This morning when I was sitting outside in my yard, having a cup of coffee, a very interesting thought came to my mind.
I just thought what would have happened if the parents hadn’t screwed up their kids slowly over a period of time.
I love coaching squash and when I ask myself what my approach is to coaching, the answer is below:
1. I coach because I don’t have to but I want to coach.
2. Instead of asking if a kid can learn, I ask myself how I can coach this kid.
This morning when I was sitting alone this is what came in my mind as
what squash (sport) is and how their parents behave in kids’ entire
journey of squash.
Squash is like running a marathon. There are no quick results. In the
marathons that I have run, all I see is people lining up alongside on
the streets cheering every single runner. There is a lot of positivity
all around. And, runners of all levels participate.
There is no discouragement, only encouragement. People travel to
different spots to cheer the runners on, a lot of them do it for hours
together. They make sure that they are there during the last few miles,
when it becomes the toughest to run.
It is a lot of selfless effort. The runners are all happy that they are
participating in the event too. Kids playing or learning squash/sports
are running a marathon too. But I think parents and guardians forget
that.
I feel like they get on their bikes or cars and they are constantly
telling their kids how slow they are, and that they are not going to
make it. I am not sure how the kids will finish their marathon in this
environment.
Kids are innocent, and we need to make sure we are gentle and patient
with them. Comparing again with a marathon, someone running at 12
minutes a mile should not be compared to someone running at the pace of
8 minutes a mile. Both types of runners (kids) should be put in
appropriate groups.
IF the 11 minute/mile runner is asked to run with the 8 minute/mile
runners, he/she will not be able to keep up. And if this is done
repeatedly, they will burn out and lose interest because they will
constantly feel that they are not “good enough”.
The entire experience will become a nightmare for them. There is a
lesson for coaches here too. Parents are not experts, and we should not
take advantage of this fact. The Parent-student relationship should be
based on absolute trust and sincerity.
The prime job of a coach is to make sure kids love the sport! It is
really up to the kid in life where they want to go after they are able
to “Run the Marathon”. The coach should become the guide, available
with helpful advice and counseling.
And, coaches should use Squash to help kids build life skills too –
self-esteem, consistency in practice, humility, discipline, playing by
the rules, and adapting.
Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, the experience has turned
unpleasant for a lot of kids, making them feel like Squash is a chore
that they will do well to avoid.
It is my humble request to all – Please let us not screw up the kids!
The writer is a former national
player from Pakistan. He is now based in Houston. He is a squash
professional and a coach. He is also a life coach. He can be reached at
mo.sadiq@soapeng.com
