Coach's Corner

Deep thoughts and musings by Coach MB and the wonderful staff at Rippers!

I've read a lot about the demise of youth sports.  Our kids are specializing in a single sport, or dropping out of sports altogether, at astounding rates.  It seems that the joy of simply playing is vanishing. That the reason we play sports is to “get to the next level.”  This could mean a college scholarship, acceptance onto an elite travel team, or even a professional career.

One of the reasons that I started Rippers is to create a program for high school girls where they can have balance and, hopefully, still experience the joy of playing.  We celebrate our multi-sport athletes and have built a program that tries to support their quest for balance and love of the game.  

My hope for our Rippers players this to find balance in their lives and harness the sheer joy of playing sports.  We are going to get outside of our comfort zones, try new things, and, if we happen to feel like we are failing, remember that it’s only a game!

Each time as we launch into another season I think about :  PROMISE.  The start of the season holds so much promise.  Your story, your team's story has yet to be written and you get to help write that story.  Your hard work in the off-season, slogging through practices in the rain, and sprints in the dark may seem punishing and, at times, futile.  But, collectively, your hard work and your teammates' holds so much promise for the season.  It offers insurance that the season will be a success because you know that you've put in the time and because you care!  

One thing that I always stress to my players is, and stop me if you've heard this before, "to be a good teammate."  A good teammate puts the team first.  A good teammate shows up early for extra reps.  A good teammate stays late to help pick up equipment.  A good teammate picks up their teammates.  There are countless examples, so I'll let Positive Coaching Alliance tell it best in this article that I look to at the start of every season.  

If you can be a good teammate, I promise that your season will be a successful one.