RUNNING UP THE SCORE?

[This tip is based on a question sent in by basketball coach, Mike Downs: "What does a Christian coach do when his team is far superior to his opponent? How do you coach when there is a possibility of a blowout?"]

Several years ago, after sharing with a racquetball player how to give an all out effort God's way, he sadly reported back to me: "Wes, I applied the Total Release biblical principles you shared with me, and I blew out my opponent." I was a bit perplexed why he seemed so down about it.

"So," I asked, "what's disturbing you?"

He told me how his opponent felt so disgraced by the lopsided score, he threw his racquet down in disgust and said he was quitting the sport. Now, of course, the defeated player had a lot to learn in how to handle defeat, but the winning player had a legitimate concern. He felt badly about "running up the score."

In Colossians 3:23, God tells us to do our work "heartily" as unto Him. That means He wants us to give our best in everything we do. I personally see nothing wrong with scoring every chance you get. If you rein in your athletes, you're actually penalizing them for being good. It's the opposing team's responsibility to keep working at improving their performance.

However, with that said, let me share with you a question I asked the winning racquetball player, based on Colossians 3:23.

"Do you have any weaknesses?" I asked.

His eyes grew big. "Wow, sure I do." He then explained how he had a weak opposite hand slam to the corner. "So," I asked, "against weaker opponents, why not work on your weaknesses? That way you can keep improving against lessor opponents, and the score doesn't get so out of hand."

Your athletes also won't get penalized for being good. In fact, they'll keep getting even better.

That's one way to look at it, based on Colossians 3:23.

What are your thoughts?

Yours for Coaching Excellence,

Wes