We tell young people to try things out of their comfort zones and yet many adults live in the "do as I say not as I do" on this one. For me, I yo-yo in and out of reaching past my comfort zone and retreating to all the comforts of the known. Staying in my comfort zone is, well, quite comforting. However, sometimes we are nudged and we have to figure out a new balance. For me, it has come in the form of sports. Not playing them, I still don't do that. Talking about them is my new skill set. I have not fully embraced the space outside of my comfort zone, but I have found a happy medium for navigating this fraught terrain. For three of the past four years, I have been tapped to be in charge of recreational golf, aka senior golf, for a group of high school seniors who need an activity to do in the spring and are not playing a varsity sport. This makes me a coach, right? As the years have progressed, I realize that while I know nothing really about golf or any sport all of the way through, I do have some phrases that work for me and may help others. Here are some of my go-to golf tips for my players. Use them liberally - Adjust your grip. Adjust your stance. Keep your head down. Slow down your tempo. Hit one inch behind the ball and let the sand fly. Follow through on your swing. Visualize where you want the ball to go. Where do you want the ball to go? Hmm, look where your feet are pointing. Whatever you did on your last shot, do it again. And when I am feeling like I want to let out my inner @ManoloTeachesGolf...Smack that s@#t! Even before my life became golf adjacent, I noticed that a lot of people think talking about sports is a conversation starter. Who knew? Apparently everyone but me. I don't want to be left out so I have learned a few helpful phrases for those situations. You might think it would make more sense for me to learn the rules of the game, but my way is more fun. These work for basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and even baseball. If that ref had not made that call in the second half/quarter, we would have won. Such a shame that the player, what's her/his name again?, was injured. We definitely would have won with s/he out there. They just need to work on their defense. They just need to work on their offense. It's a building year. Wow, if they could just make a few more goals/baskets/runs, they would have this game in the bag. If you ever see me at a game, I have some key phrases for those situations as well. They work across a number of sports. I encourage you to try them out. You've got this! Nice hustle! Hustle! Keep your eyes on the ball! Keep the ball moving! How did the ref miss that! (I use this one sparingly because I don't really know the rules well enough.) As a spectator for golf, clap politely. And, if you must say something, Nice shot! should work, or even safer and to be used after the match, I really enjoyed watching you play.
1 Comment
Suzy Cashwell
4/12/2022 09:23:14 am
I really enjoyed reading what you wrote. And I'm really happy for you that you have a new job that you obviously wanted - and will be really good at! Love you.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
To Blog?Why not? Categories
All
Archives
April 2022
|