The Importance of Concentration in College Athletics
Every high school athlete dreams of getting that full ride to the university of their choice, but those who make it are few. While they might get offers from other colleges and universities, the key is to stay at the top of your game so that the scouts from that one school stand up and take notice. So how do you do that? Here are some tips to help you reach your goals, literally as well as figuratively, that is.
Live the Entire Year as Season
Where some athletes make a serious mistake is in thinking that once season is over, it’s time to relax. That just isn’t the case! A true athlete lives every day of the year as if it was the season for their sport and so they keep their bodies and minds in shape. From the foods they eat to reviewing plays from the previous season, their lives should keep focused on being the best they can be. Some students are simply more mature than others and if you look at all those, like Buster Posey of Lee County High School, who went on to amazing college and pro careers, you’ll see that every day was season for them.
Focus Sets the Men Apart from the Boys
So, how are athletes able to view every day as a day in season? Focus is what comes to mind. They stay focused on their goals and know that the only way to do that is to stay focused on themselves. It’s all about learning the art of concentration so that distractions don’t get in the way of those goals. For example, when other students are out there partying, a true athlete will know when to quit. Yes, they’ll be social, but they’ll always have that focus on what will or won’t get them where they want to be this time next year and the year after that.
Concentrate First on Yourself Even in Team Sports
Let’s step back a few years when Karl Malone and John Stockton of the Utah Jazz had this uncanny ability to know where the other was on the court at all times. No, they weren’t mind readers and they didn’t have some kind of psychic connection. Rather, they learned to concentrate and stay focused on where they were. Consequently, after years of playing together, they were able to adjust their focus to where they knew the other would be at any given moment, depending on the play. It’s all about concentration and this is just one example of how working together with a team starts with self.
To coin an old cliché, it is true that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and nothing could be worse in the sports world than a dull player. That’s why learning to concentrate needn’t be a boring ritual. Many pro athletes practice concentration in the digital gaming arena. Pro players play video poker online and although counting cards may be against house policy, they do learn to focus on what cards have been played to gauge what’s left out there to play. The bottom line? Don’t forget to exercise your mind as well as your body if you ever hope to hit the majors. That’s really what a winning mentality is all about.
