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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (1-24-22)

"Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana"

Just because you fail from time to time, don't consider yourself a failure.  High school athletes are going to fall short of their expectations on a regular basis.  But does that mean you are a failure?  Absolutely not!  

In fact, just the opposite is true.  If you learn from your mistakes and shortcomings, you will improve, and success will eventually follow.

Coaches tend to learn more about their teams from a tough loss than an easy win.  The same goes for the student-athlete.  Do you look back after a tough loss and realize where improvement can be made?  It may be difficult to swallow, but my bet is you won't make the same mistakes the second time around.

Michael Jordan once said "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.  I've lost almost 300 games.  26 times, I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed.  I've failed over and over and over again in my life.  And that is why I succeed."

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Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (1-17-22)

"Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana"

Last week, Georgia won college football's national title game in Indianapolis.  Georgia quarterback, Stetson Bennett, was named offensive MVP of the game.

It is not unusual for the quarterback to win such a prestigious honor, but what is unusual was Bennett's road to victory.

He walked on at his dream college, Georgia, and during his freshman season he saw no playing time.  Despite being a successful high school athlete, many thought he was too short to play quarterback. 

He transferred to Jones County Junior College for his sophomore year to work on his game. He then signed with Georgia again and served as a backup for the next three seasons.

This past year, Bennett earned the starting position after an injury sidelined starter JT Daniels.  Bennett was ready when the opportunity came!  He led the Bulldogs to the title game after an exceptional season.

There will always be naysayers and challenges to reaching your dreams.  Bennett proved so many people wrong.  After the title game he said about his victory, "I hope it gives someone a little hope.  Keep your mouth shut, work hard.  Life is tough. Work through it."

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (1-10-22)

"Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana"

How do you react after a tough loss?  Are you able to move on or does it bother you for a few days?

Overcoming a tough loss can be difficult and challenging.  It is easy to place blame on teammates or yourself, but don't do that.  Instead, learn from your loss and make mental notes where you could have done better.  

Move on.  It is ok to be disappointed, but don't let that stand in the way of preparing for your next game/match.  In most cases the next one will arrive quickly so concentrate on what is ahead of you instead of what just happened.  

Most teams will have a few losses during the season that are hard to explain or accept.  If you dwell on a loss, it will hinder the growth that is necessary to improve and get better.

Good teams hope to be playing their best at the end of the season, and in order to do so there is no looking back at tough losses.  You learn and move on!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week

"Promotion Education Based Athletics in Indiana"

A new year (2022) means a fresh start for student-athletes.  As you look back on last year, build on your successes and consider the areas in which you can focus on to improve.  

What will you do differently that will help you in the classroom?  What changes do you hope to make in your sport?  

Here are some suggestions that might help you in both:  Be a better listener; be a better teammate; be encouraging to those around you; be more of a leader (especially if you are an upperclassman) and be the hardest worker.

While these suggestions offer a few ideas, take some time and write down others you would like to accomplish.  

Last year, good or bad, is now in the rear-view mirror.  Focus on the things you control to propel you to a successful year ahead!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (12-13-21)

"Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana"

This past weekend, the Heisman Trophy, awarded to the best college football player in America, went to Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

During the award ceremony, Young spoke about being an underdog most of his career.  His favorite sport growing up was basketball, but his strong right arm convinced him to concentrate on football at his California high school.  

His father said he always encouraged Bryce to compete against quality athletes.  He went as far as to say "If you are the best player in the gym, you need to find another gym." 

What he was saying is find the best competition, push yourself, strive for improvement and never become complacent regardless of your sport or how good you think you are.

Most athletes will become better and smarter when they seek out more talented athletes to learn from and to compete against. Learning from your mistakes by competing against the best and seeing first hand what makes them successful will only better you in the long run and help prepare you for that next big challenge!

All content property of Billy Shepherd Sports