Embrace the challenge!
A note from the director on high level competition and raising the bar for our recreational athletes.
"One of the biggest things the coaches and admin are attempting to bring to EAC is the belief that players need to know how to play every position, we witnessed this weekend how our own battle proven team can effectively be broken down as an entire offense, how we move in the pool, what we're going to do before we do it and opposing teams knew exactly how to move to force a new player into the goal area at will until vulnerabilities were found, this is simply because we are creatures of habit. Our strength in the past has become our weakness at this level, we need to learn to get comfortable at spots "we don't normally play-in".
In my own experience, professionally and through sports it's easy to get good at something, so good that people tell you you're good, then you become comfortable and no longer push yourself, in our case we need to learn every position. For instance, when we see a great shooter from the 4-5 side, but then find they freeze up at Set, or you know how to defend an outside wing, but moving to 2m defense or the Top is the scariest thing in the world because "I don't know how" . One of, if not the single most reason to correct this today is that when you or your athlete(if you're a parent) goes on to play pick up games, high school, college, masters or even at another club they can jump right in and be an impact player, leading to more earned playtime from a team or coach that knows little of you. At the highest levels of competition, and even with local recreational teams looking to pad numbers, we see International athletes are coming in and taking playtime from U.S. players, simply because they know the game and can execute on the technical aspects of each position as if it's a second language.
Coach Brad and myself have discussed adding training aids to the teamlinkt app, look out for updates and be sure your athlete has their own account to watch the videos. Obviously anything myself or coaches add to the app is optional to watch, these videos will include simple tips and tricks along with deeper education on positions. As a parent you'll know if your athlete watched those videos, we'll know if they watched the videos and it will show in the water if they watched those videos, it's optional, the work you do when no one is watching is what matters the most and it makes a difference when it comes to competing. As a bonus, athlete's will earn badges and can compete with teammates in the app as they gain skills.
As a board member, coach and parent, I want to provide the skills needed to overcome that adversity. I myself have began to take on a bigger role with EAC and it's development into Top Level competition while also remaining a recreational club, with this comes the idea that this game is dynamic and changes second by second, minute by minute of every game. It's my belief that there is no coach that can take everything into account as it's happening, sure, some maybe better than others at this single skill, but the best coaches and my own mentors have shown me that it's far better to have a team that can think for themselves in the game and only need technical and emotional guidance to get that breakthrough from coaches. This means increasing "Waterpolo IQ" so that athletes can adjust in game knowing what an opponent is doing and why, simply because they themselves have learned the game.
While our club undergoes this transformation, it's crucial to recognize that we possess the same tools, ideas, and methods as other highly successful clubs. We are at the initial stages of an exciting journey. Parents who've been part of this group since 12U and earlier understand the process's challenges. It's not easy, but it's a necessary evolution to push the envelope of our capabilities.
A special commendation to our 14U girls for their exceptional conduct, to parents for their unwavering support, and to coaches for discerning when to emphasize learning over struggling. With the advent of technology and data, we have the means to delve deeper. However, the data is only as good as what we feed it. Let's each find our performance baseline, discard any inhibitions, and strive to make a significant impact in every game.
Parents, please encourage after game thinking, let them know why you love watching them play and please do not encourage disrespectful language about players, coaches or referees, let's teach our athletes to hold themselves and teammates accountable. How your child athlete processes post game wins and losses is individual, whatever that is, help encourage a positive team culture. One comment from a parent after a game could be the reason an athlete falls out of love with the sport, remember they are playing for them, not for you.
My goal is to provide EAC with the training and tools needed to play at the highest levels and remain competitive. We have a dedicated group of coaches who will be training along side Rico and Tony Azevedo this Friday to help level up our programming. Players can attend the clinic for a cost of $175, visit www.empirewpf.com for registration info. When it comes to coaching is currently interviewing applicants now for additional coaches to join the staff.
While we could aim to dominate every B-level team and tournament, our aspiration is to compete with the best while staying true to our purpose of building leaders, community and great humans. Through this approach, we won't get a wildcard spot into J.O's for one team; we'll earn every spot our club gets, starting today!
Let's be proud of what EAC is and stands for, let's continue to show our children to set the bar high for themselves and to make the choice to live up to that expectation for themselves and their team. I am excited to see this growth take place, to see where we need work, and to be able provide tools to improve. It's up to us all to write the next chapter of Elsinore Aquatics Club!
Good Luck to our 14U Boys who Travel to Irvine this weekend for the Patriot tournament, Start strong, Stay Driven and Finish Strong!
?? #EACTransformation #WaterpoloEvolution #CompeteWithTheBest"
-Tommy Avalos
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