Dragon Boat West

I know I'm going off topic, but I don't want to start a new thread.  Just curious, Tig or anyone else, what you think about a team member who is committed to practicing with the team but needs major work on their paddling ability, technique, etc... (quite possibly because they think they "know more than the coach" or they think they "know more than everyone else on the team"... should they be subbed out or spared?

aaaaaaand Back on topic..  :lol:

Regarding turtle's question... When it comes to that question, I believe the first thing that has to be asked is if the team is competitive (ie, best, most functional team goes first) or recreational (ie, being competitive is second). The answer to this question will change my opinion/thoughts...

The second thing that has to be considered is that there are "hard" and "smart" practices... Hard practices are those that kill you physically, while the smart practices are to improve individual/team skill level. There is a time and place for both, but I believe that a technical/smart paddler will eventually catch-up to a hard paddler... So, if this individual is just always working hard, he/she needs to step it back and start working smart...

The third thing to consider is if he/she does think that they know more than the coach, then they either should (1) change teams b/c they aren't being challenged, (2) inform the coach b/c they don't understand something that's why they can't do it, or (3) change their attitude b/c no one has the "perfect" stroke...

Finally, if they are that uncoordinated, they need to see a specialist... Back to the original topic...

Hey Tiger,

The team that you described sounds like a certain recreational crew practicing out of FCRCC...hmmm... I'm wondering what you're implying? ha ha ha

I'll give you a hint, they always paddle with their shirts off...

Little Coach (or should it be just coach),

Team Uncoachable will be a new team. I don't think there is any team that fits all of the criteria so you have the wrong idea. But if some of the team you are thinking of fits the above then they could try out for "The Uncoachables". Just remember, the more uncoachable you are the more likely you will make it on the team.

For those worried about money, the fees will be low cause there is no coach, we won't race cause we are just too good, no uniforms (we are shirtless)., we don't practice cause we don't have to (we are so good you know).

Don't you have some that fit the uncoachable criteria

 :shock:  :lol:  :shock:  :lol:  :shock:  :lol:  :shock:  :lol:

:clap:  good one Tiger.  I have a pair of black spandex shorts I wear, going topless no problem.  Where do I sign up.

yeah, i know some people like that...but the shirt idea would be horrible

any good looking girls sign up yet?

Ya, and do they go shirtless as well??? :dance:

Mr Weapon (if that truly is your name :lol: ), you will have to take a picture of yourself in spandex only and forward to the coach (who is it though, oh yeah there is no coach, so post it on this thread).  

On Team Uncoachable we are looking at the WHOLE package  :wink: we don't want any wannabes (this holds true for the women and the men).  If you believe you have the whole package then you're in.

i wanna apply for team photographer.  :lol:

i hope it was only point 'f' u were referring to for the comparison... as for the topless thing, i was told they're allergic to shirts  :roll:  :lol:

back on topic though, i think you're right with ur second post...

it's hard to criticize a paddler when they're committed to practicing, but just not soaking in the info from the coach.. in those cases a good coach will describe the same idea in a multitude of analogies, metaphors, etc, so that hopefully one of them will stick. Different ppl respond to different calls.

but with points 'a' through 'e', and little dedication to practice, i'd say the paddler should be subbed under the pretenses that attendance and an unconforming stroke style were the reasons (when what u really wanna tell them is to get an attitude adjustment)



i really liked the team names "Team Uncommitted" and "D.H.L.F." whatever happened to those guys?

Now that's sporting.  Wonder if you'd be willing to say the same thing about the other team from FCRCC.  Not the current team but the one from a few years ago.

Now which team was that?

you seriously don't know?

Maybe I do, and maybe I don't... Why don't you let me know who you're thinking about.

I'd be surprised if you didn't, but don't really care either way.  It would however show how much you've been around coach.

Anyways I'm not throwing the team under the bus, very unsporting.  Same goes with the rec team you mentioned.

I'm quite sure that I know who you're referring to...

If you take everything that is say about you or your team too seriously, you won't last long in this sport.

Besides, all the teams/people that I took like jabs at for FUN, I know on a personal level... So it's time to chilli at bit...

chill everyone.. let's all take our shirts off and settle this on the water like true paddles sluts  :lol:

back on topic, how do you approach someone who's extremely dedicated to the team, but despite repeated attempts at using every metaphor/analogy/drill available, still doesn't paddle the way you want them to... let's say it's so bad it screws up the rest of the boat... they say they're trying and it looks like they're trying, but 3 strokes later and they're off again... what would you do?

(and this is just an extreme hypothetical situation, in case any of my RGL or CAC ppl think I'm trash-talking someone)

you could try a vid tape session so they can see themselves.  Often (or most) times they think they're doing something right, but it's not.

Within reason, it's also not the end of the world for someone to be something slightly different than the rest of the team either.

But if they're doing something that screws up the rest of the boat, that's when you start working on the seating, shuffling people around.

Surely that has to send a message don't you think? I have had only very few people like that in my years of coaching. In fact I think only 3 since 1995! Sometimes I end up moving them somewhere near the middle or front to reward them. (At least they think its a reward. Or so the going says!) Then they ask what that was all about and I speak to them privately to explain why I did what I did. And in the end 100% of them appreciated it being done that way. But only 66% of them got the message and improved and 33% did not. Of course there is also the sparing them more than once routine. That usually sends a very strong message. And lastly I tell everyone on the team why I do what I do without actually naming names and again the message usually gets out there! Something like "I am going to spare who I spare so that I can put what I think is the best strongest team we have for such and such a heat".

BTW COLP (that's Coach Of Little People) good thing I do know you personally. I would be soooooo offended at the stuff you put in here that I would just demolish you!  :shock: Now you know that is not true because I would be a fool to think that a lil guy like me can take a big guy like you!  :roll: And in the end violence solves nothing. Heck you might end up running into your enemy on a professional level and then what are you gonna do about the uncomfortable feeling eh?  :wink: