Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
This isn't really a pointed question; it's just another thing to help me procrastinate.
I was talking to my sister yesterday. She captained a 2.5 team for one year and captained a 3.0 team for maybe 3-4 years. Each of her teams went to districts each year. The team was quite dominant; it wasn't unusual for them to finish undefeated. They never won state though, getting knocked out each year.
I was asking her what it was like to win like that, since I've never come close.
Her answer suprised me. She said that if she had it to do all over again, she wouldn't be quite so focused on winning. For instance, each year the bottom couple of players wouldn't be invited to return because they were the weakest and none of the better players wanted to play with them. Everyone wanted to win, and no one wanted to be the last to make it to 3.5.
Also, my sister didn't guarantee equal playing time, which caused stress over who would and would not get to play. Weak players were benched completely for districts.
Thinking back on it, she wouldn't do these things, she says. Away from tennis and no longer being caught up in the moment, she doesn't see the point of all the winning. Feelings were hurt, people were disappointed, and for what? A piece of plastic? A paper certificate? A handshake from the league coordinator? An utterly meaningless team title?
For those who are on more the competitive/successful teams, what makes it worth it? Is it really more rewarding to finish 11-1 and go to districts as opposed to finishing 6-6 and going on vacation in July instead?
I was talking to my sister yesterday. She captained a 2.5 team for one year and captained a 3.0 team for maybe 3-4 years. Each of her teams went to districts each year. The team was quite dominant; it wasn't unusual for them to finish undefeated. They never won state though, getting knocked out each year.
I was asking her what it was like to win like that, since I've never come close.
Her answer suprised me. She said that if she had it to do all over again, she wouldn't be quite so focused on winning. For instance, each year the bottom couple of players wouldn't be invited to return because they were the weakest and none of the better players wanted to play with them. Everyone wanted to win, and no one wanted to be the last to make it to 3.5.
Also, my sister didn't guarantee equal playing time, which caused stress over who would and would not get to play. Weak players were benched completely for districts.
Thinking back on it, she wouldn't do these things, she says. Away from tennis and no longer being caught up in the moment, she doesn't see the point of all the winning. Feelings were hurt, people were disappointed, and for what? A piece of plastic? A paper certificate? A handshake from the league coordinator? An utterly meaningless team title?
For those who are on more the competitive/successful teams, what makes it worth it? Is it really more rewarding to finish 11-1 and go to districts as opposed to finishing 6-6 and going on vacation in July instead?