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TheHotFlashSeattleI'm a person who found derby at JUST the right time in my life to give me hope, make me stronger and experience something that had been waiting for me all these years! My goal is to help other people find ways to skate,connect and inspire each other to get back on track when they begin to slip off, or help them up when they fall. I've worked to overcome ADHD and PTSD and for most of my life had no awareness of making any connection between these issues and any relationship to myself. I make no claim of being a great coach or leader but I do want to share what I've figured out along the way. I am determined to have my life be about triumph and connection with other people.
Just like many other people in this world - In my life I've lost people that I loved and have experienced falling hard enough that I didn't think I would get back up. I continue to keep my perspective focused on rising above the challenges and seeing the beauty of life rather than accepting or being resigned to circumstance. I love family and others who struggle with addiction and obesity and I try to move forward finding ways to find tools to offer hope not just for myself or my family but for anyone else who needs it. We are O.S.D.A. (Old School Derby Association), skate with OSDA and USARS rules and are open to women, men and co-ed. Our leagues are instructional, and our advanced practices are competitive; Our first ticketed event is January 29th 2012 at Bellevue Skate King. January 2012 also merges my non-profit HeadHigh Program -Seattle Junior Derby with the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, which will have roller derby and an off -skates program for obese or non-athletic children. This will allow children to have an opportunity to experience being on a "team" while being able to make the mind - body connection. The power of team helps self-esteem! Helping each other through the pack is what life is about for me. On and off skates we get knocked down, get back up, reset and help each other through as we look around for the openings to jump through and reach inside to find the endurance we need to be able to make it around one more time even when we don't think we can. Derby = life = Derby; It's all the same game to me.
Process
Posted on 1/9/2012
I've always said that for a skater,roller derby is a process of going from self-doubt to self-confidence but it is more than that; it is an awareness of our own self-limiting thinking.
Roller Derby Coaching #7
Posted on 11/30/2011
If you ask your skaters what they want to work onThey want to work on this:
Right?Roller Derby Coaching #6
Posted on 11/19/2011
Before introducing many “drills” I think a coach should make certain that skaters:
Roller Derby Coaching #5
Posted on 11/18/2011
THE COACH SETS THE TONE AND CONTROLS THE ENERGY OF THE GROUP.
If Skaters feel powerless they won't be in control of their goal setting and it will be a LOT harder for them to act with intention. I like to go around the group at the beginning of each practice to ask the skaters what they'd like to work on; I think this can help them have awareness of why they are there. If someone is there to just get out of their house that is fine by me but it can help people focus if they have a goal for the day. Teams need to have the guidelines in place and a unified goal to experience the group efficacy of champions. If a coach can't follow this philosophy it will be nearly impossible for the skaters to rise up.
Derby practice should be about basics, basics and more basics. I also believe that until skating skills are mastered, most common derby drills will either be dangerous or innefective at best. COMMUNICATIONIf coaches are direct about their expectations it will pave the way for skaters to have accountability and accept feedback that is direct. If the overall environment lends itself to skaters stepping out of their comfort zone to try new things the energy will be driven by “aha” moments, sharing and empowerment. If this is achieved, then it could also diminish or eliminate cliques. COMPETITIONIf there is a discrepancy between:
1).the criteria identified by the coach and 2). who is actually “chosen” to be on the roster it will: If skills are cut and dry about what is required for competition they’ll be better prepared to do what is necessary for the team and have a mind set to be ready to focus on their performance. The goal is to prepare skaters to achieve the mind set of training and focusing. If you provide the information that is key in choosing an all star team, then everyone is prepared for not being chosen and may better understand the connection between performance, self motivation and what it takes to be an all star.
Roller Derby Coaching Mental Attitude Skater Checklist
Posted on 11/18/2011
The mental aspect of roller derby (or any other sport) is a progression of replacing self - doubt with self confidence.
Here is how it pretty much plays out......Roller Derby Coaching #4
Posted on 11/17/2011
When someone comes to one of my Derby League practices, I hope they can let go of preconceived notion of roller derby coaching and / thoughts about how it should look.
Roller Derby Coaching #3
Posted on 11/17/2011
Kindness is NOT weakness......Discipline is not mean.
We want to teach skaters to make decisions in the moment that will allow them to perform under stress and anxiety. Some of the best skaters at practice will fall apart when the spotlight is on them, and often in competition the meek ones jump out to surprise the hell out of everyone Roller Derby Coaching #2
Posted on 11/17/2011
Roller Derby rookie practice should be about:
· Self Confidence · Growth · Opportunity · Community · Self Improvement · Focus · Determination · Changing · Learning · Helping · Mentoring · Enjoyment · Exercise · Focus · Intention · Preparation
Roller Derby Coaching #1
Posted on 11/16/2011
I've been working on a coaching manual so I could delegate some of my league practices knowing that my ideals are conveyed to the head coach and assistant coaches.
I'm going to share it piece by piece..
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