Parents frequently ask me, “what can I do to get my athlete better?” In their minds the focus is always on athletic abilities ie, run faster, get stronger, jump higher. While these can improve performance there is a more profound and far reaching approach that will not only translate into better athletic performance but also better functioning young adults. It requires no equipment, guru trainer or state of the art gym.  All it takes is the simple decision to do so.

Five Personal Qualities That Lead to Athletic Success:

1. Organizational skills – Teach your athlete how to organize their lives, if an athlete can’t juggle chores, school work and other activites they won’t have the discipline to structure their athletic life of practices, workouts and competitons effectively.
2. Preparation skills– Prepearation requires forethought  and the opportunity to be proactive rather than reactive. Preparation calls for the mental ability to analyze your strengths and weaknesses, set goals and define a purpose. It makes the athlete actively involved in their success.
3. Consistency – Attendance, work ethic, and technique ingrains the habits that lead to good performance.  The athlete becomes more engaged because it requires a commitment.
4. Listening – If an athlete doesn’t have the […]