As the mother of two young athletes, I spend a considerable amount of time on the sidelines at girls sporting events. I love sports and I would much prefer playing than watching. But since I am relegated to the role of observer, here are a few things I’ve seen lately that might help a young player improve her game.
1. Don’t Sulk – You fumbled the play. So what? Wipe that ridiculous scowl off you face and chin up. Seriously. The more you sulk, the more people notice and it makes your screw up seem worse than it actually is. If you did your best to make the play and it didn’t happen, don’t fret. Forget what just happened and prepare yourself for the next round. If you worry about every little foul, you’ll miss the game-winning opportunities to score.
2. Learn From Mistakes – So you swing and miss. Crap happens. How you deal with it can mean the difference between winning and losing. Whenever you blow it, immediately pause your mental state of being and ask yourself what you did wrong. Usually you can spot your own mistake. Were you gripping the bat wrong? Did you step forward too soon? Didn’t get in front of the ball? Knowing what you did can help you fix it. If you don’t know what happened, ask your coach to help you spot the problem and work on correcting it in your next practice session.
3. Respect Your Coach – Coaching is a tough job. I know. I used to coach my kids’ soccer teams in the fall. As a coach, it was my job to offer encouragement but also to dish out constructive criticism when necessary. When your coach advises you to change your position or pulls you out of the game temporarily, apply a little trust. Coaches have experience with the game and they see the big picture. Don’t take it personally. Showing respect to the coach is a sign of maturity in an player. Mature players make better athletes.
4. Respect Your Teammates – This one goes along with respecting your coach, but is specifically for those times when your job is to hold down the bleachers. Sitting on the sidelines is no fun when you want in on the action, but your primary purpose is not to fill up space on the bench. Watch the game. Cheer for your teammates and learn from their mistakes and triumphs. Ask questions if you don’t understand the referee’s last call. Being a bench warmer is an incredible way to learn without the stress of performance.
5. Be Sincere – You’ve probably been “coached” to congratulate your teammates with a high five, a pat on the back, etc. when they make a good play. This is all well and good, but if you’re going to do it, be sincere. When you fake it, it shows. Your teammate can tell the difference and so can everyone else in the stands. Be real with your comments and your praise. You’re not doing anyone any favors by faking.
You’ve probably noticed that all of these tips have to do with attitude. No need to expand on that. Attitude is the difference between winners and losers. Which one are you?
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1 comment
Marci
Attitude is the difference between winners and losers. I have been there as a player and a coach. Practicing and perfecting the fundamentals of the game are essential, but they only take you so far. There comes a time when you have to learn the mental part of the game. That’s what separates the bench from the starters.