Playing is easier than coaching

I never had a problem playing multiple games of softball in one day or over the course of the weekend. But, boy is it tiring to coach that same number of games. I don't ever remember feeling so wiped out after playing 2 or 3 game, but coaching is a whole different matter.

On top of that, I always have this urge to go put on a uniform and do things myself. Hey, I would have blended right in with one of the 10U teams my daughter played this weekend. Most of the girls on that team were already bigger than me! Anyway, the point is, sometimes it's so hard to sit on the side and not be able to do anything. As a coach, you can't go out there and get the hit your team needs or make the defensive plays. That was one of the hardest things for me to get used to when I first started coaching - not being able to "do" anything during the game. You just have to hope that the preparation you did in practice was enough. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

I guess coaching is good practice for being a parent. At one point or another in your child's life, you have to hope the parenting you did was enough to prepare them for a happy life. You can't live their life for them and do everything for them, much as you may like to.

Back to coaching vs. playing, I think touch game situations where easier and less stressful to handle when I was playing and could actually do something about them. But I also know that showing anxiety or stress on the sideline probably doesn't help my team have the confidence they need on the field. I don't know how many coaches realize just how much their actions, facial expressions, and non-verbal communication can affect their team.