How to keep student-athletes focused in and out of season
LIBERTY, Mo. — Our student athletes are under more pressure now than ever before. Between the course loads full of AP and high-level classes, to coming off of Covid shutdowns, and then the pressure to compete at the highest levels, our young men and women have a lot going on. To be successful, our student-athletes need to know how to stay focused during the season and out of season as well. As coaches, we can help facilitate this during both times, but I know we all focus more during the season.
A saying I learned years ago and continue to use to this day with our softball team is, 鈥渓eave the junk in the trunk鈥�. What we mean by this is we want our practices to be focused and fun. If our student-athletes are dealing with the drama of the day they can鈥檛 be focused and they can鈥檛 have fun. So, for those couple of hours we are with them after school, we want any drama, thoughts of school work, or the ins and outs of the day to be shut in the trunk with their clothes and backpacks when they come to the field. It seems like a little thing, but if they can truly do this, they are able to focus on what we are doing and be all-in each and every day. Along with this, it鈥檚 critically important for us as coaches to build trusting and positive relationships with our players along with having an open-door policy. They have to be able to come talk to us about anything at any time so they can deal with issues they may have. Without this avenue, you may not get their full focus when you need it during practices and during competition.
Staying focused outside of our season is a bit tougher. First, we want our athletes to be involved in other sports or activities. It鈥檚 a balance to not take away from those opportunities while keeping them involved in what鈥檚 going on with our own. Coaches can help facilitate by staying involved with what our athletes are doing in the off-season. On the player side, they need to be sure to not only share that information, but they also need to be aware of what opportunities are being provided to them when they have time outside of their other events. The saying goes, 鈥渓ocation is everything.鈥� This holds true here as well. Our athletes and parents need to know where coach is located, what location do I look at for information (social media outlets), where are workouts and events located, etc鈥� In the end, staying focused in and out of season is a two-way street. The student athletes and parents need to be involved and all-in with the program, and the coach needs to provide the avenues that allow for this. Constant interaction between the players and coach are critical to build and maintain the level of relationship required for success in competition.
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