A View From the Side

A new monthly feature from Andy Jackson, our Coaching Guru. Please tune in to read the "Great Ones" words of wisdom.

 

 

Hitch hiking, if’s and but’s, Big Sam and the commitments.

 

Three points leading to a conclusion….

1. Douglas Adams wrote for radio what became an iconic generational masterpiece …Hitch Hikers guide to the Galaxy. Set in space Arthur Dent became a traveller of galactic proportions. Tow headed monsters (not action at training!!), translating ear socketed fish and the No 42….42 being defined as the meaning of life. After all the adventure that links birth, and all between, and the maker is a number. Well I ain’t convinced that it is so simple, certainly life feels more than a lottery number. But one wonders if the meaning of life occurs at 42, when clarity abounds?

2. As the Barry Burn, torched Garci’s march to 1 st major title, he was heard to utter “if only” and “but for that.” How often have we heard it said or uttered such sentiments ourselves? Too many times I bet.. “if only we had not lost the ball in midfield,” “but for mussing that open goal we would have secured a point.”

3. Big Sam Ally (Trotter Traitor now with Newky Brown) is a bit of stato. He uses numbers as a measure of performance. In practice (as witnessed by the Guru) never went above 6 on his shirt and now is merely interested in 3. Yes passes completed, shots on goal, time in opp’s half etc are important if they help define performance.

Hockey ain’t about “if’s and but’s” or 42, but it is about conversion, the conversion of ideas and aspirations into results. To walk off the pitch with regrets is not appropriate. Regrets are acceptable if you have given your all ……..been committed. Commitment is the core to achieving anything in olife, 42 (as above) is merely a mark of understanding. We have heard tails of Greg Nicholls and Callum Giles throwing 1,000 drag flicks a day to perfect the technique, all so that when that one chance occurs you take it. Carpe Diem (as Horace the Latin’s would say)……..sieze the day. Life is in essence about one chance…don’t waste it be committed to improve.

 Action  

Foot note – many moons ago a player at Bolton HC used to practice with a tennis ball to improve core skill. As his proficiency improved, he moved on to Blackburn and then to Doncaster. On the way the ball got smaller (table tennis ball) and the level of representation increased – batting for both Lanc’s and York’s. The players commitment to improve - required dedication, travel and enhancement in skill. Only he could achieve his aspiration. Are you prepared to put that level of effort in? Cheers Woodsy for all those awful passes!!!!