| Those are the words of Carol Dalton -- no, not the | | | | against top players yet. He's concerned that I might get |
| spoken words. In fact, Carol will be surprised and | | | | beat and it'll hurt my attitude. Besides that, our team |
| indignant if the Coach were to ask, "Don't you think | | | | needs the wins to qualify for the state tournaments." |
| that you're pushing Sarah too hard? She's having | | | | "He's wrong again. I'll call him this evening and let him |
| trouble dealing with the pressure." Carol was a | | | | know how I feel about this. I am really concerned |
| champion tennis player in high school, college, and on | | | | about what the other parents in our club will think about |
| the pro tour. She left the tour to raise a family, including | | | | you not being #1." |
| Sarah. Carol is still the champion at the local tennis club | | | | Instant Analysis:1. Carol is dealing with her goals for |
| and plays a mean game of bridge -- she wins all the | | | | Sarah regardless of Sarah's goals or the situation. |
| local duplicate bridge tournaments. | | | | 2. Carol is getting Sarah caught between following the |
| Let's listen in as Carol talks to Sarah: | | | | Club pro's teaching and her Coach's coaching. Real |
| "Sarah, have you been practicing the slice serve that | | | | confusion may occur when the Coach is telling her |
| the club pro taught you yesterday." | | | | how to serve during the match. |
| "Yes, and I think I have it down. We'll see how it works | | | | 3. Carol is into the "What will the neighbors think?" |
| in our school's match with Ashland High next week. It's | | | | concern rather than Sarah's needs. |
| not quite the same as the one Coach Adams taught | | | | 4. Carol, the perfectionist, is wanting to make Sarah as |
| us. Oh, he has me matched up with their third ranking | | | | perfect as she is, but the message that Sarah is |
| player." | | | | getting is "I am never going to be good enough. I make |
| "Well, I think your Coach Adams is dead wrong again. | | | | too many mistakes." |
| You should be playing their #1 player. I always played | | | | Are You a Carol? Check the Appropriate Box:___ |
| my best against the other team's best player. I never | | | | Nope, that's not me and will never be me. |
| lost a match and I felt that the tougher the opponent | | | | ___ Wow! That's too close for comfort. I am glad you |
| the better for me. You don't learn much from playing a | | | | pointed this out to me. |
| mediocre opponent." | | | | ___ Yes, that's me and I am correct in dealing with |
| "Coach Adams says that I might not be ready to go | | | | my child in this way. |