Pro/elite Groups I have a team question

She has mental issues and her performances will tank as soon as something goes wrong in college

Boy I hope you're wrong.

Have you seen this personality flaw in others?

She's obviously an athletic diva who's only comfortably physically dominating the competition. The fact that she's that way even with members of her own team is troubling. She's going to have problems as soon as she races people equally as good or better than her. I imagine she'll quit then as her ego probably couldn't handle that.

You're probably trolling, but if not we have one here in my area of Michigan as well. The prima donna's don't like competition as they don't want "anyone else" to be in the limelight. I would not give her the option of having quality teammates or not, she's an athlete, not the coach.

HS Coaching dilemma wrote:

I coach a highly successful female distance runner. She is a Junior that is defending State Champ. She works hard and races harder.

She does not want any quality teammates.

It feels like she is working against me when trying to get other quality girls out for the team. She even acts crappy toward the top guys that I coach.

She is otherwise a great kid. Super coachable, smart and liked by her competitors.

Was wondering if any Pro/Elite Groups have anything similar and if so how it is handled?

I'm kinda fearful that you are right. Do you have examples? The more high profile the better. I would like to point them out to her in an attempt to get her to change.

Good advice, if she listens;)

HS Coaching dilemma wrote:

I'm kinda fearful that you are right. Do you have examples? The more high profile the better. I would like to point them out to her in an attempt to get her to change.

I really doubt people are going to give specific names of people or groups if that's what you are looking for. Does she realize she is this way? Or is your plan of showing her examples the first time you will be confronting her about it? Also if you give her the most attention out of everyone, that should probably stop. You can't let her control the team dynamic because eventually she is going to graduate and you are going to need other quality runners.

Look, she's in high school so she's still a child. And she's acting like a child.

There is no job, no position in the world, where you will be successful or liked if you behave poorly towards your peers. Unless you're Stalin or something.

This isn't just a running thing, it's a life lesson that she needs to learn. It's not acceptable for her to behave in such a way that she discourages her teammates. School sports are learning opportunities as much as they are athletic endeavors, and it is your job as an educator to make sure she learns to behave in a way that will allow her to become a productive member of society.

I would have a frank talk with her about it. If I were coaching a team and I thought one of the members were damaging it, I might threaten to hold them out of meets. I know it's probably not quantifiable and so you'll have some trouble figuring out when she crosses the line, but my point in general is that I absolutely think it's more important for kids to be successful in their future lives than to race well in high school.

And to treat their peers with respect, in general.