She says she has hated it for a year. So looking for some ideas to help her out. She hasn't run all summer.
She says she has hated it for a year. So looking for some ideas to help her out. She hasn't run all summer.
I don't think she needs your help seeing as how she isn't interested in running right now.
Move her to the 800m.
don't make this about you coach wrote:
I don't think she needs your help seeing as how she isn't interested in running right now.
That's the standard Letsrun answer. If as a coach you didn't TRY to help people then why coach? Hey you don't like running today, don't run. You aren't fast, run faster. blah, blah, blah. She wants to be on the team but knows I won't just let her show up for the social side and she's trying to find the love again, that's why I want to help her. If she didn't reach out and just disappeared then I would just write her off.
She just wants you to beg her. Don't fall for it
Are you coaching in one of those states which allows 7th graders to compete as varsity athletes? I am guessing the teenage female is going to be a junior or a senior. I am guessing the teenage female has been a varsity athlete for four school years already. I won't guess anymore.
The key is to ask "why" 3 or 4 times. You say you hate running, why? Because it isn't fun for me... WHY isn't it fun for you? Because I am not improving ... WHY aren't you improving? Because I feel too much pressure ... WHY?
So, a suggestion is to probe to understand more deeply why she doesn't want to run. Only then can you determine if it is something you can help her with.
Coach Rx wrote:
The key is to ask "why" 3 or 4 times. You say you hate running, why? Because it isn't fun for me... WHY isn't it fun for you? Because I am not improving ... WHY aren't you improving? Because I feel too much pressure ... WHY?
So, a suggestion is to probe to understand more deeply why she doesn't want to run. Only then can you determine if it is something you can help her with.
Thanks. That's something that actually starts to help rather than the standard answers.
Tell her to quit and go play soccer. SERIOUSLY, if you don't like it then it's not for you at the present time.
My rule has always been that I’ll recruit you once. If I manage to get them to come out for the team as freshmen and they later decide they don’t like it or want to step away, I don’t try to recruit them back to the team. It’s not for everyone.
In this girl’s case, it sounds like she hasn’t stepped away yet, but is either crying for help or attention. Maybe you can convince her to run in a group on her normal runs and enjoy the team aspect for a while. Does she feel pressure to perform well? If so, from whom?
Some kids say they hate running just to have a reason to explain away bad performances, should they have one.
The “4 Whys” advice was great. Get to the bottom of it, but don’t let her feel she can make you bend over backwards for her.
tell her to take a hike then.. why are you wasting your time filling a slot for some biatch that isn't even grateful to be apart of the team? there's plenty of brahs (or women) out there that would love to be a part of a team and love running. she sounds like she has no passion, kick her to the curb.
gtfobrah wrote:
tell her to take a hike then.. why are you wasting your time filling a slot for some biatch that isn't even grateful to be apart of the team? there's plenty of brahs (or women) out there that would love to be a part of a team and love running. she sounds like she has no passion, kick her to the curb.
If said female were a 24:xx 5K runner, said coach would walk away as you stated. Obviously, said female high school xc runner is an 18:xx or 19:xx 5K xc runner.
Tell her and her parents you think she can get a scholarship.
Just guessing ... wrote:
gtfobrah wrote:
tell her to take a hike then.. why are you wasting your time filling a slot for some biatch that isn't even grateful to be apart of the team? there's plenty of brahs (or women) out there that would love to be a part of a team and love running. she sounds like she has no passion, kick her to the curb.
If said female were a 24:xx 5K runner, said coach would walk away as you stated. Obviously, said female high school xc runner is an 18:xx or 19:xx 5K xc runner.
Sorry, not worth it even for an 18-19 minute girl. Other moderately talented girls will come along.
You don't need that kind of negativity on your team and short of a brain transplant you're probably not going to fix her attitude.
Complete waste. Let her leave and come back if the passion returns. Focus your time and energy on the kids who want to be there.
Coaching Challenges wrote:
She says she has hated it for a year. So looking for some ideas to help her out. She hasn't run all summer.
At the end of the day, if she doesn't like running, she isn't going to contribute to your team and could detract if she comes out for xc anyways. Unless you are hurting for people I'd let her to go if you can't motivate her. The world needs cheerleaders and soccer players too.
Remember when you were in HS? Remember when you hated to do something? Remember when the adults around you kept saying "Just try it"? Well, she did. She hates running. Keep at her and she'll hate you, too. How about this:
"Well, we'd love to have you. I think you could really make a contribution, but I understand how you feel. My door is always open. If you change your mind or want to give it another try, I'd love to talk with you about it."
You can't coach a love for running. It can be nurtured, but it is up to the athlete to find enjoyment in the sport. It'll prove near impossible to "convince" a kid to love running.
lkmn wrote:
Tell her to quit and go play soccer. SERIOUSLY, if you don't like it then it's not for you at the present time.
/thread
pop_pop!_v2.2.1 wrote:
lkmn wrote:
Tell her to quit and go play soccer. SERIOUSLY, if you don't like it then it's not for you at the present time.
/thread
NOPE. You do not tell her to do anything. Let her be.
I divide my high school kids from the jump. I tell them in a serious manner if they want to work hard to self-select themselves and that usually works to only get the kids that really want to give it the effort (even then a few will decide to drop to the lower group after a bit). I understand for some it's a social activity moreso than a performance related one and I have no desire to deny them that opportunity, but I don't need to worry about that group, they normally just do easy runs. Of course there are some that I know can be really good and contribute, but it's not worth the effort trying to seriously coach someone who doesn't want to be good. I've been at the high levels of the sport and it's interesting to me how many people just do it for college scholarship money and even some pros who don't like the sport but just do it because they're good enough. I don't find the same disinterest in other sports, but I imagine it's because track is much more of an all-out effort and ultimately offers less reward than most other sports.