Kid's State Perspective

I managed to find a quaint corner in the Alliant Energy Center in Madison as we have a short break at the WWF Kid's Folkstyle State Tournament.  I like to reflect on my role and everything that is happening around me when I'm in coaching mode.  This tournament provides an incredible opportunity for many athletes, coaches and parents and I try to maintain a healthy perspective all weekend.

I enjoy going from mat to mat watching wrestlers pour their heart and soul into the sport they love.  As wrestlers, they love to compete.  It's the grind, the fight, that fuels their fire.  Within the realm of competition, those who experience the most success and love for the sport focus on the process.

A parent of an athlete I used to coach asked me how our wrestlers were doing today.  Generally, I respond with the cliche answer: good.  I felt compelled to answer it truthfully this time, though, because I knew what she was asking.  I said, "you know, I have no idea.  It actually doesn't matter to me."  It's true.  It doesn't matter to me.  At sporting events, that question is solely asking if you won or lost, or if you're team is winning more than losing.  How's it going usually means: What place did you take?  Did you win?  What's your record?  That's how sports is too often measured and I don't measure success that way.

I'm competitive (probably more than most).  I love winning and hate losing, however, I measure success by how one approaches competition, not on the outcome alone.  If you control what you can control - attitude and effort - and focus on the process, the outcome is more likely to be desirable than if you're focal point is the outcome.  A concerted effort is required to maintain this perspective because it doesn't come naturally.

The first year I ventured to Kid's State as the Victory School of Wrestling coach, I thought this event provided a unique opportunity to market our brand.  We made t-shirts with names of the qualifiers squeezed on the back.  I was determined to have the most athletes in the tournament of any club in the state.  And we did - 53.  I encouraged athletes to put "Victory School of Wrestling" as their club name on the registration form because we wanted everyone to be sure that we were the best club and it was free advertising.  As I sat mat side that year, I realized that I was operating far outside of my core values as a coach and program.  Of course, I communicated to our athletes that we weren't focused on the outcome, however, our actions indicated otherwise.  I re-evaluated our approach and made a conscious decision to not focus on the outcome.  The number of state qualifiers is not a reliable indicator for the health and success of a youth wrestling club.  There are just too many factors that aren't included in that number.

How many kids do we have down here?  I don't know.  How is Victory doing down here?  If you're referring to wins and loses, then I don't know.  I don't know on purpose.  I try hard not to know.  What I can tell you is the athletes I've been mat side with are enjoying this opportunity.  They're growing as young men and women.  They're having fun and they know, without hesitation, that tomorrow is Sunday regardless of the outcome of today.  Win or lose, they're better today than they were yesterday.  So, if that's what you're asking, then it's going great!