There’s More to It than Winning
“Win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” “Winning isn’t everything.” These cliches have been spoken for decades, but I wonder, is it really all about winning? Some might say yes, some no, but I will tell you one thing: I, personally, hate losing!
Through the years as a coach, I learned to give myself until midnight the night of a loss to dwell, reflect on ways our team can develop our weaknesses, and then move on. We obviously can’t take that game back, but we can learn from our losses.
I started my athletic career at a very young age; t-ball and soccer at the age of five, (one of the few girls to play soccer with boys by the third grade), swimming by the age of six, basketball at the age of nine, volleyball at the age of eleven and the story goes on. Suffice it to say, like many of you, I continued playing sports for some reason!!?? I am sure a part of you continued to play because you loved the game, the sport, and the competition. But there is a little part of you that also loved being with your friends and engaging in the camaraderie of the group?
A lot of coaches would say they coach to teach the game they love and then it just so happens that there is some winning in there. A lot of coaches would say it’s about winning, period. But, I’d venture to guess that if you asked your athletes, they’d give you a multitude of reasons why they participate in sports, winning is just one of the several.
Reasons Why Our Athletes Play the Game
Develop friendships: sports allows athletes to create friendships that they might not have otherwise formed.
Coaches: meeting role models and individuals that provide wisdom and encouragement.
Health: learning about proper nutrition to keep your body in shape.
Time management: learn how to balance time and prioritize between sports, activities, and academics.
Leadership skills: helps build leadership skills engaging in being a captain.
Improves confidence: learning a new skill and accomplishing it, builds on one’s self-confidence.
Prepare students for the future: self-discipline and motivation.
Teaches teamwork: learning how to work together is part of being successful as a team (oh and it does help in the winning category).
Winning
As coaches, how can we help our athletes broaden the definition of winning?
Practical Application
Ensure that our athletes are putting forth their best effort.
Allow athletes time to maturely assess the losses.
Reinforce the importance of mastering the fundamentals.
Establish dedication and pride toward teammates and coaches.
Winning is great and we all love having a little piece of it! However, there is definitely more to sports than winning!
