Pirate's Log
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Pirate's Log |
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Log Entries 3/7/7
Old Entries |
Log Entry 3/7/7 My reflections on Winning (by Coach Steve Morisani, Jr.)
Is it all about the win, or is
it about developing fundamentally sound players? To win, or not to win?
That is the question. If you
play a team that is tactically and technically superior to your team,
should you just throw in the towel and admit defeat? Should you try to
rally the troops, inspire them to greatness, and go down swinging? Should
you even play the game?
Then answer, invariably, must be
'yes' to the third question.
There's an old saying: that
which does not kill you will make you stronger. That maxim could not
be any more true today. Playing top-notch opposition is the only way to
'elevate your game' and discover what your team really can and can't do.
Successful teams, companies, and individuals are all ones that, when
challenges arise, meet the obstacle head on and deal with it. This is a
value we must instill in our players, or we surely will never win a
meaningful championship in the future.
I say all of this as coach of a
team humbled, 8-1 to an opponent that was our superior in every way. We
were badly overmatched, yet, for 45 minutes of that 70 minute game, we
played as if the score was 0-0. We defended as if the outcome was very
much in doubt even though the score was 4-1 at the half and 6-1 by the
time our opponents broke our ability to win. We tried--with every fiber of
our being--to maintain possession against a team that played as if there
were 16 of them and the field dimensions were 45 x 60. Every girl on that
team was a sniper. Every girl on that team had a first touch under
pressure that was first-class. Every girl on that team could read the
field and read it well. What do they have that we don't? That's another
question, for another Pirate's Log entry.
Those of you lucky enough to
watch the game saw what high school soccer can be and invariably will be
if we pay our dues, put in our time, and take our lumps. We are a
community of better soccer players because some of us are not afraid to
take a beating now and then. Some of us are not afraid to travel to ODP
events, Club Soccer events, and High School games against teams like Union
High School. Should we not try to make the most of our Club Soccer and ODP
experience? I say we MUST. Exposure to tough competition is the only way
to compete against tough competition. Club soccer and ODP are vehicles to
develop and expose the quality youth soccer players; don't let your kids
get distracted by the always necessary but often abused 'social aspect' of
sports. The kids may be there to make friends, yes, but not at the expense
of learning soccer FIRST.
We are fortunate to have one of
the best, if not the best, organized youth soccer associations I have seen
in some time. Should we, as the 'final stop' for so many soccer player's
careers, not take the responsibility of helping that organization blossom?
Everyone must not be afraid. It
may take years, but there is a high school soccer championship with
Fairhope High School's name on it. Are you willing to pay your dues? Are
you willing to coach a youth team and not keep track of wins and
losses? Are you willing to learn the laws of the game? Are you willing to
take the time to listen to others who have more experience, more ability,
and more knowledge? Are you willing to put your trust in your child's
coach, not second guess him, and support him? Do you have a coach that
puts the needs of his team above his own or above the needs of some of his
'superstars'?
Just some things to think about
as we wind our way through another soccer season.
Steve Morisani, Jr.
Fairhope High School Head Coach, Varsity Girls Soccer |
This page was last updated 01/14/09