Most of the top coaches I know do not allow athletes enough input into their own training. Elite coaches are “controlling” by nature.
This is short-term gain for long-term pain in many cases.
The best case scenario is an athlete who feels ownership of their own career — with the coach as their most important adviser. Certainly by age 16 the athlete should be making most of the decisions.
You know coaches like this. Fantastic with up-and-coming gymnasts. But who cannot work with successfully with young adults.
Coaches must realize that children need to learn how to make good decisions as they learn how to do a Tsukahara. It takes many years of progressions. Many small steps.
Problem is … it’s easier to teach a Tsuk than how to make “good decisions”.
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Decision Making
Do we want our children, athletes, to learn to make good decisions? Then we need to allow them to practice in a controlled situation. I believe that the more decision making situations they are put in the better. Small decisions but definitely decisions. They will eventually be 12 years old with more decisions out of our control than we would like. Better to train them now.
They will be asked:
Want to pass a note in class?
Want to take a puff on a cigarette?
Want to take a sip of beer?
Want to skip class?
Want to waste time in practice?
Want to sneak out of the hotel room after everyone is asleep?
Etc.We won’t always be there. Scary thought? Life. We prepare them to make their own decisions which we hope will be reasonable decisions that they can live with. Can we keep them under our wing, under our control, forever? Not likely. Prepare them now so we can sleep later.
Whoops, Wrong Decision
Just because we put them in a situation where they can make a decision doesn’t mean we have to abide by their decision. We let them make a choice but we don’t let them have the final word. We guide them. And no, it isn’t hurtful for them to be told that they didn’t make the right decision. That is part of our job. Let them make the decision in minor situations and let them “practice” making a decision in a bigger situation.
We are still the adults. We are still the people who know what is best for these “children.” Practicing decision making is a lot better than allowing them the ultimate control over the decision. So let them practice and learn from their correct choices and their not so correct choices.
Tom Burgdorf
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