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coaching update
14/1/14 02:53 pmSo I coached at my first ever competition on Saturday! It was super intense - we drove all day Friday, the kids fenced all day Saturday, and then we drove back all day Sunday. Also I woke up Sunday morning with a cold + cramps, which was... fun. When I bought cold medicine and cough drops and pads and donuts at the gas station, the cashier was very sympathetic.
ANYWAY, I think the competition went well. It was kind of overwhelming, but I wasn't anywhere near as anxious as I am when I'm competing (I was still very anxious). A lot of STUFF happened. One of my kids got injured and also fell over like three times (not unexpected, with this kid). One of the grounded strips literally fell apart. One of my kids got like three cards, including a red card that gave his opponent two points. Okay, all of these things are with the same kid. I did coach other people, which involved a lot of jumping up and down, trying to get the one referee I like to do as many of the bouts as possible, and nearly getting in a fight with another referee. At least I didn't actually get in a fight, which can't be said for one of my fellow coaches, haha.
Overall, we got 7th in women's sabre, and falling-over kid got 9th in men's sabre. The two other guys got 22nd and 24th (out of 50-odd). It was great! It was a lot of fun coaching people who care and know what they're doing and just need a little push. Although I have lots of ideas for more things to work on.
I really like coaching, even though it's stressful and kids fall over and I get into arguments. Partly it's because the other coaches are great - they're around my age and very experienced and way less intimidating than I expected. Partly it's because coaching for an expensive private school is fun in that I didn't have to pay for meals or my hotel room etc. But also I just enjoy working with people and trying to help them get better. I'm a bossy person, so I've strip-coached for years, haha, but it's better when I feel legitimized by my coaching position.
Also on this trip the four sabre kids told me that I'm a better coach than my predecessor, which made me ridic happy. They added that I'm not as funny, though, so... whatever. I'll take it. Six more weeks of this season, with at least one meet every week. Hopefully I'll keep getting better at this coaching thing. And maybe eventually get over my cold. And start studying for that prelim exam.
ANYWAY, I think the competition went well. It was kind of overwhelming, but I wasn't anywhere near as anxious as I am when I'm competing (I was still very anxious). A lot of STUFF happened. One of my kids got injured and also fell over like three times (not unexpected, with this kid). One of the grounded strips literally fell apart. One of my kids got like three cards, including a red card that gave his opponent two points. Okay, all of these things are with the same kid. I did coach other people, which involved a lot of jumping up and down, trying to get the one referee I like to do as many of the bouts as possible, and nearly getting in a fight with another referee. At least I didn't actually get in a fight, which can't be said for one of my fellow coaches, haha.
Overall, we got 7th in women's sabre, and falling-over kid got 9th in men's sabre. The two other guys got 22nd and 24th (out of 50-odd). It was great! It was a lot of fun coaching people who care and know what they're doing and just need a little push. Although I have lots of ideas for more things to work on.
I really like coaching, even though it's stressful and kids fall over and I get into arguments. Partly it's because the other coaches are great - they're around my age and very experienced and way less intimidating than I expected. Partly it's because coaching for an expensive private school is fun in that I didn't have to pay for meals or my hotel room etc. But also I just enjoy working with people and trying to help them get better. I'm a bossy person, so I've strip-coached for years, haha, but it's better when I feel legitimized by my coaching position.
Also on this trip the four sabre kids told me that I'm a better coach than my predecessor, which made me ridic happy. They added that I'm not as funny, though, so... whatever. I'll take it. Six more weeks of this season, with at least one meet every week. Hopefully I'll keep getting better at this coaching thing. And maybe eventually get over my cold. And start studying for that prelim exam.
