First Opponent

 As we broke practice the night before our first game, we told the boys to anticipate butterflies.  The next time they take the field another team will be waiting at the other end.  They won't know anything about them outside what they observe:  

 "Dude, that kid's fast."
"That kid's huge." "         

"That one's fast and huge".

Observations like that, made that way, can mess with your head.

There was one other thing all the boys knew for certain.  In fact, the knowledge of that thing was responsible for  the anxious butterflies they felt.  They knew that those boys,

the ones down there,  would provide the measurement required to obtain the distance between self-perception, and reality.   When they leave the field  they'll know something about themselves they'd only previously believed.  They'll either be

• reassured that their self-confidence is warranted,  or 
• humbled by their misjudgment.  

Both are good places to begin.   Both take courage to find out.  

Lesson: You can't assess an opponent's ability by looking at them, so don't try.  Instead,  turn your attention on yourself.  Ask yourself if you prepared hard.  If you did, you're ready.  Ask if your team mates can count on you.  Ask if you trust in them.  If they can and you do, you're not alone.  Ask if you'll give all you've got, and get up each time you're knocked down.  If you will, you'll respect yourself, win or lose.  This is about you, not them. 

Notes:

• One athlete stood out in practices, but disappeared when
  
  it mattered.  Lesson: This game will expose you quickly.  It shows you who you are, and waits for you to respond.  Opportunities for growth will be provided.
• There were a few athletes who learned their natural talent isn't enough.  They got knocked down by kids half their size, aware everyone saw.    They had to come back to the sideline, and learn to laugh about it.
• If you want respect and admiration, earn it.  Running faster than others because you have extra fast-twitch muscle fibers isn't something you did.  Being the first to have a prepubescent growth spurt isn't an accomplishment.  It's hormonal.  You need to find what's inside you.