Sunday, September 24, 2023

Adapt and Overcome: Tether Yourself to Veteran Leaders

"Two is one and one is none." The Navy SEALs inform this adage to execute "life and death" missions.

It also applies in training. One SEAL candidate was doing everything well but narrowly failed the long-distance swim, missing the time by a few seconds. Instructors gave him a second chance, pairing him with a strong swimmer who literally helped pull him to a passing mark (swimmers were tethered together).

As a young player finding your way, look to experienced players like Sadie, Grace, and Leah for advice. Sadie developed close friendships with Elena and Gia, working her way into playing both in the front and the back.

Underclassmen like Sabine, Emme, and Anna, 'tie yourselves' to veterans to leverage their experience and resilience as part of the team culture of winning.

Twenty-years ago the team had great senior leadership with Marianne Foley, Erin Hudd, Amanda Labella, Denise Applegate and others and up and coming young guns in support. Coach Scott Celli's coaching and solid talent translated into Melrose's first sectional title. 

Two concepts from UNC Soccer Coach Anson Dorrance apply: 1) continual ascension with daily player development and the 2) competitive cauldron where players push each other to higher levels. 

Continual ascension shows up with both the 'eyeball test' and statistics. I think that both Sabine (12) and Manon (11) put up career highs in kills against Wakefield. Add in the steadiness of the back row (Grace, Maggie, and GiGi) and offense from Sadie and the "score takes care of itself." 

Alex Homan had a career day on the service line and Sofia Papatsoris's best volleyball is ahead of her. 

Coaches don't go it alone either. We read, study, watch video and courses, and seek input from other coaches. 

Lagniappe. Anson Dorrance discusses Calvin and Hobbes and ascension. 


"You get to decide who you're gonna be."
 

Dorrance answers the question, "what are you an expert in?" 


Charles Barkley asks, "what is your NBA skill?" As a player, what skill do you have or will you develop to get and keep you on the floor?

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