DeAngelo Wiser
Players face many challenges throughout their careers,
but none are greater than the questions that race through their minds creating
doubt and anxiety. How can they deal with it all? Should they avoid them, push
them back, only to face them another day?
Often the questions listed below can keep a player
from achieving their dream and realizing how good they can become. There will
always be questions along the way. Some
remind players to get back on track, while others place doubt in their minds
over their dedication, ability, and determination.
Let’s take a look at some of the questions and advice
a coach could share
with their players:
WHY DO I
PLAY? After a tough practice,
preseason conditioning, injury or a heartbreaking loss, it’s natural to ask why
you play the game. Why subject yourself to such punishment and despair? Is it
worth it? Take a moment and visit those special memories you created with
teammates and the positive moments shared along the way. It only takes a few to
let you know why you play.
DO I HAVE
WHAT IT TAKES? As you progress from
high school to college you may find out quickly that your skill is matched or
below your teammates and opponents. Are you as good as you can be? Have you
honestly pushed yourself? Probably not yet, so just be determined to improve
every day. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. You know the answer, but
are you really willing?
IF NOT TODAY
WHEN? It’s easy to put things off
until tomorrow. Champions refuse to do that. They understand that today is a
gift for learning and improving. Tomorrow will have its own set of challenges
to face. Don’t let yourself off the hook today by putting something off that
should be worked on today. Look it in the eye, accomplish it and move on,
you’ll be glad you did.
HAVE EXCUSES
BECOME PART OF MY DAY? Have you ever
caught yourself telling a teammate or coach you just didn’t feel good when in
actuality there was nothing wrong? How about with an activity or skill that you
didn’t feel comfortable with? Putting yourself in new game situations on the
practice field that make you uncomfortable allows you to grow. Did you make an excuse
to avoid it? Once you get started on an excuse path it gets easier and easier.
Stay disciplined, avoid excuses and embrace tough situations.
CAN I LOOK
IN THE MIRROR? At the end of the day,
can you stand in front of the mirror and be proud of your efforts? It has
nothing to do with winning and losing. It has everything to do with you giving
an honest effort for yourself and your teammates. Only you can give a true
assessment of your dedication and determination. One person we can never fool
is ourselves.
WHAT IF I
MAKE A MISTAKE? Mistakes are part of
any game. By dwelling on this question and worrying about who’s watching, you
highlight it and make it bigger than it is. If it’s the only thing you think of
during a game, guess what? Mistakes will come your way. Great players make
mistakes, but what they see is the reward and what can be accomplished beyond the
mistakes. Focus on what you can control, your effort, not mistakes.
WHO CAN I
TURN TO? Without someone to share
your thoughts and feelings with, they suddenly consume every thought you have.
Find a teammate or friend who will take the time to listen. They may not have
any answers, and that’s okay. Just by sharing them you’ll be able to release
some of the added pressure you were feeling. Great friends never quickly judge
and understand you may not be seeking solutions.
CAN I MAKE AN
IMPACT ON THIS TEAM? You may have
another view of your role or what it could be on the team. When you’ve
experienced success easily in high school and now not so much in college, doubt
starts to build. Remember, you were recruited for a reason and mainly because
of your ability or potential. It’s time to live up to that potential. Change your mindset and work on your
game with passion and enthusiasm. Only you can decide whether the drive to
improve is worth the effort required. Your teammates are counting on you.
HOW CAN I
AVOID DOUBT/FEAR/ANXIETY? You may not
be able to totally, but you can certainly reduce it. Envision yourself in
shining moments where you make the perfect pass, big save, game winning goal,
etc. Draw from all the successes in your career. When your image and focus are more
on what you’ve accomplished and who and what you can become, doubt, fear and
anxiety become smaller and smaller. Eventually those thoughts and questions
will fade away.
HOW DO I GET
BACK THE PASSION I HAD AS A LITTLE KID? No
reason you can’t, but understand you’ve grown into a new person and player.
Everyone thinks back to those days when we ran around the field freely with a love
for the game. It brought us to where we are today. Keep those memories close
and remember you have new responsibilities for yourself and your teammates,
which can bring even greater rewards. Go ahead and embrace the game the way you
did back then. It’s up to you.
Questions allow you to grow. They are your conscience
asking, “Are you where you want to be, doing what you love, giving all you
have, and being the person and player you are capable of?” The challenge is to
not dwell on the questions, but to answer them and move past. You will always
be the only one who knows if you answered them truthfully. When you do, it
frees you up to play again with the passion you did as a kid.
I wish you the best!!
