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PATIENCE AND THE RIGHT KIND OF DISCIPLINE
It was a great family get together, grandparents, cousins and siblings: the whole gang. As they sat gathered in the front room Baby Blll stood up took and took a few steps then fell back down.
The room immediately exploded with jeering and booing.
Is that what really happened? Of course not. The family did what families all over the world do::they all started cheering, applauding and encouraging. Baby Bill did what babies all over the world do when they are coached on progress: he stood up and tried a few more steps.
Coaching progress is something we do intuitively with infants. Unfortunately, the skill sometimes fades as the children become older.
Coach Wooden liked this quote from 19th century novelist George MacDonald.: "When we are out of sympathy with the young, then I think our work in this world is over."
The auditorium at Flintridge Prep was attentive as Coach Wooden did questions and answers with the audience at the end of basketball camp.
A young man rose and said: "Next season will be my very first as a head coach. What advice would you give me?"
Coach replied: "Be patient."
The same coach stood again and said: "Coach Wooden what other advice would you give me?"
Coach smiled gently and replied: "Be patient."
Coach believed patience with our youth is critical to their growth, reminding us: "All progress does not result in change, but all change is a result of progress."
Coach also believed the adult must give discipline and have self-discipline.
He was crystal clear on giving discipline; he said: "Those who dispense discipline must remember that its purpose is to help, to improve, to correct, to prevent -not to punish, humiliate, or retaliate."
Coach thought the adult must have the self-discipline to not intervene to fix things for the youngster. As he often reminded us: "The worst things you can do for those you love are the things they could and should do for themselves."
Are you patient, do you discipline to teach and do you let people fall down and get up on their own?
This is a good set of three from Coach Wooden to check yourself on.
Yours in Coaching,
Craig Impelman
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COACH'S FAVORITE POETRY AND PROSE
If
If I can keep my eyes focused on what's ahead,
And allow what's behind me to simply be dead –
Then I will make it.
If I can keep a firm grip on the present elements in my hand,
And wisely position my feet so that I always stand –
Then I will make it.
If I can accept that rocky ground and steep climbs
Are necessary obstacles to be conquered with patience and time -
Then I will make it.
If I can muster my strength to keep pressing on,
Especially in times when it seems I'm being baked by the sun –
Then I will make it.
If I can learn to crucify my pride,
By praying for strength and allowing my friends to stand at my side –
Then I will make it.
If I can fully embrace the good that's inside,
Relinquishing fear, doubt, and shame, so it can shine –
Then I will make it.
If I can do all of these things one day at a time,
Knowing that I'm not perfect, and that being fine –
Then I will make it.
Malcolm O. Varner
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