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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (10-26-2020)

"Promoting education based athletics in Indiana"

Have you ever taken a step back and thought about how your coaches have differed over the years since you first started playing sports?

When you were playing youth sports you were likely coached by your parents or one of your teammate’s parents.

In junior high you had the opportunity to try out for a team and for the first time you were coached by someone who was hired by the school.

In high school you are being coached by someone who made a career decision to be in education, and the sport they are coaching is their love and passion. Winning becomes more important and there is more attention paid to off-season workouts and practices.

As a high school student-athlete it’s your responsibility to adjust to the coach and the system he/she runs. While it is still supposed to be fun, you have a greater responsibility to listen, learn, and perform.

By now you know the personality of your coach and his/her staff. It’s in your best interest to do the things that please and impress those people to give you your best chance of getting playing time or starting positions!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (10-19-2020)

"Promoting education based athletics in Indiana"

How do you feel when you receive encouragement or a compliment from a teacher, coach, or administrator? Does it help build your self-esteem or make your day?

Have you ever thought about how a few kind words can mean the world to someone who is feeling down or under appreciated? When is the last time you complimented one of your classmates or teammates?

During these times of Covid and social distancing, it is harder to build the same camaraderie and spirit. You can do your part by supporting others with a reassuring comment or compliment.

Classrooms are spread out and locker rooms don't have the same feeling of togetherness that they have had in the past. But making things fun and enjoyable can still be accomplished.

It's been said that action speaks louder than words, but during the times we are in now those positive words towards others will help make someone's day better than they ever expected!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (10-12-2020)

"Promoting education based athletics in Indiana"

Do student-athletes put too much emphasis on winning? In all sports, athletes will lose their last game of the season unless they are state champs or individual champs, a small minority.

There's a big difference between winning and succeeding. You don't have to win every game or match to be successful. Very few teams or individuals go through an entire season without a few losses.

Tom Lehman, a longtime PGA golfer, only won a total of five times on that tour over a long career, but he was considered very successful because of the way he carried himself and his work ethic.  Lehman's peers looked at him as a winner because of his character and positive interaction with those on the PGA Tour. 

Regardless of your season's record, you can succeed in your sport and school by your attitude, effort and teamwork. Years from now, that is how you will be remembered!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (10-5-2020)

"Promoting education based athletics in Indiana"

Athletes are sometimes impatient when it comes to the results they expect from their individual performance. Whether in a team sport or an individual sport, self improvement is a very valuable component and happens over a period of time, not overnight.

Patience is so important, especially for the athlete who is still growing and maturing. And let's face it, most high school athletes won't reach their peak until their junior or senior year, if not later.

We are in an era of instant gratification. If athletes expect that same type of gratification in their sport, they aren't being realistic. It takes time, effort and practice over a period of years to reach your full potential.

In the meantime, know that working hard and finding areas where you can improve will put you on the right path to success. Every game and performance in your younger years will only help you as you mature in your later years!

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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (9-28-2020)

"Promoting education based athletics in Indiana"

How often do you talk with your coach? Are you a good communicator? Do you have a relationship with the coach? Are you comfortable having a truthful conversation?

I have known parents of high school athletes who have called their kid's coach when they wanted to complain about lack of playing time or how their kid is being handled by the coach.

Coaches don't want to hear from parents. They would much rather hear from their athletes if there is a problem or issue. 

It is rare that a high school athlete doesn't go through a situation where they don't have a heart to heart conversation with a coach. 

Prepare now by talking with your coach on a regular basis and developing a good rapport. That way you will have a relationship built when you have a concern and need to address it!

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