The Three P's. Politics, Pride, and Poise. Every year these three simple words cause more problems for athletes and specifically hockey players more and more. Unfortunately, for me, I've found this out, mostly the hard way! There is the way, “it should be” and then there is, Reality, the way it really works.
The game has changed dramatically over the years as well as the way athletes advance to the next higher levels of play. Without question, we have, for the most part, moved away from advancing those who excel at their position, who are well rounded both academically and socially, and demonstrate a solid work ethic. Today, the majority of those who advance, do so by not, “…what they know…” but rather, “… who they know!” There are many who observe this even at the earliest levels of hockey, right down at the association level at all age and skill levels. In my opinion, the root evil of this situation is quite simple…. Money, or more specifically, a lack there of!
Hockey is an expensive sport, plain and simple. Parents who make the commitment to keeping their child in the game of hockey have made a decision that is one of sacrifice, both financial and personal... Quite simply, the higher the level of play, the greater the sacrifice for the family. This money goes towards association registration/ membership fees, team dues, travel expense and we're not even at the AAA or Junior levels yet. The billeting fee's, team fee's, and family separation costs at these higher levels is even greater. Thousands of dollars, vacations not taken, long trips into the grips of winters teeth. The picture isn't as clear for the player who is skilled but whose family, even committed to sacrifice, and does not have the financial means to support the dream. Yet there is another group of hockey figures we've not addressed, who also make a great deal of sacrifice, yet have greater control over a player's destiny than parents would think.
Amateur hockey is a sport that is supported on a foundation of volunteerism. From the top down, from the board president right down to the coach, the only ones getting paid at the association level are the ones enforcing the rules. The most important ones who are responsible for teaching the game, molding and shaping the young minds, developing the requisite skill sets to advance the players to the next level are volunteers! Why do they do it? Many get involved because their child is playing. Then there are those whose motivation is the love of the sport. For the coaches who keep coaching when their child/ player move on… they too fall into the category of, “love of sport” coaches. These individuals could be doing anything else besides living at the ice rink season after season. If they came from a playing background, they might know a person or two that might take a look at a player. If not, all a player or parent can do is hope. So who are these other coaches?
Few coaches at the travel level get a salary, more at the AAA level and most all at the Junior levels get paid, but for the time commitment given, their coaching comes with a higher price tag than their wage can cover. Solid AAA and Junior organizations cycle through out the year. There is the scouting and recruitment effort that runs year long, then during the summer, there are the tryouts, and shortly after team selection the season begins in earnest! The higher level teams play 60 plus game schedules, practice every day and travel extensively! These coaches are time constricted when it comes to seeking employment to supplement their income, and let me tell you that the pay at these higher levels of play is hardly a livable salary! So what does this all mean? It represents the start of a domino effect that I call the Three P's!
If you're Junior A coach you cannot hold another job for at least 9 months out of the year. Between the practice and travel schedule, (You're out of town almost every other weekend,) and on top of it all you can barely make ends meet. Put that into the equation before answering. What this means is that coaches no longer do it for the love… they do it for the Pride. Coaches begin to supplement pay with Pride. The Pride payoff comes from moving players on regardless of talent, and by winning championships. The more of each they do, the more Pride they have. Pride is also another word for EGO. When Pride and Ego become the motivating factor in the decision making matrix… the risk of making clouded and misguided decisions becomes greater.
The higher level of hockey the coach has played, the bigger his pride and ego! I see better coaches from the lower levels of hockey say minor pro or juniors, and the associations, than from those who played in the NHL. Why? Because they don't let their pride get in the way of making decisions. Just because you played at the highest level does not mean you can coach at the highest level. My favorite example is Tiger Woods. Tiger is arguably the best golfer to ever hit the course. Even the best have to have a coach right? So who is his coach, a former pro? Nope! He was a guy who really never played the game professionally. The best golfer in the world is being coached by his dad… who never played the game professionally.
Now I talked about pride as the 1 st P. The next one is very closely related to it. Politics. Most everyone who reads this can relate to this P because it happens everywhere in life. It's not the, “what” you know but the, “who!” Since coaches have to supplement their salary with pride and promote players to get the pride payoff, how do they get players to move on? Coaches get players moved by attaching to other people who are at higher levels. They make deals, or have friends. Just like any other place in life some player will be picked based exclusively on politics. I could give several examples but, for time sake I'll let you draw from your own experience!
With the first two P's being about the somewhat negative but real side of hockey, you might be asking what the third P is and its relation to the first two. Well the third P stands for Poise!
Poise is the term and the weapon of choice that I like to use to battle the first two P's. In hockey and life, there will always be forces that you cannot control. The only thing you can do is keep poised about everything. You have to have a hard outside shell to go anywhere in hockey. You have to let things roll off of you that would other wise be disturbing. Advanced level coaches are always going to be political and let their pride guide their decision making… you cannot control this. However, what you can control is your poise! Put your nose to the grind stone, be the first one on the ice, the last one off, and most of all… keep your poise and maturity about any and all situations that may come your way.
If you can understand the Three P's you will have a better shot of getting through the ranks and have better mental stability. Most of what happens in hockey off the ice is beyond your control. Know why it happens, know how you can help put your self above it, and you will be just fine. Keep Your Poise! |
