When I first started playing lacrosse I never thought I would love it enough to want to coach. I never thought I would have the patience to teach other people about my passion. It seemed like a tedious job, and when I was first asked to help out with a summer clinic I dreaded the thought of it. Why would I ever want to spend my day teaching ten-year-old girls how to throw and catch? Well, turns out there is very little that I love more than doing just that.
I have spent every summer since my sophomore year of high school coaching a U10 girls lacrosse team. It started as a clinic, and slowly evolved into a competitive team. As the program has evolved, so have many of the players and coaches. I have watched many of my players grow and evolve as young girls and as great lacrosse players. This experience has taught me so much about myself, and I have grown so much as a person because of it.
This summer was the first year I have been given my own team, and at first, I was terrified. I had no idea how to run a practice, and how I was going to deal with 20 10 year olds all on my own. I walked into practice on the first day, and as soon as I saw my girls, I could feel myself relax. It didn't matter what I told them to do during practice, they would do it with a smile. I am so lucky to have players that love the sport and trust me enough to do what I tell them to do. These girls made coaching easy. I spent the entire summer designing practice plans, and watching videos on drills that I could teach these girls. They may be young, but they have some of the best lacrosse IQ I have ever seen.
Trying to teach these girls made me learn so much about my sport. I have watched more film as a coach than I ever have as a player. I have become the player that I am because of coaching. I have learned how to teach my sport, and in turn learned how to play my sport better. I honestly cannot imagine my life if I wasn't a coach.
Every time I go to a practice I am excited. It doesn't matter how bad my day was, as soon as I see my players, my day is instantly better. I have coached the same girls for almost my entire time coaching, and I have formed a great relationship with them. They know exactly how to push my buttons, and make me laugh at the same time. These girls are such amazing kids and players, and I am truly honored to be able to be a part of their lives. They have made me a better person, and for that, I will forever be grateful.
I truly believe that every player needs to coach at some point during their life. It makes you a better teammate, student, and person. You will understand the struggles your coach goes through, and why they get frustrated when a drill doesn't go right. You will be able to help your teammates grow, and you will become a better student because of it.
