LISTEN.
Lesson Number 2:
"I believe in the team knows better than the coach."
- The players have ideas on how to play the game better, BECAUSE, they're the ones who are ACTUALLY playing the game. As a coach, this rings true. You may have past experiences in the football field, but what might've worked for you, won't be applicable to your players now.
So, you might be Laughing My F***ing Ass Off, from reading this. But I say, I am Learning More From Another One, and that is from a simple team player,with a great mind of his/her own.
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