This Chapter (27) bijou bloggete here will not even make a pretence of being about MG.
So what's it all about Mark.... I don't hear you ask.
Sit down get comfy and I will tell you......
Today I experienced the highs and lows that come with a coaching position.
I watched a couple of young children conquer their self doubts and get their techniques working well.
This was immensely satisfying as I realised that some of the technical work I have been doing with them is finally paying off .
Just in case I was left with the idea that the problems are over, I then watched a couple of much more experienced children sleepwalk their way out of the medals.
Case 1
With a Yuko advantage I watched an experienced fighter collect 3 penalties in the last minute of his bronze medal contest. He has a habit of dropping to his knees and attempting low Seoinage without any preparation (flopping as it's known in the trade) With a comfortable lead all he was required to do was play safe and finish the fight.
The last of these penalties was for a completely unnecessary flop as the bell rang at the end of the contest.
With 3 penalties his comfortable lead was squandered .
As he realised he had lost, it got worse and he spat his dummy, turning his back and was about to storm from the mat.
This is the 2nd time he has done this in a week and he is close to becoming an embarrassment and a liability to the club.
He turned for what he knew would be unqualified support to his parents as he burst into tears. One of them later explained that he didn't consider it fair that they "took it off him"
I explained in a direct way that with 3 mistakes 2 for flopping and 1 for walking out of the contest area.
far from having it taken from here, he had in fact given it back himself.
Case 2
Another of my fighters having worked his way into the golden score then stopped attacking.
No amount of hints from me "open up now" time to get moving" made any difference as he appeared to go on strike . When the inevitable passivity penalty was given ( losing him the fight and medal) his parent screamed at the referee "what was that"? Or something similar. I realised that with only a rudimentry understanding of what they are watching these parents are consolidating their children's weaknesses by instinctively reaching for an excuse whenever they make they mistakes.
The inevitable consequence of this, is that these judoka, do not consider that they need to address any problems .
The inevitable logic of this position is that the child is already as good as he or she will ever be.......
(which now I consider it is probably true) !
Another day tomorrow for more of the same!
It must be very disheartening to have your kids hijacked like this.
ReplyDeleteNot wishing to sound racist... but isn't that "win at all costs" thing an American import? I would imagine that the requirement for constant self-criticism is built into judo a deep level - written into its constitution, if it has one. Also, I imagine, Mark, that you teach this as a fundamental to all your kids.
What about publishing a "parents' guide" to give to all your kids for their parents to read. If written carefully it could prevent them from getting in the way and diverting your students from the basic principles in the way you describe.
You got that right dear Pip (longest delay In reply ever goes to.... Mark Fricker)! I thought I had discovered this mindset but apparently it has a name (self serving bias) once understood it can be seen in every part of life. A good objective view of one's performance is critically important if any use is to be made of mistakes. I'm just preparing separate guides for parents competitors and coaches so you got that right too oh astute one! I hope you are well
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