Growing into an athlete

Yesterday during training I had a some time to step back and
observe the athletes, not just my athletes but the football players and
wrestlers who were in the weight room at the same time. On my drive home from
workout, about twenty minutes, I reflected on what I saw with more focus on my
Volleyball players. (The drive home is my time to reflect on the just completed workout
and begin planning for the next session). I realized that what I saw unfold
before me yesterday was the growth process of an athlete. In my group there are
ninth graders just starting the journey to rising seniors who will be play at a
high level in college. They all workout, why don’t they end up in the same
place? Well we know that many are called and few are chosen – Right? Actually
wrong – many are called and few choose. Yes you read it correctly not many
choose to excel. It is clear to me after all these years there are three stages
in the growth process into becoming a real athlete. I saw it all unfold before my eyes yesterday.

First Stage – You do the workout. Nothing more, nothing less,
you get tired, you are satisfied. At this stage anything you do makes you
better, so you see some improvement. Many never move beyond this stage.

Second Stage – You realize you must do something more to
continue to improve so now you work the workout. You put more into it mentally
and physically. You realize just doing the workout is not enough, you must have good
technique and concentrate, you must push yourself. many stop here.

Third Stage – This is where the big dogs play – you have
train the workout. That is a whole new level of commitment and concentration.
You must prepare mentally and physically in advance for the workout. You have
be at your best everyday. In my experience this is a select group. They see the
results, the fruits of their labor because they consciously choose to train the
workout

In many respects the growth of a coach reflects the same
three growth stages as the athlete. I think we all choose where we want to be. To be the best
means being uncomfortable all the time. Making sacrifices and doing things no
one else is willing to do. Where do you choose to be? Chances are where you
choose to be will be reflected in the athletes you coach.