I doubt Dave has much to smile about after today's workout. Just another day of attempted homicide by the coach.....
Categories: Rowing, FC, Photo
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
I guess I do know what I'm doing
I haven't posted in awhile and I'm sure everybody thinks I'm not going to use this blog until next season. That's not the case. Unlike my usual steam-of-consciousness writing, I have been thinking about the season for a few days before I write anything.
If anyone had asked me how the season had gone just before we left for Midwest, I'm not sure how positive I could have been. There was lots more "drama" this year, very little of it constructive. I spent a lot of time frustrated; at the rowing, other coaches, selection nightmares and a complete inability to decide on what boats I wanted to enter. I felt like an idiot, dithering between multiple entries, struggling to get enough entries so everyone could get a race. Ultimately, I failed on that mission. I'm no longer sure if that's a justifiable purpose of the entries anyway.
Then came the results at Midwest. Points trophy. Medals. Great, close racing a year before I thought we would be ready. I know I've repeated this before, but Joe and I didn't think any of those points trophies would happen until next year. After all, there are no seniors on this team. Everyone will return, hopefully.
Despite all the strife and stress, the guys performed well at Midwest. It was a real boost to their morale and mine as well. Then off we went to South Niagara and really hammered things home. Making the finals up there is an accomplishment, given the level of competition. In the senior races, the Canadian schools are very competitive with large, well-funded and attended programs. Watching my little guys racing toe-to-toe with these huge Canadian programs was an epiphany: I just might know what I'm doing after all.
Before anybody thinks this is a self-serving, pat myself on the back post, you must understand that this year has been really difficult for me. I've had lots of doubts this time around about what I was doing. I didn't know if I was connecting with the guys as well as I could, or if I was preparing them properly. There just seemed to be too much periphery garbage swirling around, distracting everyone from what our goal always is: fast boats. Really, really fast boats.
Just like last year, it seems my crew is "cresting" just after Midwest. Perhaps this is a message that I haven't quite gotten yet. Other teams focus their seasons around the Junior Invite. Is next year the year to start that for us? With my plan to have separate lightweight and heavy "programs" with no overlap between, both top boats should have lots of time to gel together, something that we lacked this year. Selection should be a little easier next time around as well, as the focus will be those top two eights. There are enough returning guys to have a second 8 as well, a true JV boat to compete with the others, pushing with everyone else. Imagine, third year into my tenure and we'll have three experienced eights on the water, with a separate novice team developing the future.
Getting a little grandiose in my plans, aren't I? Perhaps not. What worked so well last year, telling the guys to dream high and give your best shot really worked well. I may have hobbled this year's squad a little with lower expectations. As a saying goes, "If you shoot for the moon and miss, you're still up in the stars." Higher expectations shouldn't increase the pressure on the guys, they should welcome it.
If anyone had asked me how the season had gone just before we left for Midwest, I'm not sure how positive I could have been. There was lots more "drama" this year, very little of it constructive. I spent a lot of time frustrated; at the rowing, other coaches, selection nightmares and a complete inability to decide on what boats I wanted to enter. I felt like an idiot, dithering between multiple entries, struggling to get enough entries so everyone could get a race. Ultimately, I failed on that mission. I'm no longer sure if that's a justifiable purpose of the entries anyway.
Then came the results at Midwest. Points trophy. Medals. Great, close racing a year before I thought we would be ready. I know I've repeated this before, but Joe and I didn't think any of those points trophies would happen until next year. After all, there are no seniors on this team. Everyone will return, hopefully.
Despite all the strife and stress, the guys performed well at Midwest. It was a real boost to their morale and mine as well. Then off we went to South Niagara and really hammered things home. Making the finals up there is an accomplishment, given the level of competition. In the senior races, the Canadian schools are very competitive with large, well-funded and attended programs. Watching my little guys racing toe-to-toe with these huge Canadian programs was an epiphany: I just might know what I'm doing after all.
Before anybody thinks this is a self-serving, pat myself on the back post, you must understand that this year has been really difficult for me. I've had lots of doubts this time around about what I was doing. I didn't know if I was connecting with the guys as well as I could, or if I was preparing them properly. There just seemed to be too much periphery garbage swirling around, distracting everyone from what our goal always is: fast boats. Really, really fast boats.
Just like last year, it seems my crew is "cresting" just after Midwest. Perhaps this is a message that I haven't quite gotten yet. Other teams focus their seasons around the Junior Invite. Is next year the year to start that for us? With my plan to have separate lightweight and heavy "programs" with no overlap between, both top boats should have lots of time to gel together, something that we lacked this year. Selection should be a little easier next time around as well, as the focus will be those top two eights. There are enough returning guys to have a second 8 as well, a true JV boat to compete with the others, pushing with everyone else. Imagine, third year into my tenure and we'll have three experienced eights on the water, with a separate novice team developing the future.
Getting a little grandiose in my plans, aren't I? Perhaps not. What worked so well last year, telling the guys to dream high and give your best shot really worked well. I may have hobbled this year's squad a little with lower expectations. As a saying goes, "If you shoot for the moon and miss, you're still up in the stars." Higher expectations shouldn't increase the pressure on the guys, they should welcome it.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Transitions
Well, this weekend brings the last race of the scholastic year, except Nationals. I really like how we brought this Welland race onto the schedule. There's no expectations or pressure. Really, it's about going up and having a little fun on a great race course.
The problem for me is always not to let my over-developed competitive streak get the better of me. I'll let that happen to the guys.
I've already started writing notes for next year. It's a never ending process, as Emily will tell anybody, thinking about your rowing team. It's no wonder coaches all go nuts, sooner or later. There will be some changes in how we train (again) but many things will stay the same. Expectations will be high for next year, as the senior class will be large.
I'm starting to plan out my presentations for the crew banquet. I don't think I'll be so serious this time around. Perhaps a few faux awards to go out to keep the parents amused? I have a long-winded reputation to uphold, after all. I wouldn't want to disappoint anyone. Perhaps awards for the worst haircut (mine), fashion sense (Steve the pirate), launch driving (me again), aim with an airsoft (me) or foulest mouth (me). I think I'm sensing a pattern here....
The problem for me is always not to let my over-developed competitive streak get the better of me. I'll let that happen to the guys.
I've already started writing notes for next year. It's a never ending process, as Emily will tell anybody, thinking about your rowing team. It's no wonder coaches all go nuts, sooner or later. There will be some changes in how we train (again) but many things will stay the same. Expectations will be high for next year, as the senior class will be large.
I'm starting to plan out my presentations for the crew banquet. I don't think I'll be so serious this time around. Perhaps a few faux awards to go out to keep the parents amused? I have a long-winded reputation to uphold, after all. I wouldn't want to disappoint anyone. Perhaps awards for the worst haircut (mine), fashion sense (Steve the pirate), launch driving (me again), aim with an airsoft (me) or foulest mouth (me). I think I'm sensing a pattern here....
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