The Holy Grail

Why is it that each generation of young coaches has to go in
search of the Holy Grail, that place or person who has the answer? Over the
past several months I have run into too many coaches starting out in the field
or early in their career who are seeking the answer. The problem as I see it
they do not yet know what questions to ask. They have not made enough mistakes
yet to sharpen their skills. I do not know who said this, but truer words have
never been spoken – It takes twenty years to be an overnight success. That
certainly reaffirms what I have seen. The other quote that resonates for me is
from is from Gertrude Stein – “The answer is there is no answer.” The fact of
the matter is there is no Holy Grail or fountain of knowledge, nor is there no one
answer. The challenge is to keep learning, keep asking questions. Formulate a philosophy
and that should not change. Your philosophy is your guiding light, your core
beliefs. These core beliefs should then guide your search for answers, it
should provide a context to evaluate what is good and what is bad in what you
are doing and adjust accordingly. It is my opinion that there is no entitlement
in coaching, you have to prove yourself at each step of your career. Frankly I
feel sorry for some of the coaches I have seen thrust into positions they did
not earn or are not ready for. They quickly become experts who do not know what
they don’t know. Unfortunately there is too much of this today. Coaching and
the ability to coach is special. It demands a focus and commitment second to
none. There is no simple way to prepare for this except to acquire hands on
experience. I think every coach should start out at the elementary school or
middle school level that is the real world. The basics and the skills you learn
in teaching and coaching at that level are invaluable. The other day at
volleyball practice I flashed back to almost 40 years ago when I was working
with one of the girls on throwing. A simple skill that is a precursor to much
of what happens in striking a volleyball. Without my experience teaching Junior
High School gym class I would never have learned that. The JV coach asked where
I had learned that. I must have had a class somewhere but all I can remember is
that early on I had a bunch of kids who could not throw so I had to teach them.
There is no substitute for that kind of experience. The last thought here is to
remember that coaching is high touch not high tech, there is no substitute for
being able to demonstrate the skills. Enjoy the journey, make up your mind to
continually learn. Don’t be satisfied with one answer, keep asking questions.