Dear Rookie

Utah Falconz Rookies, wearing blank practice jerseys, watching form and technique from the returning Falconz athletes.

by BREANN HILLHOUSE

Hey there, Rookies.

We see you, ya know. It’s true, we’re watching you in the most non-creepiest way possible. Really, we are sizing you up and checking out what you can do.

To be honest you’re sporting a little bit of the wide-eyed confusion look, and that’s okay; we were all rookies at one point. In fact, it makes us feel better to see you flounder just a little bit because, and this is just between us gals, we did the same thing when we started out.

Do you feel like you’re learning a new language? That would be because you are and none of it is comprehensive. All the lingo, plays, abbreviations, routes and position responsibilities are pretty overwhelming, right? Oh, and we haven’t even gotten to audibles yet, so you have that to look forward to. But don’t you sweat your pretty little head, they are all going to click for you, at least if you’re putting in the work.

Do you find the coaches intimidating? You shouldn’t, they’re all great people who are here to help you learn. They know you’re starting out and if they seem gruff it’s ‘cause they want to push you to succeed. Except…Coach Rick is probably going to remain intimidating to you. I would bet that he likes it that way. Has he gotten in your face and made you forget how to use your words yet? Well, brace yourself, Newbie, it’s probably coming. I mean, your best bet would be to not mess up, but you’re going to mess up and he’s going to catch it and then he’ll make sure you understand that he caught it. The not-so-secret to that situation is to own your mistake, say “yes, coach” and then do it right the next time. Or at least try.

Did you know that we want to see you successful just as much as the coaches do? Without a doubt, we do. Your triumphs are ours and vice versa because we are a team in this. You can talk to us if you’re not quite sure what you should be doing. I can’t guarantee that we will always have the answers on account of some of us not studying the playbook in the off-season but then we will find the answers together, whaddaya say? You know how they say there are no stupid questions? Well, that’s not true, there are tons of stupid questions. Loads and loads of them. We’re just not going to let it show on our faces when you ask one, we’ll answer it without letting on. That’s a good deal, amiright?

The main point is that we see you working hard and asking questions. We can see you pushing yourself and striving to improve and it’s fantastic. We see the passion you have for the game and it’s awesome considering it matches ours. We don’t need no scrubs because a scrub is a player that can’t get no love from me. So, keep up the hard work and we’re going to get along just fine.

Maybe you didn’t know already, rookie, but you just joined a family. The Utah Falconz are like the most adorable gang in that if someone messes with one of us they deal with the whole flock. You get your sisters’ backs, we’ll get yours and that’s how it works.

Perhaps you have played for other teams before, but we’re different. Stick around and you’ll see what I mean. Welcome to the Falconz, you’re going to love it here.

 Sincerely, Falconz Veterans