You have dreamed about it most of your young life. The first time you picked up a basketball, held a football, swung a bat, or saw your favorite athlete in action, you knew what you wanted! To go all the way! For some, all the way means playing at the professional level, or even making it to the Olympics! Others, it simply means playing at the college level, or just having a stellar high school career! What ever your dream is, the question must be asked… “Are you ready for the commitment?”

Keep in mind, there are two types of commitments: the first is to get there, the second is to stay! Your experience and level of commitment will look different, depending on where you are at, but the heart of commitment stays the same! Today, we look at the commitment it takes to get there.

Committed To Your Education

You are required to meet a certain grade point average (GPA) to play, and maintain eligibility to play, at the high school level. Because of this, you have to be committed to putting in the time to study, do your homework, read, and study again.

Committed To Training/Skill Development

You must be committed to training and skill development. It will look different when you are in season, as opposed to when you are not. But, whether in season or out, you should be training and developing your skills.

Committed To Time Management

Time management is crucial! Between studying, training, practices, travel, etc., your free time is limited!

Committed To Self-Care

The importance of rest, physical health, and mental health cannot be stressed enough. You are no good to yourself, your team, or your dream if you do not take care of yourself.

Committed To Balance

There are many demands placed on student athletes. So, it is important to find a balance between your education, your sport, your personal well-being, and lastly, your social life! Like it or not, if you want to play at the next level, you must make sacrifices, and the first to be sacrificed is your social life. There is no if, ands, or buts about it! 

Becoming a high school and college athlete, and playing your sport beyond college, is no easy feat. The journey can be difficult and time-consuming, and there are a lot of sacrifices along the way, but it is worth it! The friends that you make, the universal skills that you develop, important lessons that you learn, and more, are so well worth it! But, the question remains… are you ready for the commitment?