When you have your team do running or other intense drills,
do you ever refer to them as “suicides?” Chances are that you do. It’s pretty
common nomenclature, but if you really stop and think about what you’re saying,
it’s easy to see that it’s also entirely inappropriate. Suicide is a real and
growing problem among youths, and throwing the word around idly makes light of
a serious problem. Furthermore, the word can be triggering and painful to those
players who know someone who has tried to commit suicide or been successful in
doing so.
Also, a lot of the sports drills that are typically called
“suicides” really aren’t all that helpful. Drilling running or some other
exercise isn’t really going to help young hockey players. They need to be
focusing on drills and exercises that benefit them all around and that target
many different skills, not just drills that help them to improve in one area
and/or that are so intense they could lead to injury or strain.
Of course, running and general exercise is still important,
but calling it “suicide” isn’t likely to make other players want to do it! Not
only can coaches save hurt feelings and negative associations by not using this
ugly name, but they can also make exercise something fun and positive, not
something players dread and fear.
As you can see, there are a lot of good reasons not to use
the term “suicides.” Think about the other names you, as a coach, have for the
activities and exercises you do. If any of them are violent, inappropriate, or
just plain negative in nature, then take the time to think up some more
creative, more appropriate names. Positive names can go a long way!
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