Week One
While I am always a little uneasy when I agree with anything found on Angelica’s blog, I can’t agree more with his take on the first practice week. He, maybe more than anyone on this team, knows the struggles this club has had over the years. He hits the nail on the head when he talks of “sinking the hook.” Coach calls it “drinking the Cool-Aide.” No mater it’s name, we need many many players to make this year successful..
I spent the better part of Thursdays practice with the newer to the game players and I can say that I was thoroughly impressed. While THEY may feel like they didn’t know what the F was going on, I was impressed with their heart and determination to, “get it right.” Several of them took to the drills quite easily while others took a little longer. My advice to both groups of players at this point is simple. Listen.
Listen to the coaches. Listen to “how” we want you to do the drill, “how” your body position should be, “what” the purpose of the drill is and “why” we do the drill. Listen; don’t talk while others are coaching, they know what they are doing. Learn the rules. The faster you learn the rules, the easier the game is. Listen to the coaches when they tell you that you “broke a rule.” There is a reason they are telling you. We want you to learn because we want you to be better..we need you!
Listen to the explanation of the drills. Do them as best as you can with as much purpose as you can. Watch other players (preferably better players) and listen to them when they give you advice
Listen to the veteran players. They may be yelling words that you don’t understand and it may make your head spin…but listen. Try to not make the same mistake twice. There are plenty of mistakes to make…just don’t make the same one over and over. You don’t have to apologize for making a mistake; we all make them…many of them.
Well, there you go. Pretty lame advice if I do say so myself. I remember a bit of advice one of the great PRFC Old Boys gave me when I started… bring your cleats everywhere, you only learn by playing. If you are going to watch a preseason game or a college team play…bring your cleats. If someone says “anyone want to play?” Say yes. Learn as much as you can. If you’re a forward, learn about the backs and visa versa. Last, have a sense of humor. It is just a game.
Oops,
Tanner
2 comments:
This is more for any rookie reading this: rugby can be confusing when you start out. Unfamiliarity coupled with soreness of getting into shape can easily take away your motivation. What you need to understand is that at some point everyone had been in your shoes. Stick with the work outs, listen to the coaching, and ask questions. No one will ever judge you for trying to be better. Dedicate yourself to making it all of the way through the preseason regardless of the difficulties. From there you will have a firm grasp of The Team and a fair understanding of whether or not rugby is your sport. But to not make that commitment and sacrifice will be to fail yourself and even worse, your new team mates. As I have stated before, having come to just a few practices believe it or not, your significance to the strength of the club should not be underestimate.
The most important thing you can take away from this game and this team is the importance of support both in the playing of the gamer itself but also in the process of being a member of The Club. Stick with it for everyone’s benefit.
not
FYI the "not" above is a typo. I posted before editing.
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