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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (3-15-21)

“Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana”

I watched one of my grandsons play last weekend in a youth basketball game.  I couldn’t help but notice how he and his teammates paid close attention to their coach and what he was saying to them during timeouts.  All eyes were on the coach.

Whether in the classroom or on the court/field, there is a lot to be said for paying attention to the teacher or coach in charge.  Being a good listener is a great trait to possess and will serve you well throughout your life.

Whether it is during a timeout in football, in the dugout between innings in baseball or softball, or receiving instruction from your coach in a tennis or golf match-your coach is trying to give you guidance, instruction and/or inspiration. 

Making eye contact and listening will assure your coach that you are engaged with his/her instructions and coaching.  It will go a long way in developing a trusting relationship!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (3-8-21)

“Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana”

In all sports, playing time is earned, not given.  In team sports the number one objective is to be on the winning team. Yes, individual performances are important, but the bottom line is the final score is the most important thing.

Not all individuals will receive equal playing time or equal opportunities. That is why athletes work so hard in the off-season—to improve their skills which will enhance playing time.

So many times athletes in team sports get their priorities wrong. Never put yourself before the team. To earn playing time, you must do the things that fit into the team concept. You must lock out comments and suggestions from parents and friends. 

Remember, it is not what you want and expect that is important.  It is what the coach wants and expects that matters the most.

In the end, playing time will be determined by how you fit your individual skills within the framework of what your coach is trying to achieve. Conquer that and you will receive plenty of playing time!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (3-1-21)

“Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana”

We have all heard of numerous, positive stories about being a good teammate.  It is something most athletes concentrate on during their sports season and work on throughout their high school careers. 

Can you be a good teammate even if you aren’t necessarily good friends?  Throughout your life you will find yourself in situations where you are working with others who you may not consider a friend, but you are co-workers, schoolmates, or working on a project together that you need to accomplish.

It is easy to be a supportive teammate to your friends—but make sure you are equally supportive of those individuals who are on your team that you may not know as well, may not run around with, may not have as many common interests—but are equally important to the success of your team. 

When you can say you are a good teammate to all, you will have mastered an important trait for success throughout your life!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (2-22-21)

“Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana”

While advancing to the semi-finals of the Women’s Australian Open, Jessica Pegula beat a top-10 ranked player for the first time in her ten year professional career. Pegula’s father owns the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and she credited a shift in her mentality and her inspiration from watching Bill’s quarterback Josh Allen among the driving forces that have allowed her to reach new heights in her career.

Pegula stated that watching Allen grow through tough times opened her eyes. She was quoted saying “I like this kid (Allen). I love his competitive spirit. He is a gamer. He just wanted to win and that is something you love to see. It is cool watching them (Buffalo) and channeling that energy back into what I am doing. “

Who/what drives and inspires you?  Find something or someone that fuels your desire.  Maybe it is a player, maybe it is a coach, maybe it is someone outside your sport. Whatever it is—use that inspiration when you are uncertain or doubting yourself and put it to use!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (2-15-21)

“Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana”

Do you have trouble putting a bad game or sub par performance behind you?  It’s easy to move on after good games because you are usually in a better frame of mind.

So how can you bury the negative thoughts when you know you could have played better?  How can you move on to the next game?

You cannot dwell on mistakes you have made and expect to improve.

Remember-games are just an extension of your practices and preparation. You will find that over time the carry over from practice to games will improve and start to show as the season goes on.

While you may have played a game you were not pleased with, you can always find something that you did well. Each game is a building block.

Athletes who focus on the rear view mirror instead of looking ahead to their next game may never reach their potential!

All content property of Billy Shepherd Sports