Coaching for Competition Update

Over the last few weeks, I have written about Coaching for Competition during COVID.  I have found that much of what I have thought through has come in handy! I found myself reminding me of many of my words. 

Since beginning this series, just a few weeks ago, I have had one cheerleader quarantined, a tumbling coach quarantined, a sprained ankle and a sprained finger. I have had two members out on a pre-planned vacation because we would not normally be competing at this time.  

Our league championship is on Thursday and we have not done our routine full out.  

Keep it Simple 

I fought off my urge to give them stunts they were close to mastering.  I gave them stunts that I knew they could hit.  I am so glad I did that because they have not run the routine full out. If I had any stunts in the routine that I was not 100% confident about, I would be worried about our competition. They do know the entire routine.  They have done each section with stunts a few times, so when we put it all together this week, I feel confident we will hit because there is nothing in the routine they cannot hit solid most of the time. 

Practice like it is your last and only practice 

This has come in so handy. Due to rarely having the entire team there, I am so grateful my team has taken on this mindset!  I remind them each time that it may be the last time we are together before we compete because we don’t know if someone will need to quarantine or if there will be an injury. At our last practice as a team, it is when we had the sprained finger.  I am thankful for what we had accomplished at the last practice so we can be more confident going into this week.  

It is not about the Trophy

I am reminding my team that it is an accomplishment just to make it to competition this season.  We need to go out and do the best we can do.  On the competition mat and only on the mat, they will be able to remove their masks.  When they do, I want their smiles to shine like they never have before. They have a ton to be proud of.  

You, as a coach, have a ton to be proud of.  You have persevered through an uncertain season.  You have stayed dedicated to your team and have weathered so many storms.  If you are competing or wherever your team may be performing, be proud of just being there!  You deserve the best!