#guard instructor problems

So, my BIGGEST pet peeve when it comes to coaching is when kids minimize the impact that missing rehearsal (or part of rehearsal) will have.

Believe me, I do get the fact that stuff comes up. But here’s the thing: you not being there is a PROBLEM.

In some cases, yes, the problem of you being there may be bigger than the problem of you being absent. If you’ve got a contagious flu bug, please don’t bring it and share it. But understand that it’s still a problem that you’re not there. If you absolutely MUST study for a midterm because you didn’t manage your time well and you won’t be able to spin if you fail, it’s obviously preferable that you pass the midterm and continue to be able to spin. BUT UNDERSTAND THAT IT’S STILL A PROBLEM THAT YOU’RE NOT THERE. (And please, learn from the experience so it never happens again - learn to manage your time so you’re not cramming the night before the midterm).

The absence of one person sets everyone else behind. No matter what, you will have to be taught what you miss and that delays learning other things. Your hole in the drill throws off those around you and when you return and are reinserted into the drill, your presence may cause issues that couldn’t be seen before because you weren’t there. Your designer can’t see what effect is happening because there’s a hole. Your absence doesn’t just affect what you know - it affects EVERYONE involved - staff and students alike.

If you MUST miss a rehearsal/part of a rehearsal, you should NEVER say “It’s just one rehearsal” or “It’s just one hour,” because it’s more than that. It affects every facet of the show for the rest of the season. It throws off plans that have been in place from before the season began. It can negate hours of work on the staff’s part.

If you MUST miss a rehearsal/part of a rehearsal, understand that it’s a problem and that there will be consequences. If there are consequences laid out by your team’s handbook/rules/bylaws (not allowed to perform, solos/features given to others, etc.), accept them gracefully. Don’t get defensive, because you should have known these consequences were a thing already. 

This. Is. RIDICULOUS. All the schools in the area are closed - some for records days, but most because it's going to be super cold tomorrow. Which means the rehearsal we moved to tomorrow (because the kids had exams earlier in the week) won't happen. This is what happens when I try to be accommodating.

In spite of the schools being closed, the theater kids are apparently using the school starting at noon, which just makes me even angrier. I get that theater is a HUGE deal at this school, but seriously. Nobody else can use the school because it's a "cold day," but they can?

Don't mind me - I'm just worried - we lose tomorrow, plus Saturday's rehearsal because we can't get space. My designer won't be there for one of next week's rehearsals, I won't for the other, and then it's THE FIRST COMPETITION.