Players must know the truth about who they are individu- ally and who they are in the team setting. The "truth" about a player must be obtained through evaluation. Therefore, they are consistently growing towards becoming a better play- er and person. It is the same growth that we go through as Christians. Coaches must be "HONEST" in their evaluations along the way and continually remind players of their ac- complishments as they develop. As a result, TRUST WILL BE CREATED BETWEEN THE COACH AND PLAYER.
A kind word and hard work with individuals will pay off.
Often players that start off slower in a sport or behind other players athletically move up and often move past pre- viously more talented players over a period of time. Their foundation created with the truth will allow for the maxi- mum amount of growth in character which leads to the most development in a given sport.
Identity is the key. A player will create a "TRUE" iden- tity about the place they are at as a player. This perspective will allow them to reach the highest level of achievement based on the potential for growth created from the truth about where they are and where they intend to get to. This growth now becomes a realistic goal that can be established "by the truth."
Players are often given unrealistic goals and evaluations of where they are at from their parents and loved ones. That perspective almost always differs from the evaluation of the coach. Since we can conclude that the parent’s perspective is not usually the "true" perspective, we must conclude that the coach’s perspective most often is based on a more unbiased
"truth." This coaching perspective is often not accepted or appreciated by the parents, and thus creates a conflict.
The following scripture from the Bible tells us about the "truth" as a foundation. John 8:31-32 says, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’”
In these verses, Jesus tells us to abide in HIS Word; then we will be HIS disciples. Then we will know the truth, and the truth shall make us free. Therefore we must come to the conclusion that if this scripture passage is correct, then if we are not abiding in the Lord’s Word, we do not know the truth. Therefore, we are in bondage and are not free!
It works the same in team sports. Often, a player’s per- ception of the truth about his ability differs greatly from his or her parent’s opinion or the coach’s opinion. After study- ing the carnal nature of people and trying to determine their perspective of "truth," I have come to many conclusions and very few, if any, line up with what the Word of God tells us about the "truth" of God.
It is clear that the "world" is speaking a lot of things to people, and they are choosing to "accept" certain things as the "truth" and either good or bad for them. It's the same with young players on a team. They have a choice based on the knowledge they have gained to make decisions on basi- cally every choice that they face. If a player’s peers or even parents are unwilling to tell a player the truth about who they are athletically, it is the same as the false teaching that our youth are hearing from the world. Deception has a foothold. How many different opinions and people are young players listening to who do not know the Word of God when making important decisions in their life? I started to be on guard of who was speaking into the life of my players and whether or not their plan came from a TRUE perspective
that lined up with the Word of God!
I determined many things when I was seeking the Word of God to find out about the choice we have. First of all, the word "truth" is mentioned 237 times in 224 verses, all refer- ring to the truth of God or the truth of HIS word. I have con- cluded that if truth of God’s Word is the foundation, and of great importance for me to know, then there must be another "truth" or in this case an opinion that is masquerading as the truth that I need to avoid.
When we refer to the scripture listed previously, we must understand that something is keeping people bound that is either not the absolute truth, or perceived by people as some- thing that is masquerading as the truth. If it doesn’t come from God, then it is an opinion of the enemy. I believe the great majority of players are going through a season in sports in bondage from following a voice that is deceiving them. It often comes from peers or a parent.
Proverbs 12:26 says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
A player must be given true direction and guidance as to how to improve his position on the team. It comes from a coach taking time with them and getting to know what motivates them and how they react to situations. The coach should understand the player’s situation at home and the false teaching that they are receiving so they can know when the individual is being affected negatively by his environ- ment.
THE TRUTH SHOULD NEVER BE DELIVERED
FROM A COACH IN A WAY TO HARM! It must be deliv- ered with "LOVE" and based on the coach's opinion that he gained through hard work and thorough evaluation.
Time and time again I have seen a player that simply
wanted his coach to speak the truth in love and also encour- age them to work hard to grow in his skills and character to reach his or her full potential. Even if that potential is mini- mal, the player will feel accepted and will give everything "HE" has to the team and coach.
Settling for telling players and parents what "they" want to hear only creates more confusion and false self-esteem that is foundationally detrimental to the individual and the team!
