Monday, February 11, 2013

Give everything, expect nothing

This time of the season (pre-season) is always filled with positive anticipation for opening day and beyond.  We are now in our third week of our pre-season practices, and many teams have started playing games already.  Though our opener is in Florida in three weeks and our physical preparation is in full swing, it is important not to neglect the important role that the mental game plays in college baseball, as well as in all sports for all ages of athletes.  A positive mental game not only enhances a player's ability to execute and perform, it also provides a team with a culture that makes success something to share and take pride in.

Though college baseball teams vary in the number of players they roster, the number of players who are privileged enough to travel south and participate in early season games, and in the number of games they play during early season trips, players need to be aware of their value as a team member and their roles as teammates.

Every team has a set of goals that members of the team work toward during every practice, conditioning session, meeting, and even during the time spent outside of team related functions.  In addition, each athlete has his own goals that he tries to accomplish from the beginning to the end of the season.  A player having individual goals that are challenging and optimistic is something to be admired, and at the same time a coaching staff hopes that each player wants his accomplishments to contribute to the achievement of the team's goals.

There does not need to be conflict between individual goals and team goals.  As a matter of fact, the more success a team achieves on the field normally leads to the success of the each player on the team.  For this reason, it is always important that team members and the team as a whole have a purpose for everything that they do in preparation for a season.  It is also important for players to understand the philosophy that putting teammates ahead of themselves when it comes to attitude and effort will ultimately help them to achieve their own objectives.

When all team members can give everything they have and expect nothing in return, the players will not be disappointed in the results and the entire team will benefit.  When the team benefits, everybody wins.  When nobody is interested in receiving credit for the team's success, the rewards can be shared among the team's members.  Team success is always sweeter than keeping it to one's self.  

1 comment:

  1. Very good points. This is the attitude and philosophy I'm trying to cultivate at Sand Creek. Unfortunately, there are too many athletes today that would rather get their stats and don't care if the team loses or not.

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