At practice last Wednesday I got to participate in blocking and jamming drills for the first time since I had hurt my ribs. I am definitely not as skilled as my teammates but they encouraged me every I was the jammer to get through the pack. It was fun, encouraging, and exciting as I realized I was moving better. The work I had done on my foot work and endurance was showing . I left practice that night feeling like I was getting better and excited that I got to practice drills with my team.
Sunday I arrived at practice and the only other player that showed up was our practice leader. We don't officially have a coach yet. She wants to play so she leads practice but we don't call her coach. As we skated to warm up, she talked to me about my abilities. She told me she didn't feel I was really ready to hit and be hit. Concerned that I would get hurt, she said she had some drills I could do on my own to practice blocking. This may have, in the past, taken the wind out of my sails. Crushing me to the point of giving up. But I know I have come a long way and I am realistic about my abilities. I am slower, weaker, less balanced and less agile than the rest. I want to get it right and be able to kept up with my team. And not get too terribly hurt.
So for practice that night I got some really good one on one help from this wonderful teammate. We worked on Booty blocks and hitting with hip and shoulder. We practiced against the wall, then stationary as a pair, then on the track. By the time we finished I felt like I had done squats for an hour. But I also felt like I had REALLY learned some new skills. I knew what muscles need work. What things I can practice while drills are going on that, for now, I will not participate in.
I am at the gym 4 days a week and try to make 3 out of 4 practices a week. I am improving all the time and I know with continued work I will pass the skills test someday and get to play. Until then, I will serve my team anyway I can.
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