"The Fury, The Rage"

Over the past few years, I have read several dozen books on soccer and a few more on motivation, biographies on great athletes and other high energy books. Its kind of what inspired me to begin writing this column. That and its kind of a stress reliever. One of the thoughts that has continued to roll around in my big head comes from the chapters in Anson Dorrances book, “Vision of a Champion”. Its about the psyche and mentality of strikers. They are unique. Fearless, aggressive, confident, cocky, physical and probably 200 other adjectives to describe them. Anson refers to it as “The Fury”. He does as great a job as anyone I have ever read. There comes a time in the career of the female soccer player that they either turn the corner in soccer or move on to other sports or interests. Some players have natural athleticism and will be successful at many sports, but do they really have the passion, drive, will, and love to reach the top of a particular sport. I think not. Take natural athleticism and “the fury” and you will have a national level or professional player.
A player with the tools and “the fury’ need to be developed and given the special attention they need to get them to the top level. In today’s sports environment its tough. Clubs are primarily team oriented. The ODP program in the state where I reside is in a shambles. Politics have taken over and it’s about who you know and not about player ability. It’s a shame and I would even contend that it goes to the region level when a parent can manipulate a coach to recommend their player to the region team and that coach will go balls to the wall to make it happen. Well, that’s another article. Super Y is here to stay. Ultimately the divisional coach makes the decision, but the rest of the coaches during the season make the choices. We’re still a long way from the perfect solution.
My player lives the sport. Gives 120% all the time, makes personal sacrifices to pursue her dreams of playing college soccer and maybe the US National team someday. She has it. She has all the symptoms. She has “The Fury”. If you’ve read Michael Jordans book you’ll discover the pinnacle level of “the Fury”. It’s called “The Rage”. I would even go so far as to think she has “The Rage”. She will taunt, she’ll celebrate, she’ll shove you down, and she’s even hit kids and knocked them to the ground in the past years. She gets into the zone where she is almost totally unaware of her surroundings. It’s really deep inside. Do most parents think their player have it. Like most parents they may think their little player has the ability to reach a national level, but do they really have it. Do they have “The Rage” to make the sacrifices, play through the hurt, play through ridicule from older players, focus on winning at all costs, giving 120% percent, be unselfish when need be and selfish when need be. There are times when you just have to “go to goal” and have the confidence to take people 1v1. When every coach that works with your player, thinks she has something special. When a coach gets excited about training and coaching your player every session. When your player is entertaining. When older girls and opposing players hate your kid. There is something special.
Its time to think about the individual, its time for a coach to give that little extra time, the little extra effort, every bit of knowledge. When it’s not about the money. It’s about this special player achieving goals and reaching their full potential. It has to be deep for the coach. How deep did Freddy Adu’s coach go? Lebron James, Tiger woods, Wayne Gretsky. How about Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Tiffany Milbret, Kristine Lilly, Heather O’Reilly. How can we keep politics out of these decisions and stick to the kid. Ponytails and numbers is what I like to hear. Its all about the player, not the relationships and who knows who. Its about “The Fury”.