RowCollege

Are You Coachable?

. . .  a simple question.

Being coachable means that you can form a relationship with a coach that is beneficial to both you, the coach, and the team (if you are rowing on one as compared to a single sculler). It does not mean that you  just listen to what a coach says and then do what you want.

College coaches want people who are coachable—pure and simple.

The coach is building a team and coachability is a critical component. One reason is that many incoming rowers will not row like a college coach wants them to. The coach and team will have a certain style and often rowers are asked to change their technique, or style, or even sides to help them develop, and to fit in with the current team.

To make that happen you need to be c-o-a-c-h-a-b-l-e.

James Lavin, in his book Management Secrets of the New England Patriots: From Patsies to Triple Super Bowl Champs discusses one of the keys to the Pats success is having coachable athletes. Coachable athletes make all the difference.

So what about it, are you coachable?

Here are a few questions that might give you an insight into the answer:

1. Do you think you have a lot to learn about rowing?
2. Do you have a difficult time making changes when asked to?
3. Are you willing to do the work it takes to make changes to improve your style/technique?
4. Can you speak honestly with a coach?

And probably one of the best sources that can tell you if you are coachable is your current coach. Ask him or her, and then listen to the response.

The answer is something you need to know and could help you excel, and find the right collegiate rowing program.

Ever Chucked A Pumpkin?

Have you ever thrown a pumpkin as far as you can? Have you ever watched people spend tons of money to launch a pumpkin almost the length of a 2k race course?

And what does this have to do with selecting a college rowing program?

Just yesterday I took my kids to the World Championship Punkin Chunking Contest. There teams from around the world assembled to . . . well, to see who can chunk a pumpkin the longest distance. The picture above is one of the team's cannons. They launched their pumpkin almost 2000 meters.

What this has to do with you—as you look for the school and rowing program best for you—is all about what is going on in the area surrounding the school. Is the area vibrant, with interesting and fun things to do? Is there life outside of your college's boundary?

You might think that all you are going to do is study and row. Well, maybe. But when you get bored, or need a break, wouldn't you want to see someone launch a pumpkin into space? How about an ergometer?

Should you "overnight" on a college campus?

               . . . yes . . . and no.

Let's go with the "yes" for a moment. An overnight, when done right from both your end and the institution's, can offer a wealth of information. It can be revealing. For example, on an overnight some of the areas where you might have some very interesting and informing experiences are:

• dorm life
• cafeteria food
• class room atmosphere
• social priorities and campus life
• practice

And these are just a few.

An overnight can certainly give you a much greater insight into the institution than just an Admission's interview, campus tour, and coach visit. An overnight can give you the time to be on your own a little bit on campus. Go to the library, what is going on there? Vibrant academic life, or dulls-ville?

Walk around a few of the academic buildings. Know what you want to study, or major in? Go to that building, floor, or area, and look around. Read the bulletin board.

Talk to students, and student-athletes. Find out what goes on on campus. Be nosy.

Parents should also spend an overnight in the town at a B + B or motel. This way you can get a community perspective of the institution, and a feeling if it is a good place to make a large investment of time, effort, and money.

When I was looking at colleges after high school, I took three overnights. I knew immediately which was the right school for me, and which were not.

However, an overnight might not be the right choice for you if:

• a practice or regatta schedule conflicts
• there are other time conflicts (arriving too late to attend classes or practice)
• your parents are opposed to it
• your coach is opposed to it
• you don't feel comfortable or safe taking the overnight
• student hosts are not trained or don't seem responsible

Overnighting on a college campus is an event you should take seriously, and safety should be yours, and the institution's top priority.

If you do decide to overnight keep in mind that all overnights are not the same—different schools do things quite differently.

When we recruit, we suggest an overnight visit after a recruit has done an initial campus visit of an Admissions interview, campus tour and meeting with myself or one of my assistants. We only allow prospects to overnight on a week night, or a Friday. Saturday and Sunday are out. We also training our hosts on how to run a safe visit and help the prospect find answers to his or her questions.

However, many schools do not allow overnights, or restrict them in different ways. I strongly encourage you to have a serious conversation with your parents, and coach before you think about an overnight.

It might be a good decision—it might not.