The year after the rookie year

[JaneYoung]

I've been watching this thread with interest. It is a good one. One suggestion that I would make, based on talking with and working with 2nd year teams, is that a little bit of knowledge and experience can be a blessing or a curse. Make sure that the 2nd year approach/attitude is not a curse. By that I mean, because a team thinks they have been through one season of competition, they may decide that they know what they're doing and refuse help, input, suggestions, advice, or the sharing of wisdom and experience. Beware that pitfall - it can slow the progress of learning and developing as a team. Remain open to asking for help and advice like you are doing now. Remain open to the fact that the team has yet to go full cycle. I often wonder if the 2nd (and sometimes 3rd) years are as hard, if not harder, than the rookie year - because enough reality has set in that the team knows there will be challenges during the season. How they prepare for the challenges - known and unknown - will help define their season and the team's approach/personality.

Be patient with yourselves and be supportive of yourselves as individual members and as a team. Find the fun and know that you have many friends and teams that support you in your efforts.

Thanks for this thread,
Jane