Over the years I have coached many great young athletes. Some with amazing natural talent and others with plenty of motivation and drive. Whatever their ability or skill level, their age, their background including family talent, or the sport they are involved with, my advice to the athlete and the parents is you do not need to be a champion next week.
Unfortunately, a lot of athletes and parents want just that. They want to be the best now, not in a few years. So, they are always changing coaches, changing sports, changing programs, looking for the magic wand.
It doesn’t exist.
The only way to have any chance of being the best is to learn what is needed, but not just the required skills and techniques. Gain knowledge and understanding of the sport, event, or activity. I don’t just coach my athletes to perform at their best. I also teach them how to coach others. Learning all you can, focusing on your effort, and consistently training and working towards each goal is exactly what’s needed to achieve great results.
And most importantly, it needs to be fun.
If you don’t enjoy it, you will not stick with it.
