The Coach Is Talking

Stuff, general thoughts, ideas, observations as I see them. It is not easy to know what a person is thinking by just observing. By sharing thoughts and observations we allow others an indication into our thinking process. I welcome your comments. Contact Coach N

March 23, 2009-Gelling-While I may have invented a word in my use of "gelling," the concept is very clear. To gel, means "to harden" or "to solidify," which is very appropriate when commenting on the transformation that is taking place in both our boys and girls water polo teams. In order for a unit to play together, it must first go through a transformation which can only take place by playing in games and practicing together. There is no way for this to take place in any other manner. Individuals become teammates as players learn to count on each other and more importantly to hold each other accountable.

In our girls program we have two groups, u16 and u18 teams that are making ready for Junior Olympic competition this coming summer. In just two weekends since they have started, already a strong link is forming as members of our frosh soph team bonds themselves to older members of our squad.

I am happy to report that our boys are making the commitment as well. After a rather slow start to off season training, some strong leadership is starting to develop, and we are beginning to see not only the shape of our summer JO team, but a clear rotation of next season's varsity team is developing as well.

It is not too late to jump in, although it will be too late at some point, and that point is approaching. It takes realistically 9 or 10 players to make a varsity rotation. The excuse that I can't do swimming and water polo at the same time is just that, only an excuse. Our swimming program has been very forgiving to those wishing to play water polo and swim. Everybody has homework and projects. It is simply a matter of the commitment you are willing to make to those who will be your teammates.

February 23, 2009-Boys Complete Nearly Full Season....In The "Off Season."-What do you do during your off season? If you are a member of the Sunny Hills High School Boys team you go right back to work which is what many members of our team did beginning in late November. Just about the time that girls season was getting started, a group of diligent boys began training with Fullerton Hills Water Polo Club and this past weekend they completed games number 19 and 20 in their quest to play in 100 games before the Fall season.

If you are counting that means these players just completed what amounts to about an entire high school season's worth of games and gaining that much more experience along the way.

I had the pleasure of sitting on the bench this last Sunday and I was most impressed with the progress a number of our more committed players have made. The difference between our Fall high school season to now is remarkable.

In the past all of our efforts have been focused solely on our high school season. When high school season ended in the Fall, players often geared down and only began to re focus in the Summer. For seniors, when wp ended in the Fall, that was it for them.

We are in the midst of a transformation within our water polo program, a change in our water polo culture if you will. High School season will of course always be important, however our new focus will be to gear up for the Summer Junior Olympic Tournament as well. The reasoning for this is US Water Polo's emphasis on individual honors that it makes available to players who meet certain rigid criteria.

Many of our high school players are exceptional students and deserve to have all awards and honors due to them. US Water Polo honors excellent students with it's "Academic All American" program. A student that can maintain a 3.5 gpa or better, and who plays in a national qualifying tournament is then eligible for this great honor. The honor is an EXCELLENT college resume addition. There are also other US Water Polo awards available, including "All American" which can be earned by outstanding performance in a national event, of which Junior Olympics is a qualified event.

If this sounds like something you are interested in, climb aboard. Our Spring season is underway, practices are happening and games and tournaments are being planned. I have said this many times before, it is crucial to go through the adversity as a group, if you plan on being part of the group you should get involved.

With both our boys and girls gearing up for "JO's" this Summer, our overall program is made stronger. I hope that everyone will take advantage of this opportunity.

January 21, 2009 Interview With Coach-I received an e-mail request for an interview by a student reporter. She asked some very good questions, and I thought I would share the interview with you because I think it sheds some light into what we are about in our water polo program.

1. What made you want to coach water polo? The sport was something I had success with in high school, I felt that it gave me an identity, self worth, and a purpose. I played in college for two years but decided what I really wanted to do was to coach a team. I liked the organizational aspect of coaching, the challenge of making 10-12 pieces function as one. In later years I have enjoyed the challenges of managing players, their education, their day to day needs, helping them over come obstacles and being their mentor.

2. How are the girls' and boys' teams different? We have a saying on our web site: "Its not some game I play, it's what I am," that personifies what our water polo program is about. Both our boys and girls water polo teams should reflect that statement. Every team is different, every team has it's own personality, and every team has it's own level of commitment. I coach student athletes, male, and female, each has the same potential, there is no difference in that. Each season, a group of student athletes shows up to play, the outcome of their season is determined both by how they perform during the season, and maybe more importantly, by how they prepare in the off season. I really see no difference in the genders, it is the way individuals approach their tasks.

4. What is your favorite thing about water polo/coaching? I love the struggle. Every team faces a struggle. Every team must go through the struggle together, it simply doesn't work if some members go on vacation, or must be somewhere else when the rest of the team is struggling.

I Love adversity. Adversity is what tests your character. When things are going well, a person's character is not exposed, it is easy to hide in success. However, when adversity comes along, that is when a person's character is laid wide open for the world to see. I love those moments, they are uncomfortable, they are awkward, they are not pleasant, but they are necessary. Those moments of struggle are when we grow, when we mature, and when we learn to overcome. The victories in the water are simply the manifestation of us overcoming those adversities.

When our boys were Freeway League Champions in 2007, that represented a tremendous leap not only for the boys on that team, but for all the boys that for 14 years, (last title was in 1993) struggled to get over that hump. It was also a great leap for Coach Nighswonger, as it represented a full return to what our boys program had been so long ago. Yes, I love adversity, struggling and overcoming the struggle.

Least favorite?

I wish that student athletes did not have so many demands on them. School has become so heavy, with so much homework that being a student-athlete is becoming more and more difficult. I understand where it comes from, but boys and girls have tremendous academic challenges which they must deal with. We PLAY sports. Play is quickly becoming a concept that is nearing extinction. Play is a very important part of our development. When we play we learn how to deal with others, how to work towards a common good, how to overcome obstacles, we learn to be accountable, we learn ethics, we learn leadership, we learn application of our talents, and I hate to see these kinds of things lost because play is an important part of our development.

I also really hate video games. Don't get me wrong, I even enjoy playing a video game from time to time, but video games are this generation's addiction. When a young man or young lady is staying up until four o'clock in the morning playing video games, in my mind that is as dangerous an addiction as any other. While that person may not be chemically dependant, that person is still falling asleep in class the next day, losing motivation, and not progressing towards the goals they should have in their life. Does that make me sound old?

5. Going into the La Habra game, how did you feel, knowing that we haven't beat them in, like, 2 years? It might seem like two years, but last year La Habra defeated us three times, two of those were by last minute goals in games that could have gone either way. Those three wins by La Habra are the only times LH has defeated us, so it has actually only been one season. Now that we have cleared that up. La Habra returns three excellent players from last year's team, and those players represent the struggle, the adversity that I mentioned earlier. Those players broke our hearts last season, and whether we would be able to defeat them, was a shadow that loomed over us.

7. How is the girls' water polo team different from that of the previous year? We are younger! I cannot get over how young our team is. I am asking 9th and 10th graders to do things expected from a senior player. On the other hand, our older girls on the team have done a fantastic job of helping our younger girls assimilate into varsity play. Our team chemistry is the best I have ever seen, it is interesting, the girls in our varsity group really treat each other as equals. We are not 12th graders, 11th graders, 10th graders and 9th graders, we are teammates all on equal footing, each accountable to the other.

From other sports teams? Every group is different, but each leaves its own legacy. Every group reacts to the standard that was left for them by the group ahead of them. This group is establishing a wonderful standard.

8. Of the girls' accomplishments on the team, which are you most proud of? Ironically, the water polo is the least of what impresses me about this season's team. They support each other, carry each other, look after each other and take care of each other. The team is a very close community that nobody else gets to experience. We laugh together, cry together and deal with our adversities together. It is that experience that strengthens us, helps us grow, helps us learn. There is nothing in the world like being on a team, because you have to let go of your own interests to accomplish what is in the team's best interest. I love the way this girl's team supports each other.

January 16, 2009-Off Season-I think I should say this here and now, that the concept of an "off season" is a thing of the past. I have been pushing our boys to play in Sunday three game tournaments and week night scrimmages, just as I did with the girls in the fall, this year because the landscape of this sport is rapidly changing. In the past, water polo players participated in spring practice, a summer season, and then their high school season which took place either in the fall or winter. We usually then went to some off season training of some kind, a PE class if you will, before joining the swim team in the spring.

This has changed and in order to try and stay ahead of the wave of high school water polo it has become necessary to train and play during the off season. We all like to win and unfortunately we cannot count on our competition to take the "off season" off.

I personally like the "off season" games a lot more than the actual high school season. While will want to win, there is not the pressure of "having to win," and we are given the opportunity to get more players into games, and most importantly, we get the chance to "LEARN" in game environments without the pressure of having to win. We do not want to, nor can we afford to "LEARN" during Freeway League competition, we have to have already "LEARNED" before we get there.

There is no doubt a water polo culture change is what I am trying to push here. We need to step up to a new level. Our players must become year-rounders. This is not to say that they cannot do other things, but if we are going to stay ahead of the wave, we are going to need play. I welcome your comments.

January 14, 2008-Varsity And JV-I have been asked to comment on the subject of JV and Varsity within our water polo program. The following is an explanation of my philosophy regarding the two teams. My first observation is that Varsity and JV are actually part of the same group. We have never had a "cut" in water polo, I believe that some bloom later than others, and that by creating an atmosphere where all members can compete to get better, the general program will reap the benefits. This is my general philosophy, it has worked for 25 years, and I prove this to myself time and time again, when someone, who may not have been "on the radar" when they started, develops into a strong player. Omar Amr is an excellent example of how this system has worked for us over the years. As a junior, Omar was a skinny kid who got pushed around a lot. He didn't ball handle very well, his passing was suspect and had there not been a JV team, he would have to have been cut from the program. Omar benefited a great deal by being in the same workout with varsity players, the lessons they taught him, were invaluable.

If you know our program, then you know that Omar dominated his senior year '92, went on to play at UC Irvine, and is now a former Olympian, having been on the US National teams in 2000 and 2004.

I strive to "fast track" as many of our players as possible. By "fast track," I mean I want them to get as much varsity experience as they can handle, as soon as they are able to handle it. This year during our boys season several 10th graders played in varsity games both as necessity and because the opportunity to play varsity and possibly earn a varsity letter was available. This girl's season we have a few underclass players in the same boat.

I will always try to push a player who can handle it, toward the stronger competition, and will do so when I can. This sometimes leads to questions of "what team am I on?" The answer: You are in the varsity group, be ready to go. In tight league games a player may dress for the varsity game, yet not get his number called by the coach. Fortunately when this happens, the day is not over for that player. If he or she does not get into the varsity match, they most certainly will play in the JV match.

This can pose problems for parents who aren't sure which level their child will play on a given day. I don't think I have a good answer for that other than to say, talk to your child, ask them where they think they will be playing and plan for that level. Ideally a parent would come to both games because even if the child did not get in the first game, there would be significant playing time in the next game.

To earn a varsity a letter a player in our program is supposed to attend 95% of all team events, (practice and games,) and play a majority of games at the varsity level. We often however, elect players who have come close to those numbers for varsity letters as well. A player could earn a varsity letter by attending all varsity group practices and playing in some varsity matches, even though they played a lot of games at the JV level.

Finally, I don't like to designate a player as JV or Varsity to start a season. I like competition for playing time, and seeing players rise to a challenge. Designating a player as JV is to tell that player they have no hope of rising in the ranks of our program, likewise to tell a player he or she is Varsity may cause that player to relax a little bit. It is a varsity group, we all do the same workout. If a player doesn't happen to get into a varsity game, they should go out and dominate at the JV level.

As far as awards are concerned. I try to recognize as many players at our banquets as is possible. I do allow players to vote, but my focus is recognizing the efforts of our players. What would a player rather receive? A varsity letter or a JV award? In my mind, a varsity letter trumps any recognition at a lower level. A player's goal should always be to earn that varsity letter. Finishing short of that is acceptable if they have given their best effort. Contact Coach

December 18, 2008- Knowing that we are about to enter the "open enrollment" period in our district, it occurs to me that there will be many families "shopping" for a high school. If playing water polo sounds like something you would like to do, then let me share with you the top 10 reasons for attending Sunny Hills High School.

December 5, 2008- I remember every group and every season that I’ve coached based on what our team has to go through, and the way they have gone through it. At the heart of every season is a struggle. Struggle being the adversity that every team must go through on its way to being a champion or at least being successful.

Each new season presents its own new adversities or struggles. And each new season presents its own variations of how these adversities are met and dealt with.

Certainly we remember the triumphs. The seasons when adversity was defeated and championships were won.

Less remembered by some, but I believe, equally important, are the seasons when the adversities have been too great to overcome. In those seasons when adversity has been too great to overcome, there are the reflections that must be admitted, and there is a coming to grips with reality and, we hope, a new dedication to set the right course for the next time.

Losing presents it’s own adversity. Losing to a league opponent presents more adversity. Losing to a league opponent by 20 goals……ouch!

A number of people have asked me if our 20 goal loss in league this year was the low water mark in my coaching career. "Coach is this the worst it has ever been?"

During the 1991 season we scored against Buena Park in a league match as time ran out, only to have one of the officials wave off the goal saying that it scored after time had run out. Without that goal we lost to Buena Park by a score of 9-8, and our 120 game consecutive Freeway League winning streak, a streak that had lasted for 21 years was over. That was the most difficult point in my coaching career. 120 straight games over 21 years! Done.

The sun did come up that next morning, but I wasn't completely sure it would.

When the game ends, most people in the stands, whether they be friend, family or foe go on about their daily routines oblivious to the struggle that the team goes through. It is only within the circle of the team, that this kind of adversity can be dealt with. The players have to find a way to carry on, that isn't easy.

Ironically, that team that lost to Buena Park 9-8 actually rallied that season, and with a little help from some other Freeway League teams, was able to win League anyway. They had to dig down deep and try to make something out of their adversity.

This season, immediately after losing to a league rival 20-0, we faced an opponent that defeated us in the first round of league. In our weakened emotional state needless to say, that team stood to benefit from our demoralizing loss.

Instead however, what transpired in that next game ranks way at the top of my fondest memories of my 25 years in this sport. Rather than giving up on what were fast fading chances of making the playoffs, our players drew a line in the sand and said essentially, “no more.” What transpired instead of a collective “giving up” was by far our best defensive effort of the season, as we held Fullerton and it’s 12 goal per game average to only two goals in a 5-2 victory. That win and our subsequent 8-7 victory over La Habra after we trailed 4-0 to open the game showed me a spirit, a resilience, a mental toughness that brought home a favorite quote of mine:

“The world is full of adversity, but it is also full of people who overcome adversity every day.”

Today, I am as proud of this group of players as I have ever been of any league championship winning players that I have coached. Their ability to rebound, pull together and rally is truly inspirational.