J
FOR ATHLETES
Learning is a trial-and-error process, from the coach's expectations to the athlete's response. What does it mean to give others
THE FREEDOM TO FAIL BYWESNEAL Wes Neal is a respected writer who analyzes sports and applies biblical principles. Currently living in Branson, Mo. , Wes is the author of The
Handbook on Athletic Perfection. A regular contributor to Second Look magazine, Wes looks at the issue of purpose behind youth sports competition.
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T WAS A HOT summer day several years ago. I pulled into town about :;tn hour early for a speaking engagement. "Good baseball weather," I said to myself. "Might as well catch a couple of innings at the Little League park." As I walked toward the stands, I noticed two runners were on base. Both boys appeared very nervous. "Jimmy, don't you dare lead off base!" a woman shouted from the stands. "Must be the kid's mother," I muttered. "And that goes for you, too, Billy!" another woman shouted with equal volume. Now I knew why the boys looked so nervous: They were afraid to make a mistake! They were afraid of failure! One thing I've noticed in studying the life of Jesus Christ - He knew how to give people freedom to fail and when to encourage them to come back and try again. Take, for example, how He worked with Peter, who had failed three times by denying he even knew Jesus (John 18:25-27). Three times! But Jesus under-
stood Peter's weakness. And instead of ripping Peter for his failure, Jesus later encouraged him to take a leadership role within His church. "Feed My sheep," Jesus told His friend (John 21:17) who ultimately rose to the occasion. The importance of giving people the freedom to fail and then the encouragement to succeed was brought home to me the day I visited my friend Hank, a local football coach. While watching a practice session, we were discussing a report that found it takes five pos-
itive comments to offset one negative remark. Just then one of the running backs made a mistake. "You're too slow in getting started~" Hank, obviously upset, shouted at him. With surprise he quickl y turned to me and said, "I can't believe I just did that, especially after what we were talking about!" With Hank's eyes glued on the next play, the running back again failed in getting the right start. And again, Hank became incensed. "Come on, Molasses, you can do better than that!"
SECOND LOOK 17
Instantly he turned to me and groaned, "I did it again! Now I owe him 10!" Would you believe it? The running back got off to his usual slow start again on the very next play. I looked over at Hank and what I saw impressed me. He took a couple of steps toward the field, but he caught himself just before he exploded with another negative comment. He turned to me and with a smile said, "I can't afford 15!" At this moment, Hank was doing what Jesus had done with Peter. He was giving his athlete freedom to fail. A few plays later, Hank followed up on what Jesus had done. Hank gave his athlete the encouragement to continue to succeed. Yes, his running back finally got it right! Hank ran out to his players shouting, "That's it! That's it! Don, you were great on that play! You got the right start." Then Hank turned to the rest of the players and said, "Men, I want all of you to do it the way Don just did!" As closely as I could observe, Hank followed that principle. Don got the same great start the rest of the practice. Somebody believed in him, gave him the freedom to fail, and then encouraged him to live up to his own example of excellence! I can't help wondering how that approach might have worked several years ago, when two kids were shaking in their cleats, hugging the bases they were so afraid to leave. Perhaps they might even have enjoyed the game. •