Almost every student has a sport they are passionate about, and in order for them to get the best experience, our coaches need to be on top of their game. If an athlete needs to improve, it would be best to ask a coach questions in order to get better.
Our student coaches have very good advice to give to the students around the school. According to Justin Young, our school’s volleyball coach, all athletes need to put in effort, even if they don’t succeed the first time they try.
“Be brave enough to fail,” Coach Young said.
As for Sydney Swanson, assisting the boys soccer team, it is important for students to love their sport and to have a good mentality about how they play.
“It’s not always about the win,” Swanson said. “It’s about the integrity, the drive and the passion you have for your sport.”
When a coach is looking for students however, most seek a loud athlete that stays calm during tough situations. When an athlete might make a mistake, one of the best things that can be done is get up and try again. Coach Stacey Pezzelle agrees that the best thing students can do is move on and take criticism.
“Coachability is the first thing I look for,” Pezzelle said. “Can they take criticism/critiques and immediately apply it?”
When these individual coaches were asked about how to grow and shape their athletes into better stronger players, their responses varied all the way from trying new techniques to being more team oriented. But as for Mr. Young, making sure the players know they’re important is the most important part.
“Showing players that you believe in them and want what’s best for them,” Young said.
In order for athletes to improve, they need a coach like these coaches. These people truly take a ton of time out of their life to help young players improve. Coach Pezzelle plays a very important role in these students’ success.
“After every single game my athletes huddle up,” Pezzelle said. “I talk about the game, what was good, what we need to work on. Then EACH athlete gives a specific put up to another player on our team- this focuses our attention on others and the good things they’re doing. So first the outward focus, then they point out one specific thing they want to focus on and do better at for the next game. I think it holds athletes accountable and forces them to admit they can improve instead of thinking they’re better than everyone else.”
It is very clear, these coaches care about their athletes and don’t forget to help each of them improve. Just by the way these coaches talk about their athletes, it is obvious that they have nothing but love for them.