10 QUESTIONS PLAYERS MUST ADDRESS

 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!!