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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (2-14-22)

"Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana"

While watching the Winter Olympics this past week, I couldn't help but notice that most of these athletes, even though they did not win a gold medal (or any medal at all), celebrated the accomplishment they had achieved to be called an Olympic athlete.  Most compete knowing they have no chance to medal, yet they enjoy every minute of the experience and give their all.  

How do you measure success as a student-athlete?  In team sports, maybe your team advances farther in tournament play than you ever anticipated.  Maybe success is playing a very good team close.  

In individual sports, success might be bettering your personal times or scores.  Maybe it's competing against a great opponent and coming up just short.

Success isn't always about wins.  Enjoy the moment when you reach a personal best, high score, big victory, and in some cases, close defeats.  Just know you worked your hardest and be proud of the outcome!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (2-7-22)

"Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana"

With Super Bowl LVI approaching this coming weekend, it is always fun to reflect on the past games, the great players, and the human-interest stories that will be told during the live broadcast.

A former Super Bowl MVP (and Hall of Famer) from the past, wide receiver Jerry Rice, was one of the all-time greats during his 21-year NFL career.  I still remember a quote from him that applies to the modern-day athlete.

"Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't."  Think about that for a minute.

Are you putting in the effort in practice and conditioning because you have to or because you are driven to become better?  What do you want to accomplish?  What are you willing to do and sacrifice to accomplish your dreams and goals?

When you need additional motivation, and you find yourself working out because you have to (required by coaches) and not because you really want to, remember this quote and know that those who are willing to do more, better their chances of success!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (1-31-22)

"Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana"

This past weekend, tennis great Rafael Nadal rallied to win the Australian Open, claiming his record setting 21st Grand Slam title. Here's the kicker--the match lasted a record setting 5 hours, 24 minutes (twice the average time for a match).  Nadal stated after the match that he "just wanted to keep believing until the end," even though he lost the first two sets of the five-set final.

Most sports are played with a clock and a time limit.  Not tennis.

Just imagine the mental and physical condition you must be in to rally and come back from a 2-set deficit and win such a lengthy hard fought tennis match.  

When your body is exhausted, your mental focus should be on winning one point or one possession at a time.  Nadal didn't let the heat, his exhaustion or the fact he was nearly defeated stop him. That takes years and years of experience and training.  He didn't give up.  He kept playing his best and winning points.

Next time you feel tired, overwhelmed, or defeated, you must mentally focus on the next play and nothing else.  Mental toughness doesn't happen overnight, it takes time and experience.  You may hear athletes described as "mentally tough" and like Nadal they dig deep to perform at their best, even when it appears the game or match is over.

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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."

All content property of Billy Shepherd Sports