Being a good vet for your league

Let's face it. We were all there once. Each and every vet skater started as Fresh Meat. They looked up to someone else on the league and at some moment were immensely proud of the first time they made it through a practice without falling!

As a vet, you are a role model, you may even be a hero to one of those girls. They look up to you, admire you and may even envy you. I know, you didn't sign up for all that, you just wanted to skate and have a little fun. So, how do you go about being a good role model for your team?

Never forget for one minute that they are doing the best they can with the information and skill level they have. There are very few girls who make it to the scrimmage or bout eligible level that don't give it at least 100%. We all struggled in the beginning. Remember how hard your first scrimmage was? Keeping track of the inside line? How do you do that when 4 other girls are trying to hit you. And jammers....how are you supposed to keep track of them too? It's an instant case of A.D.D. Remember how frustrated you felt not being able to keep up? Hopefully you don't, but if you were like me and most every roller girl I have ever met, the first year was a year of self flagellation. I never walked away from a scrimmage night feeling like I was a help to anyone.

Now flash forward to your first bout. How many times did you get to play in each period? Once? Twice? And out of those few times, how effective did you think you were? Again...beating yourself up because you couldn't be better for your team, or your own ideals. But you were doing the best you could with all of your newly learned skills.

No one excels at new skills on the first try. And roller derby is certainly no exception. Try, try and try again and once you get something they will toss a whole new set of skills at you. You are not only trying to master new skills but wearing 8 wheels on your feet! It's hard.

Each time you take the track with your new team mates, it's your duty to make them feel welcome, wanted and guide them. Give them everything you ever wanted to receive when you were in shoes (or skates). They deserve your patience and praise. I would be inhuman if I expected you to never get frustrated with people when they maybe just don't seem to be getting it just as fast as you want. But being hard on them won't help.  Notice when they cross a landmark and let them know you noticed. If your league has lots of newbies, make an effort to try and work with or at least talk to each one at different practices. Ask them how they are doing. Even if you aren't a coach there is something you can share with them. Maybe they are really struggling with snow plows and you can offer that one trick that really helped you nail them once and for all.

Be attentive, supportive, a good and true friend and mentor. Lead by example and don't skimp on the praise.   

Now go play some roller derby!

Halle PAIN Yo