What to Do When You Don’t Quite Make the Cut…
Did your expectations take a backseat? Always seek a higher purpose to foster your mental, spiritual, and physical growth.
Let’s be honest: as an athlete, there will come a time when you’ll find yourself on the bench. How you handle that experience can teach you valuable life lessons that surpass all the minutes you spend actually playing. Coach Corey firmly believes that anticipating and preparing for your time on the bench is one of the crucial skills you need to develop as a young athlete.
When you find yourself in a more supportive role rather than as the star player, seize that chance to grow personally. You’ll cultivate mental strength as you navigate your situation, no matter how you ended up there, and hopefully, you’ll realize that enduring this moment is worthwhile because of your love for the game.
- Work harder than the starting player. To prove and enhance your value, strive to be the best version of yourself.
- If you give your all during every practice, you can take pride in your contribution to the team, even if you aren’t in the starting lineup.
- Be the most enthusiastic cheerleader on that bench. Make it your mission to keep your teammates motivated and focused. The way you support your team will make you an increasingly vital part of the unit, even if you’re not on the field.
- You’ll learn the importance of patience. Not everything will come to you simply because you desire it. You may need to enhance your training, attitude, or strength. Dedicating time to improve your weaknesses will ultimately yield results, though it may take time.
- Use your time on the bench to observe the game. With a front-row seat, take full advantage! Understanding strategy and gameplay is essential to being a mentally sharp athlete. By paying attention to your team’s dynamics, the opposing team’s strategies, and potential adjustments, you’ll discover insights into the game that you never knew before.
- Don’t underestimate the value of using this time to study.
Finally, when your opportunity to play arrives, embrace it with no regrets. All the practices you engaged in and the time spent observing and learning will likely yield better results than if you had sulked on the bench feeling disappointed and disheartened.