As most of my regular readers know one of the sports I play is Table Tennis and I do a bit of coaching. Actually over the past 20+ years I've done a fair amount of coaching helping 100's of youngsters learn the game and many gain national rankings.
I'm actually a Level 4 coach which is the highest qualification you can get, but I've never done it for money (ok been paid a bit of pocket money occasionally) and have generally worked with kids from a working class background on a voluntary basis. I've always liked helping people and I had the skills to do it this way, I looked at it as providing opportunity to youngsters who didn't stand a chance otherwise. In fact getting some players around tournaments has probably cost me money in the past but I got a lot of pleasure when my players beat the kids from the so called top centres.
I've even coached on England training camps and was once selected to look after a national junior side in a competition in Luxemburg.
Anyway I'm thinking of packing it in through lack of motivation, I am just not enthusiastic any more. Why ? maybe I'm getting old, maybe I've been doing it too long, or many reasons can be put forward.
One of the main reasons is the attitude of the young players that come to sessions, I can think of many in the past that were prepared to work hard to achieve success but the players attending sessions want success on a plate. I'm a great believer in what you put in you get out. These players do not motivate me in fact I am bored. You have to work hard to be good I'll always believe that.
I know if I pack in altogether I will let a lot of people & players down, there is a shortage of coaches in the area.
I still enjoy playing competitevly at a decent level but motivation to train is also quite low. I know I have to practice hard at my age to still compete with player 20 to 30 years younger and I think if I pack in coaching my personnel motivation to train will improve. I still love playing in the big matches.
Is it me getting old ?
Should I let people down and pack it in ?
Another thought that has crossed my mind is to take up a different sport entirely, start from scratch, I just need competition in my life.
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9 comments:
I think when you get to a certain age you take stock. You have to sit down and think how much you would miss the coaching if you packed it in. If you aren't getting the enjoyment back you once was maybe it would be the best thing to do.
The thing is with exercise is you have to enjoy it at least a bit lol. Do you like swimming at all? It's completely different to what you've been doing, and one of the best exercise you can do so they say :)
Just off to listen to LUFC....can it get any worse???
You deserve to enjoy your exercise. If not, try something else. Time to look after YOURSELF and your own wellbeing.
Yeah, I agree. If you aren't getting out of it what you're putting into it, that is your body's and your emotions way of saying time to move along. Besides, if you miss it too much, you can always go back?
I agree with the other ladies, Pack it in, and do something you love. As you say the players are not giving it their all either, so I think it is time for you to move on. Life is too short to spend valuable time on activities that do not bring us joy!
Ladies,
Thanks for your input this is something I've been considering quite a while. I am finding the coaching more of a commitment than enjoyable, as I said its a lot to do with the players but also maybe I've gone a bit stale (been doing it a long time).
I still enjoy competing so I will definately be keeping playing for the time been.
Airliebird,
You are right swimming is great exercise but i'm a competition junkie. I've got to have something to hit, chase, catch, throw, kick etc.
And your last question yes it can get worse.
SS,
I'm seriously thinking of taking up a new sport or something. Another option is to start playing a bit more Golf, I enjoy it but don't get much chance to play through work and my other commitments. I'm not the type who can sit at home and do nothing.
Rach,
You are so right I think its time to move on.
Tex,
Yes I think the players not putting it in does effect the way I'm feeling. I think back to others I have coached that really motivated me with their enthusiasm.
Life is short and to be enjoyed, I feel know I've been coaching out of sense of duty and not getting a lot out of it.
I would say take a break from it.....and maybe take up something else as a trial. I hope you enjoy whatever you decide.
RNG,
I'm sure you are right, I could always go back after a break if I so decided.
I've been doing it a long time so I just need to fully think it through.
I say that if you still enjoy something and get pleasure from it, you should keep at it. Even if you feel you may not be able to compete at the same level, that doesn't mean you should drop it completely.
Jenny,
I still enjoy playing and feel am still capable of competing at a good level. Its just the coaching I'm struggling to motivate myself for.
Last season I did have a bad first half to the season up to christmas (one of the things that encouraged the weight loss). I thought about calling it a day but decided to work harder, I had a very good 2nd half to the season.
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