Lessons Can Be Learned From Losses

Winning is a special experience. Most people enjoy winning because it makes you feel good. Losing usually makes you feel bad.

I’m sure neither of those statements are a great revelation for you! However, do you take time with your team to find the lessons that can be learned from both victory and from a losing effort.

It really takes some thought to identify those lessons, but more often than not some of the things we learn from a loss are the greatest things we can learn from sports.

Some players are on teams that seem to win all the time. Aren’t they lucky! Actually, they may not be as fortunate as you might think. Without the "agony of defeat" to counter balance the "thrill of victory" those people are often ill equipped to deal with significant disappointments they may face in later life.

Sometimes we win games just because we are the better team, or we have the better players. Feel good about those wins, but realize they probably came easy. Cherish the experiences when you weren’t the better team and you did your best, created opportunities to be successful and were able to pull out a positive result.

Make your players aware that this type of experience came from their hard work, determination and effort.

When they give that same type of effort, and do not win, this is a good time to stress that there are no guarantees of success. Because it is not guaranteed just because you want to win so badly, it is important not to take winning for granted.

I’ve heard coaches, who seem to win all the time, say that sometimes winning isn’t so much a thrill as it is a relief that you didn’t lose. Winning should always be exciting, and if you give your best and are beaten by a better team.....don’t look for an excuse.

And always respect your opponent, because without them you can have no game. It is your opponents, and the effort they bring to the game, that makes you better!

Article by Ray Alley, Southern Soccer Scene.com