Tag Archives: volleyball

Inspiration

Don’t look defeated, show determination

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Recently I attended my daughter’s volleyball tournament, and a few of the teams were more highly skilled than others.

During the tournament, Daylyn’s team played one of the higher-skilled teams. And quickly, the other team was dominating on the scoreboard.

Most of the girls, including Daylyn, were hanging their heads and had the look of defeat even though the game was only half way over. And yes, of course, they got slaughtered.

After the game, Daylyn told me she was embarrassed and disappointed with her and the team’s performance.

I told her, you will always face stronger opponents in everything you compete in, but don’t let them see you’re mentally defeated. Instead, show your opponents and teammates the look of determination.

Show everyone that you might be getting beat on the scoreboard, but you’re still going to out-hustle everyone on the court and give your very best.

Now, think about it. We all face challenging situations in our everyday lives. Sometimes, we feel like we’re getting beat up and want to drop our heads and give up. This will only make us feel more disappointed in ourselves.

Don’t let your opponents or situations know they are defeating you. Learn to create a game face with grit, determination and fight your way back into the game of life.

Just know, Daylyn was in that game situation again, but she had the look of a warrior and battled to the end.

If a 15-year-old athlete can learn life lessons, so can you.

Now, go look in the mirror, make the scariest game face imaginable, and tell yourself that no one will defeat you again. Take a mental picture and next time you’re feeling defeated, pull out that game face and win the day.

From this day forward, defeated is no longer a part of me. This world will only see determination.

Fitness, Inspiration

Go for it and enjoy all of life’s experiences

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, September 9, 2015

My daughter just completed a series of volleyball tryouts for her school in which she made the team. Daylyn told me about her friend Jennifer who tried out knowing that she really didn’t have a chance.

You see, Jennifer is not very athletic and has tried out in the past only to be one of the first girls cut from the team. But what struck me was that Jennifer didn’t care. She decided to go for it anyway because it was still a lot of fun. Wow, now think about that. None of us like to expose our weaknesses or enjoy the embarrassment of failure. We get too caught up worrying what others will think and possibly say.

Jennifer didn’t care about anyone’s thoughts but only about the great experience she was having along with her friends.

It’s obvious Jennifer will have a great time experiencing life. She will glide through adulthood never saying “I should’ve, would’ve or could’ve.” 

This is a great lesson as parents. How many times do we allow our children to quit or not even try? We teach our children to accept standing on the sidelines or to sit in the stands and watch instead of participating. 

Be the example in your family and try something that is out of your comfort zone. Even if it didn’t turn out as you hoped, the journey and the experience will far outweigh the results. Plus it builds confidence to try again or at least attempt another spectacular feat. 

So go tell your kids to go for it, and they will build confidence and have fun like a supposedly nonathletic girl named Jennifer.

Fitness, Inspiration

Losing is part of life’s journey

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2015

If you’ve ever played sports or competed in something, besides winning, you’ve  experienced the feeling of losing. None of us like losing, but it’s part of life’s lessons that’s important to learn, especially for children.

As parents, it’s difficult watching our kids lose competition that’s clearly important to them at that time. 

My daughter Daylyn just went through a tearful loss of trying to win a position for a club volleyball team. There were hundreds of skilled players competing for only a few positions. She and many other girls were devastated after being cut from the team.

This was a moment in which parenting played an important role. We discussed every detail of where she gave full effort, and her possible weaknesses.

After going through a brief crying session and realizing there is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about, we put to together a new plan to tryout for one last team.

First, I worked on her confidence, good sportsmanship and understanding to turn this into a positive learning experience. Then, we targeted weak skills to rebuild courage and determination.

On the day of tryouts, Daylyn walked in ready to own and conquer the practice. During the car ride, she visualized already winning a position. My little girl took no prisoners, and played at a whole new level.

So you know, she did make the team, but the lessons learned in losing out-weighed any victory she’s ever had.

To be a champion, you must learn from losing.

Fitness, Inspiration

In sports or in life, what did you do next?

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, July 15, 2015

A common phrase I ask my children during their sport’s competition is, “what did you do next?”

We’ve all witnessed professional basketball players miss baskets and cry to the referee that someone fouled them, while the other team is hustling down the court to score. 

I told my son Dylan, who plays basketball for his high school team, that eventually someone will block your shot, and the opponent’s crowd will be screaming at you. But, it’s what you do next that will shut them up. It’s up to you to cry foul, or you can out-hustle, steal the ball back, and take another shot.

My daughter plays competitive volleyball, and sometimes she misses a block, dig, or has a bad serve. But, it’s what you do next that will determine the proceeding outcome. You can either show teammates a bad attitude or accept it’s part of the game, and make the next big play.

Over the past few years, my family uses the phrase, “what did you do next?” in all aspects of life. 

My kids have faced different levels of bullying and typical teenage drama, but they’ve become accustomed to handling those situations. 

What about you? Do you have challenging situations at work or home? When something happens to you, what’s your next action or words? Do you confront with professionalism and rationalism, or do you respond with anger and aggression? The later typically only makes the situation worse.  

Notice, people who stay cool and rational during adverse situations can diffuse problems peacefully. Also, these people typically receive occupational promotions and better life partners.

We all face challenges on a daily basis, but it’s how we respond to them that determines our true character. You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can always control how you respond.

So, next time you’re playing sports or are in challenging situations, ask yourself, “what do I do next”? I bet you’ll be the better person standing.

Inspiration

Lessons in sports help children in many ways

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Two years ago, when my daughter Daylyn was 12 years old, she fell in love with the game of volleyball.

In previous years, she played in many recreation leagues. We decided to step up her game, and try to join one of the club leagues. This would give her the opportunity to improve her skills and knowledge of the game.

Daylyn had missed the first set of tryouts, but one particular team allowed her to join a practice. The coach wanted to determine if she was good enough to make the team.

Oh my goodness, all these girls were very skilled with a fast-paced practice. Everyone knew what they were doing except for Daylyn. She was spinning in circles trying to keep up. It was obvious, she was a sheep thrown to the wolves.

Daylyn would glance at me every once in a while with tear-swollen eyes, biting her lip to keep from showing her emotions. But, my little girl never gave up, producing her best and battling through each drill. All I could do was to keep giving a thumbs-up signal for encouragement.

I’m glad she couldn’t see my face, for I had a steady stream of tears flowing down the crevices of my cheeks.

The real message here is for all you parents who put your kids in competitive youth sports. Just know, through all the bumps, bruises, scratches and falling down to get back up in the game, that your child will grow up with an edge in the competitive game of life.

We understand, it can be a cruel and challenging world, but with a sports background, you learn the drive to win and be your best.

Just so you know, Daylyn did make the team. She was chosen for possessing strong will and perseverance.

Through the season, Daylyn went from the only girl who struggled with overhand serves, to one of the team’s power servers

Inspiration

Paying tribute to heads of large households

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, February 11, 2015

This article is a tribute to the parents of large or blended families with children in multiple activities.

I, too, am part of a modern day blended family. Between my spouse and I, we have one teenager in college and four very active teenagers in multiple sports in three different schools. Yes, our house is a crazy house sometimes.

Here is a typical day out of the week — 4 p.m. basketball game at one school, 5:30 p.m. basketball game at another school, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. baseball scrimmage and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. club volleyball practice.

And, yes, between the both of us, we make it to all of these to cheer on our kids.

Don’t forget, there is dinner, laundry and homework during and after all of this.

I’m sure there are lots of families who can relate. We chose long ago to not see this as a burden or sacrifice, but to embrace and cherish every moment. We recognize our kids will only be with us for a short period of time.

Just know, if your kids don’t appreciate you now, they will once they have their own children. Believe it or not, you are their role model and they should want to grow up and be the same type of awesome parent.

Our children’s successes in sports, academics and any other activity lie completely in the hands of parents.

I give my standing ovation to all you amazing parents because we see you in the stands with us.

Like I told my spouse, no matter how crazy and challenging the days are, we all come home together at night to sleep in our loving home.

Sometimes at the end of the day, I feel like the family in the old Waltons TV show. I lie in bed and want to shout out “good night John boy”.

Inspiration

The speed of the game equals the speed of life

By DAVID TERPERA | Posted: Wednesday, December 10, 2014

My daughter’s volleyball experience is similar to life.

My daughter, Daylyn, is a club volleyball player. This year, she moved up to the 14-year-olds level.

The biggest difference compared to last year is the speed of the game. These 14-year-olds are flying all over the court with great saves, power serves, bumps, and spikes.

If you notice, speed increases with each level in all sports. How many times have you heard a rookie in the NFL say the difference between professional and college is the speed of the game?

I feel this is just how life moves. When we were kids, it seemed like it took forever for our birthdays or Christmas to come back around. Now, it seems like we just celebrated them.

You see, as we get older, life does seem to speed up. We now have so many more responsibilities, along with financial obligations and debt, that we get caught in a time warp. Because of this, we keep putting off our goals, ambitions and health.

Don’t give up on your dreams. What are your goals? Do you want to continue your education, get in better shape, find a better job, get out of a bad relationship, get off drugs and alcohol or find religion?

The list is endless according to your professional and personal lives. Write down your life goals and put a plan together. Share your plan with others to help be accountable.

Don’t let Father Time fly by you. Don’t throw in the towel and feel you’re too old, too late or too dumb.

Colonel Sanders founded Kentucky Fried Chicken when he was 65-years-old. Ronald Reagan became the 40th president of the United States at the ripe old age of 70.

Stick to your plan, love all people, volunteer, and be the amazing person that’s been hiding under your skin.

It’s your life — be happy. Go for it — you deserve it.