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Expectations of a College Athlete: An Everyday Battle
Being an athlete in today’s world can be challenging from the many pressures and expectations placed upon you but entering into college as an athlete has a whole new bundle of pressures and expectations associated with it. Sometimes the expectations athletes are held to can be realistic and other times they aren’t. Your expectations are set high from everyone around you; coaches, parents, friends and yourself. Make sure you keep your expectations where they are expected from yourself; and as long as you put in the effort where it is needed, you will succeed. Another halting factor to your athletic success when you enter into the college realm as an athlete are the many temptations coming at you just because you are an athlete, but also because you are human. Having the ideas to live a “normal” college life as an athlete won’t be feasible. The temptations to just go drink, party, do something stupid, take things because you are an athlete, get special privileges, and have tons of people throwing themselves at you; these are all things that will be awaiting you in college. These temptations can make or break your career, so making sure to resist the situations that are going to cause these awful outcomes should be avoided. Below I have listed 5 things that can be done to insure your success and help downplay the temptations and elevate the expectation dilemmas:
1. Have a good work ethic: If you maintain the work ethic that helped you succeed to get into college and be able to play sports, then you will continue to succeed. Make sure you make wise decisions when it comes to what is going on in classes. Staying on top of things will lead to a stress free season in sports and in the classroom
2. Always carry yourself in a good light: No matter what you are doing or where you are throughout the community, as an athlete you are representing your university at all times, so make sure when you are out somewhere that you don’t get too crazy, don’t try to start fights, and be respectful to everyone, even when it is hard.
3. Pick and choose your activities: You’re in college and you want to have fun! And you should but make sure you have fun in the right places and at the right activities. Make wise choices on what you are going to do and how it will affect you in training and class the next day. Being an athlete comes with a vigorous schedule so sometimes to maintain sanity it is good to take a night off and just let your body relax; so choosing to stay home to catch up sleep is sometimes a better decision than to go out to a ragger with all your buddies
4. Don’t give in to temptations: When you have tons of things and people being thrown at you sometimes it’s hard to say no and you don’t always have to! Just make sure you are following the rules and the standards you have set for yourself, along with those important people around you and what they have set for you. For example if your coach has placed a dry season flag on the team, then it probably wouldn’t be wise to go out and drink just because someone has offered free drinks all night, just for you. If you remember what you are there for and the people that mean a lot to you and what they think, it will be harder to give in to the wrong temptations.
5. Use your mind: Simply think before you do. Don’t make rash decisions they will become negative effects. Rear away from those people who are going to try and peer pressure you into doing something you don’t want to and don’t let others make decisions for you. If you use your head before you attempt to do something you will be more balanced on the good and bad decisions.
I hope these few tips are vital and helpful when entering college athletics and college in general. It is simple, just being smart about your life and actions will only lead to success as you travel through your college years. Make sure your decisions are your own and that you are always giving full effort for the two main reasons you made it there: school and sport.
4 Attributes Elite Athletes Possess
It is apparent that there are some attributes that differentiate the world’s best athletes from everyone else. Having a great work ethic, unmatched mental toughness, a burning desire to win, and being a perfectionist are all keys in becoming an elite athlete. In this article, I will discuss these elements and give some examples of athletes who possess them.
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Attribute #1: Work Ethic
You must be willing to put in the hard work that is necessary to get yourself to the highest level of play possible. If you practice your game as much as you possibly can, you will have no regrets and will set yourself up for success. You must have the mindset that there are others out there who are working harder than you at all times. This can really help to motivate you. If you don’t have the desire to put in the hard work that is necessary to reaching the top of your sport, you never will reach the top. One professional athlete who perfectly exemplifies how much having a great work ethic pays off is Ray Lewis, linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. When he began college at the University of Miami, he wasn’t even mentioned on the team’s media guide. This really got to him, but he used it as motivation to work as hard as he possibly could to become great. From that point on, he told himself that he was going to be the best player in Miami football history. While there have been tons of great players at Miami, he definitely may have achieved his goal.
Attribute #2: Mental Toughness
As an athlete you cannot undervalue the importance of having a mental edge over your competition. Consider Tiger Woods for example. I know that he hasn’t been his old self in the past couple of years here, but back in the days where he was winning seemingly every tournament, it was greatly due to his mental edge over everyone else. He couldn’t be shaken, no matter how much pressure was put on him. He had the mentality that he was better than everyone else, and that is often necessary in succeeding as an athlete. You have to have that confidence that nobody is going to take you down. You almost want to be cocky, because if your opponents see that vibe you are putting off, they will crumble. Kobe Bryant is another example of an athlete who holds a mental edge over his opponents. Every game he brings a swagger that nobody else in the NBA can rival. Maybe that’s why he once scored 81 points in a game.
Attribute #3: Desire to Win
As an athlete and a competitor you must have that desire to win, no matter what. There is no reason for you to ever aim less than the number one spot. You will be doing yourself a huge disservice if you settle for anything less. We play sports to have fun, yes, but nobody ever reached the top level of their sport settling for second place. Michael Jordan perfectly exemplifies an athlete who would never settle for anything less than winning. He absolutely despised losing, and because he hated it so much, it drove him to be a winner. He went from winning the National Championship at the University of North Carolina to winning six NBA Championships.
Attribute #4: Be a Perfectionist
You must have the mindset of perfection to become elite. This means spending countless hours practicing and doing your best to perfect all aspects of your game. For basketball players, take 500 free throws and jump shots every day. Soccer players, work on your juggling and ball skills for hours each day. Baseball players, hit as many balls as you possibly can. And make sure that you are giving 100 percent focus while practicing your skills. This will fine-tune your game and leave you with no regrets. One premier athlete that is particularly known for his perfectionist mindset is Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. He is always the first one in the team’s facilities before practice and the last one to leave. He critiques himself on everything he does on the field and in practice, which enables him to consistently improve. He is also one of the most cerebral athletes we have ever seen. He knows his game so well that he can make perfect last-second pre-snap adjustments necessary to dissect the defense. Legendary UCLA Bruins basketball coach John Wooden once said, “Make each day your masterpiece.” That is exactly what Peyton Manning does.
What Coaches Want: Attributes They Look for When Recruiting
Several athletes assume that coaches are solely focused on the talent of an individual when recruiting players, this is not completely true. While it is easy to get caught up in the sheer talent and abilities of today’s athletes. On any given day one can see something amazing accomplished in the world of sports only to see it out-done the next. Talent has become exponentially great when it comes to recruitment, there’s no doubt about that, but to say this is all that matters, is well, incorrect. Talent is a minor attribute in the wide array of characteristics personnel and coaches look for when recruiting an individual. I have provided below a list of ten attributes that are said to be some of the characteristics coaches look at during the process of recruiting an athlete.
- CHARACTER: Athletes that can represent their team in admire able way, along with the university and the coaches themselves. Also a prospect that is a well-rounded individual, someone who is involved and well known throughout their different communities. Upstanding persons that are well composed, in all situations.
- ABILITY: It is obvious that this would be one of the attributes on the list. Even though it is not the only factor in determining if an athlete is going to be recruited, it is said to be one that coaches look at, they want to bring those people who are going to help lead the team to championships and be national contestants. They want athletes that are exceptionally talented now or have the potential to be exceptionally talented with a little more practice and determination.
- ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS: Athletes that excel academically are important so coaches won’t have to keep checking up on them and their studies. Also someone who performs well in the classroom and is genuinely concerned about their grades. A student who will help boost the team GPA and the team study ethic, with the initiative that what one person does will ignite the flame in another.
- WORK ETHIC: Athletes that don’t get defeated easily and will keep working had no matter what and who don’t give up after one little bump in the road. Someone who is going to push through and persevere no matter what the situations or outcomes.
- PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES [SIZE]: This attribute varies depending on the sport, but sports that analyze size for specific positions might use this in there process of selection. If there is a size requirement for positions coaches may tend to look for athletes that fit the size for the positions or people that have the capability of meeting the size requirement with little adjustment.
- STRENGTHS: When strengths are spoken of in this context, it is meant to be the dominate features that make up your self. Someone who knows who they are and has specific talents and abilities that are exceptionally dominate. Exhibiting strengths all around can be a plus for some coaches; Along with if you aren’t afraid to talk about your strengths, “tooting your own horn”, shows the pride you have in yourself. Possessing many strengths can be helpful in the ways of recruiting.
- RELIABILITY: Looking for people that are reliable and who are going to do what they are supposed to. Someone how is going to show up on time, everyday, where they need to be. Being punctual is essential in all aspects of life and for some coaches it can be very vital.
- COACH ABILITY: This attribute is quite obvious; it is inferred that coaches tend to want someone who wants to be coached. They don’t want someone who questions what they do and insists on doing something else. A coach has a program in which they have developed an elite team; they want someone willing to fit into that mix. This is why looking at different universities and the athletic department is vital to your selection process.
- LEADERSHIP: The ability to stand up and lead teammates in achieving success. Not everyone has to be the captain or try to be that main leader on the team; the meaning of leadership is that you have those skills to get your team involved, motivated, uplifted, and focused. Having leadership abilities is a great skill to possess and some college coaches look for it as a key in the selection process.
- INTEREST: A coach knowing that you are interested in their program and university is said to be substantial to them when selecting prospects. This is good reason why you should contact the coaching staff at the schools you are interested in.
It is not guaranteed that these will be the only things a coach will look at or something that they will a hundred percent consider because each coach approaches recruiting differently. Along with what they look for in an athlete varies depending for one to another. This list is just a basic guideline of what a coach may consider when recruiting players. Doing these things or capturing these attributes should only enhance your opportunities of a coach recruiting you.
References:
http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/category/college-recruiting-service/coaches-corner/
http://blog.captainu.com/2009/2/16/recruiting-the-college-athlete-4-traits-college-coaches-look-for
Important Qualities to Look for in a Sports Camp
No matter what sport is your passion, attending camps for your sport is extremely beneficial. Improving your game, competing with peers and showcasing your talents in front of college coaches and scouts are just a few reasons why attending camps will aid in your development as a player. In this article, I am going to explain to you some of the important qualities to look for when searching for a camp.
Quality #1: Competition
The first thing that an athlete should look for in a camp should be a high level of competition between you and the other participants in the camp. You don’t want to attend a camp that has all sorts of players at different skill levels ranging from early beginner to very experienced. You want to make sure you are surrounding yourself with players that are at a fairly similar level to you in skillset, motivation, and intensity. Attending a camp with inferior players can actually make you play down to their level, which can be detrimental to your development as a player. On the other hand, playing with players that are actually a little bit ahead of you in their development can be a huge benefit.
Quality #2: Quality Coaches/Instructors
Attending a camp that has experienced coaches or instructors that actually know what they’re doing is incredibly important. If you want to go to a camp just for fun, it doesn’t really matter if the instructors are experienced as long as you have a good time. But if you’re really trying to improve your game, it is imperative that the instructors are of quality. They should also instill a level of intensity in you and the camp, and also motivate its participants on a daily basis. Really being pushed is crucial for athletic development and improving one’s skillset, so try to find a camp that has instructors who will push you to the max. Camps are meant to be fun, and just because the instructors are intense and really push you to excel doesn’t mean that you cannot have any fun. In my experiences in sports camps, it is exponentially more fun to be around intense instructors who motivate you. These types of instructors will help you improve your game, and once you see that happening, you realize that that is exactly why you are attending the camp.
Quality #3: Visibility
If you are an athlete who has a goal of playing at the college level, it is very important that you find a camp in which you will be able to showcase your talents to a highly prestigious group of college coaches and scouts. Many camps will explicitly state that there will be coaches or scouts at the facilities of the camp to observe the camp’s participants. If you can find a camp that states this in its description, I recommend that you do so. This will really help propel you to the next level. It is almost impossible to be recognized at a camp with instructors who have no ties to the college levels, so it is crucial to give yourself the chance to shine in front of prestigious coaches or scouts. Now, these types of camps are few and far between, but if you can find one that fits you, there is no doubt that you should sign up for it. Yes, they may be a little bit more expensive than you desire, but it really can be one of the best investments you make in your career as an athlete.
Quality #4: Location and Duration
The location and the duration of the camp are necessary to take into consideration as well. If you live on the East coast and are researching camps to attend on the West coast, it will be a burden for you to attend that camp if money is a factor. Traveling is a huge expense, and in almost all cases, unnecessary. Yes, finding quality camps is not an easy task and they are not all over the place, but there should be one or two that you can find that is within your region. If you take the time to research and ask your coaches which camps are at a location near you, you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that is appropriate for you. You should also find a camp that lasts for as long as you desire. If you are fully dedicated to your game and improving your skillset, a camp that runs for several weeks or even months may suit you best. If you just want to have a good time for a couple of weeks, finding a camp that suits that is clearly best.
Quality #5: Physical Training
One final aspect of sports camps that is extremely important and often overlooked is the physical training within the camp. It is necessary that a camp focuses on improving your skills as a player, but it is also very important that within the camp there is a strong emphasis placed on physical conditioning. Many camps will dedicate a significant amount of time to cardiovascular and weight training activities. This is important because becoming more fit and conditioned as an athlete will not only help you excel to a higher level, but can also be key in preventing injuries in the future. As you get older, injuries get more serious and it takes your body longer to recover from them. But if there is a real focus placed specifically on training your body, you can prevent these injuries altogether.
Attending sports camps is exciting, fun and gives you an incredible opportunity to improve your skillset as a player. If you take into consideration some of the aspects of sports camps that I have listed, I promise you will be on your way to finding a quality sports camp and, in turn, improve the quality of your game.
Reference
http://www.sportscampconnection.com/
How to Pick a College that is Right for You
As an athlete transitioning from the high school level to the college level you want to pick a school that best suits your needs. When looking at schools you want to make sure they have the type of athletic program in which you want to develop, if they have the major you want to explore, the right campus activities you want to indulge in and somewhere that you feel is the overall right fit for you. Although scholarships are a key factor in selecting schools for most athletes, it is not the best idea to go somewhere just for the money. It is very important to put in the research on different schools before you make that final decision, so I am going to supply a few tips that might be helpful in assistingyou in the selection process.
All colleges have different types of athletic programs. For your individual sport the techniques are going to vary as well. You want to find a place that suits your training methods and offers the most of what you need. The intensity level grows greatly in your transition from one level to the next,so a program that accumulates a training system that works great with you is vital to your athletic success. Starting over with a completely re vamped program opposite of what you are accustomed to could significantly hinder your achievements in your first year.Also you want to observe what the athletics program has to offer you on and off the field. Having an athletic program that is involved and truly cares about your academic achievements is necessary and imperative to your success. Such things as having tutors, advisors, student services and study hall just for athletes; a specific place that fits around your busy schedule to help better your experience and time at college. Some of the top athletic programs offer more benefits and better training facilities than some of the other schools you may have offers to, so make sure you look thoroughly at your opportunities and chances for college athletics and success!
Another colossal decision is the academic realm of the school; some universitiesare more specialized in particular majors then others. You should do research to see if your field of study is accredited at the school you want to attend.Attending a school that is more specialized in the major you wish to study opens up more options for your future. If you are a student that doesn’t know which direction that you want to go in school yet, you should choose a school that has a wide variety of majors. A school that offers just a few majors will restrict your options of potential routes you can take in life. So, looking at what majors a school offerscan be essential in the process of selecting a university.
Although being an athlete is already a huge commitment, it is important to get immersed in campus activities as well. You want to look at schools and see what they offer in form of events and organizations on the campus. Sometimes you can find campuses that are very student body oriented and have events throughout the year along with a diverse selection of intriguing organizations you could get involved in. If you are interested in getting involved, you should look at the programs the campus offers and what campuses offer such opportunities. Also you should look at how unified the campus is and what fun events they hold annually that will enhance your college experience, because getting involved outside of the athletic department opens up bountiful options that can lead to future success.
I also suggest before committing to a college that you should go to the campus one day by yourself and walk around. See if that’s the place for you and if you feel comfortable there. See who the people are and how they interact with you. Look at the campus and see if this is the place you have pictured in your head when you were little. When you explore and walk around the campus you should get that gut feeling; the one that will let you know this is the place that is meant for you. Being on a campus that you don’t feel comfortable with can be terrifying and very damaging to your academics and athletics.
As an athlete, I made the mistake of attending my particular school for the money. I didn’t go through the steps above or see if the university met my personal criteria. My first semester of college was not anything like I imagined it was going to be, and everyday when I went back to my dorm, I was miserable. I cannot stress enough that you should take the time to research the place you are going to spend the next four years of your life. No matter who you are there is always that place that isn’t going to be for you and the place that’s going to fit you like a glove. After a dreadful first semester, a transfer and a walk on slot, I found that place and I have no doubt had an amazing college and athletic experience.However I wish someone had advised me to examine this list above and make sure I did my research before I went to college.
References:
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/prepare/athletes/college
http://www.ncaastudent.org/NCAA_Guide.pdf
