Letting Go and Believing

What does a coach do when she knows she has the makings of a great team but the team hasn't fully bought into that knowledge? I believe the Golden Eagles have the intelligence, the athleticism, the work ethic, the team chemistry, and the leadership to be awesome, yet we sometimes play as if we are tentative, afraid of what the outcome of the game might be, fearful perhaps there will be dire consequences. I've never seen a player shot for missing a basket, nor one executed for making a mistake.

Here is what I understand. I understand we are good but we are sometimes not aware of our own talents. This is not a new concept; it is the oldest play in the book. It is the card of unworthiness we all pull out on occasion, believing somehow we are not good enough to receive blessings. It is the negative drum beat we play, beating the same rhythm of unworthiness some coach or teacher or friend sold us when we were younger.

We have several players who can knock down the three pointer and shoot it with such consistency opponents have to respect them. We have intelligent players who can read screens, anticpate the defense and get an open look off reading a fade or a slip or a curl. We have a low block player who no defensive player can get around because her feet are so quick. We have players who can penetrate to the basket or stop and pop the jump shot. We have good free throw shooters and rebounders who can fly close to the rim. We have defensive players who can play opponents to their weaknesses. We truly have enough to be one of the best.

It is not the mistake or the error which haunts us; it is our ability to it go. It is not that we are not an awesome team; it is our ability to believe it. It is not the lack of skills our players have; it is our lack of recognition of those skills. We are so close to being great, to finding the winners within our bodies I get giddy with anticipation. If the team can hold onto the thought of greatness, let go of past mistakes, and believe in our talents, then we can create the future we so much desire.