The Enemy?

I walked into a gym to coach my daughters team one saturday; i was running late and both teams were beginning warm ups. As i headed over to jump in with them, my ear caught a parent addressing his daughter. He pointed  to the team on the opposite side and said, “remember - THEY are the ENEMY”.

  I had to do a double take - that a father would say that about ANY opponent floored me. But this was years ago, and i was coaching a team of YMCA 10 and 11 year olds! The enemy??? - i thought??? Does he know that without the ‘enemy’ his daughter wouldn't be able to play? without the ‘enemy’, there is no point? Does he know how many times I've stood by a net at a sand court with 3 people.. HOPING for the ‘enemy’ to show up and be our fourth so we could play the sport we loved?

The enemy….

  This illustrates what i feel is the biggest problem with our sport. I’ve heard what i call “football parents” yell horrible things during the game as they “cheered”. Yelling things to 16 year old girls who, despite all the muscles, hair and height are still little girls - only a few years removed from playing dolls. The OPPONENT is NOT the enemy. The opponent is who we NEED to hold a match, lots of OPPONENTS if we are going to hold a tournament. The opponent isn't in our way; the opponent isn't preventing our way of life - the opponent facilitates it, for without them we would not be able to play the game.

  I want to see respect from parents AND players. I want my players to show respect through hard play and great defense. I want my players to show the opponent respect by showing up big to the game, match our tourney. Show the opponent respect by acknowledging their good plays. Cheer for the competition. Cheer on your team, but NEVER cheer down the opponent.

Enemies they are not. They are our family in volley, the people and players we NEED to CREATE a volley in its pure meaning. Without the ‘enemy’, the serve would NEVER return, there would be no blocks or digs. We would be alone in a gym with a ball… and that kinda sucks.

Be thankful for the opponent.

Volley on!