May Sanchez Herrera, second from left, at the Coach Across America New Orleans training institute.
By May Sanchez Herrera
Though the idea of going to New Orleans terrified me because it was my first time on a plane, I am very glad that I faced my fears and attended the CAA training workshop. Otherwise, I would not have met other amazing coaches as well as learning new methods to improve my own coaching at Row New York.
The training institute consisted of a five-day training, exploring methods to improve our coaching, learn the importance of a team, and understand the mentality of young athletes. The workshops that stood out to me were about the informal times between practice, and how important these times are to establishing trust between the athletes and coach.
For example, during my time as assistant coach for the summer middle school program at Row New York, there was often informal time when my athletes showed up early to the boathouse or when we were traveling from the boathouse to academics. Instead of being preoccupied with setting up for practice, I would come in early to set up and then play games with the kids who showed up early to make sure that they weren’t sitting around with nothing to do. Towards the end of practice, I made sure my athletes stretched together as a group instead of individually.
Also, incorporating what I learned at CAA training institute at New Orleans, I taught the middle schoolers various songs and dances. For instance, I would stand in the middle of the grass and start singing these phrases, “We go shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip, knee to knee!” My kids followed each phrase and started singing along as well as having fun. This song has the purpose of getting the group’s attention as well as forming circles for team time. A dance I also learned from CAA training institute was the electric current. It is a five count current that starts by shaking the right side arm to left arm to left leg and finally to right leg. This dance allows the kids to be silly together and to see that coaches are at the same level with them during informal time thus, creating trust between athletes and coaches.
It is important for athletes to work together as a team but also to establish trust among themselves and with their coaches. The athletes who decided to attend the summer middle school rowing program were the kids who wanted to do learn, get stronger, and stay engaged during their summer. We, as coaches, may not have a lot of power outside the boathouse but it is important to establish a safe area for the kids in case they would ever need it. Through informal and team time athletes learn the value of what a team is as well as Row New York creating a competitive and safe environment for the athletes.
Thank you to both Coach Across America and Row New York for giving me the opportunity to learn and improve my coaching skills for the benefit of our athletes.
