I totally hear you. My experience is at the other end of the spectrum in almost every way but that same rewarding feeling resonates.

A few years ago I got into coaching hockey. I was never a superstar player or anything – I spent my minor hockey years as a house-leaguer – but after growing up in a coaching household (my dad’s been coaching for 30 some odd years) it seemed like a natural way to spend my weekends.

I’ve been working with 9 and 10 year olds and, for the most part, the ones that are either new to hockey or well established as bottom-level house leaguers. And for as much as I’ve taught them, they’ve taught me twice as much about reconnecting with the game at its most basic level.

They play hockey to have fun. They don’t have delusions of superstardom (though that doesn’t stop them from trying the latest super deke in the shootout drills), they just enjoy getting out on the ice win or lose.

I’m not coaching this year (new baby and all) and I’m really missing watching that light bulb go off, as you so eloquently put it.

“Help others understand what they already know and equip them with some tools so they can be successful.”

Which is also my comment. As in, your post did both for me.

Thanks.