I work hard...

A fantastic, and extremely mature, perspective from one of the college athletes we mentor that many youth sports parents today need to hear.
 
“I work hard, and I put in the extra work but with a lot of players on our roster and the competition for playing time it isn’t always enough. In high school I could spend extra time and usually be better than others, at this level I’m realizing it isn’t always enough.”
 
That’s right, this kid works her BUTT off - puts in all of the extra reps, has put in the work to play every position on the field, and still isn’t starting. This is one of the hardest lessons for athletes to learn throughout their athletic experience. Working hard is the expectation at the college level (and should be at any level) but it doesn’t guarantee playing time.
 
At some point in most athletes' playing career they have to become more realistic, and that time is different for everyone. It might be competing for a high school starting spot,  looking at what college division they should be focused on, or what position their coach has them playing in travel ball.
 
I encourage parents to start having realistic conversations with our athletes about this, so they don’t have to face it on their own when it’s too late and start to feel like they aren't good enough. Why are these conversations important?
 
1) “She works too hard to not play x position” or “She’s worked too hard this off season to not get more playing time.” This is a dangerous game to play because eventually it turns into “I worked too hard on this project for my boss to pick my coworker’s idea over mine” or “I worked too hard to not deserve a promotion.”
 
2) Some athletes are just more naturally gifted at softball than others. I mean, my younger sister has more natural softball talent in her pinky finger than I had in my entire body. I had to work and scrape and claw for every small step to get better, whereas she just stepped on the field and did the dang thing.
 
3) Some athletes are just more physically gifted than others. A pitcher with crazy long fingers and big hands is going to (most likely) be able to spin the ball better than an athlete with small hands and short fingers. There is nothing that athlete can do about her physical limitations.
 
4) The athlete must know her support system supports her no matter what. Starting to have realistic conversations with athletes will open up other conversations about how they are not defined as a person by their athletic ability, playing time, etc. that they desperately need to hear!!