Not bad advice but extremely ironic when it comes out later that he is the one who needed that advice and not me.
That is frustrating when someone sees something but will not tell you, instead giving you clues to decipher. I see the same thing in coaches all the time. For instance, our TKD instructor is top notch, having trained two students who went to the Olympics. But for beginning students, I see him just telling them how to kick, maybe shows them a little, then let's them figure it out. For some, this works fine. For others, not so good. Especially me.
I think my kids and I have some of what is called “non-verbal learning disability.” I see similar traits in my kids and I. Once I have a mental picture of how to do something, then I’ve got it. I can turn it around in my head, I understand it backward and forward. But getting that picture is difficult. I am also very perceptive, so I can watch how my kids do their TKD kicks, or their tennis strokes. I can break it down into sections, including body positioning, leverage, lean, weight transfers, to show them how the movement should “feel.” Then I have them do it with their eyes close to incorporate the movement into their muscles. Then they have it.
I think many coaches cannot do this. So rather than learn to be a better coach, they throw their shortcomings onto the student to figure out. I see figuring out philosophy to be similar. Sometimes I don’t think the instructor knows the subject as well as s/he should, and has a hard time communicating. So instead, the default becomes “Look inside yourself.” Look for what, master? I could waste a few years searching my soul like you did, or you could save me the trouble, teach me what I need to know, so I can move to a higher level and surpass you. Mmmmm..... Maybe that’s what is all about..... just another way to stay "one up?"
