How much does an inch or two really matter? What effect on the game could that have? Does it really make me that better if I'm off the line by an inch or on it? Sports is a game of inches, both on and off the field.
Games are decided by inches all the time. In football it can be whether a team gets a first down, or a touchdown. In volleyball it determines whether a ball goes over the net, or if the ball is in or out. In baseball a matter of inches is the strike zone. It's crazy how such a little thing has such a big impact. My own games have been decided on inches. Whether it was on a field goal or a defensive stop I've witnessed the joy or sadness that an inch can bring.
In practices coaches make sure to make that a point. For example during conditioning, they might tell you to make sure you're behind the line before running, or finish through the line. Will this extra inch actually make you better? Physically no, an inch is an inch, but mentally it can make a player or team so much better. This concept teaches discipline, and also can teach how every little thing you do matters. Even though you might think that what you do doesn't affect the team; it really does.
Think about all the replays that are shown on TV during college or NFL football games. Did he catch the ball? Did he have a foot in? Is that a touchdown? All of these things are always decided by inches. Championship teams are the ones who fight for the extra inch. The team that doesn't settle for average, but strides for excellence. The team that works the hardest, and is the most prepared. Those teams get that inch. They are on the joyous side after their defense gets a stop on fourth down to win the game, by inches.
It's undeniable. A little thing has a big impact. What type of person are you? The one who goes to the line or through it. An inch is a mere image of what people in sports should be thinking about. The thing that makes a team from good to great are the little things. Focusing on the details is everything. So next time you are on the line and thinking to yourself that you can't do anymore; don't cheat yourself or your teammates. Because champions finish through it.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Upperclassmen
Most people look up to their peers and think, "wow they are big" or "I wouldn't want to mess with them." Sure most the time they are bigger, and stronger, but they can teach you a lot of things. Becoming friends with upperclassmen is so important because you are able to learn a lot and it's fun to meet new people.
In football this year I became friends with a lot of seniors. It all started out when we came in during the summer for OTAs and weightlifting. You would always be by them and watch and see how they did things. Since I'm an offensive linemen I really connected with those guys and was able to gel pretty easy. The one thing I was able to gain from this was new knowledge about the position I had been playing for seven years. They taught me and showed me how to be more aggressive, how to block better, and most importantly how to communicate. I didn't know until I played this year how important the center's job is with communicating to the other linemen. And at the same time while learning I'm also having fun! We are able to hang out and joke around now, and it all started because of football.
Seniors are better teachers by showing you rather than telling you. A good friend of mine Dalles Jacobus is a great example of this during the season this year. He has taught me two important things, to play with emotion, and to communicate. Anyone who has seen Dalles play football will know he plays with a lot of emotion, and being with him day in and day out at practice he showed me how that happens. He has made me a much better football player in that aspect. He also is the linemen that makes sure I communicate with everyone else. At the beginning I was quiet. I was nervous about being on varsity, nervous about messing up, and he and the other linemen have taught me it's ok. They have my back and will try their hardest to help me out. In practices he constantly reminded me to talk, and make calls, and because of that I now do it as second nature. I walk up to the line, tell everyone what's going on, and we are all on the same page. This has led me to success and has made me a better player.
Upperclassmen also know how to push you to a whole new level. They are leaders, and show you what it takes to be successful. I lifted with a lot of senior friends during this past summer and because of that I got a lot stronger. I was more prepared for the season than I ever have been before. I couldn't have done it without upperclassmen.
The point is to branch off and don't be "scared" of people that are older than you. They don't bite and they won't get mad. They have a lot to teach you, and have great insight on a lot of different things. Along the way friendships will be made that could last you a whole lifetime.
In football this year I became friends with a lot of seniors. It all started out when we came in during the summer for OTAs and weightlifting. You would always be by them and watch and see how they did things. Since I'm an offensive linemen I really connected with those guys and was able to gel pretty easy. The one thing I was able to gain from this was new knowledge about the position I had been playing for seven years. They taught me and showed me how to be more aggressive, how to block better, and most importantly how to communicate. I didn't know until I played this year how important the center's job is with communicating to the other linemen. And at the same time while learning I'm also having fun! We are able to hang out and joke around now, and it all started because of football.
Seniors are better teachers by showing you rather than telling you. A good friend of mine Dalles Jacobus is a great example of this during the season this year. He has taught me two important things, to play with emotion, and to communicate. Anyone who has seen Dalles play football will know he plays with a lot of emotion, and being with him day in and day out at practice he showed me how that happens. He has made me a much better football player in that aspect. He also is the linemen that makes sure I communicate with everyone else. At the beginning I was quiet. I was nervous about being on varsity, nervous about messing up, and he and the other linemen have taught me it's ok. They have my back and will try their hardest to help me out. In practices he constantly reminded me to talk, and make calls, and because of that I now do it as second nature. I walk up to the line, tell everyone what's going on, and we are all on the same page. This has led me to success and has made me a better player.
Upperclassmen also know how to push you to a whole new level. They are leaders, and show you what it takes to be successful. I lifted with a lot of senior friends during this past summer and because of that I got a lot stronger. I was more prepared for the season than I ever have been before. I couldn't have done it without upperclassmen.
The point is to branch off and don't be "scared" of people that are older than you. They don't bite and they won't get mad. They have a lot to teach you, and have great insight on a lot of different things. Along the way friendships will be made that could last you a whole lifetime.
Why do Sports?
Why in the world are sports so popular? It's just a game! People live their lives playing a game! In reality, would sports really impact the world? Sure people enjoy playing them, and they bring enjoyment to people everywhere, but what lasting impacts do they really have?
Sports are complex. There are team sports and individual sports; balls, pucks, bats, helmets, you name it and it's in a sport. The main purpose of a sport is to entertain the audience, which I feel is happening very successfully. While the audience is being entertained, the players also have a lot of fun and can learn valuable life lessons while playing them. For example in football, a lesson learned can be to get up whenever you get knocked down; be able to bounce back when adversity strikes. This relates to life because some time or another either adversity will hit you, or someone knocks you down. Football, although is only a game, can help young men this skill. In a game people get knocked down, whether they are being tackled, or blocking someone, people fall down. If you get blocked onto the ground it's a little upsetting, but most people will be able to get up from a little blow. How will a person react when they are on the ground the whole night? When the person across from you is just bigger and stronger than you are? It's demoralizing to a person when you are able to push them back ten yards or pancake them onto the ground, but it's what the person on the ground has to do in order to get back up that builds character.
In volleyball, teams have to be learn how to battle back after losing sets. In volleyball teams must rally. This means they have to get a lot of points in a row and keep focused. They have to keep their heads up and get playing. This happens in life too. Sometimes you can feel like you're so far behind or can never succeed no matter how hard you try, but this just proves that you can. In volleyball momentum swings and teams can score up to 15 points in a row. In life instead of scoring points, something will go your way and success will happen.
In baseball, have you ever wondered how pitchers can go back to pitching like normal after giving up a home run? They have to learn how to flush something bad and play like it never happened. If they didn't the game would snowball. The batters after would get hits, more runs would score, and the whole complexity of the game would change. This relates to life because sometimes mistakes happen, and people need to learn how to bounce back from them and not dwell on it. People need to flush things sometimes, whether that means to forgive someone, or just move on from the mistake, it will make decisions in the future go better.
Whether sports are for entertainment or to teach people valuable lessons, we will never truly know. The fact is they do both which is something special. So why do them? They are fun while teaching you valuable lessons along the way.
Sports are complex. There are team sports and individual sports; balls, pucks, bats, helmets, you name it and it's in a sport. The main purpose of a sport is to entertain the audience, which I feel is happening very successfully. While the audience is being entertained, the players also have a lot of fun and can learn valuable life lessons while playing them. For example in football, a lesson learned can be to get up whenever you get knocked down; be able to bounce back when adversity strikes. This relates to life because some time or another either adversity will hit you, or someone knocks you down. Football, although is only a game, can help young men this skill. In a game people get knocked down, whether they are being tackled, or blocking someone, people fall down. If you get blocked onto the ground it's a little upsetting, but most people will be able to get up from a little blow. How will a person react when they are on the ground the whole night? When the person across from you is just bigger and stronger than you are? It's demoralizing to a person when you are able to push them back ten yards or pancake them onto the ground, but it's what the person on the ground has to do in order to get back up that builds character.
In volleyball, teams have to be learn how to battle back after losing sets. In volleyball teams must rally. This means they have to get a lot of points in a row and keep focused. They have to keep their heads up and get playing. This happens in life too. Sometimes you can feel like you're so far behind or can never succeed no matter how hard you try, but this just proves that you can. In volleyball momentum swings and teams can score up to 15 points in a row. In life instead of scoring points, something will go your way and success will happen.
In baseball, have you ever wondered how pitchers can go back to pitching like normal after giving up a home run? They have to learn how to flush something bad and play like it never happened. If they didn't the game would snowball. The batters after would get hits, more runs would score, and the whole complexity of the game would change. This relates to life because sometimes mistakes happen, and people need to learn how to bounce back from them and not dwell on it. People need to flush things sometimes, whether that means to forgive someone, or just move on from the mistake, it will make decisions in the future go better.
Whether sports are for entertainment or to teach people valuable lessons, we will never truly know. The fact is they do both which is something special. So why do them? They are fun while teaching you valuable lessons along the way.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Injuries
Injuries are devastating. No one wants them, but they always happen. Some injuries are less impacting than others, but they prevent players from playing at their top speed. In the sport of football injuries are inevitable, but the game is still played by millions and the risk is always there.
Two teammates of mine have gotten hit by season ending injuries, one with a broken collar bone and the other with a torn ACL. Jackson Behn is my teammate who tore his ACL and ended his senior year a couple week ago. I feel terrible for him, not only because he has to miss the rest of this season, but because he is a senior. Any senior who gets a long term or season ending injury is tough. The fact of the matter is he will never be able to take another high school football snap, and potential another snap of football in his life. That's why injuries suck. They prevent players from finishing seasons, and sometimes can prevent players from fulfilling their dreams all the way. This is why my full support goes to my friend Jackson as I hope he gets better soon, and it gives us as a team more to play for.
I've also been injured so I know the pain of sitting to the side and watching. It's not same. I was luckily injured during the spring, running track, and was able to bounce back and play my football season, but I did have to sit out practices during the summer. It's a hard thing to do. For one; you aren't able to improve your game. Everyone around you is getting better while you aren't able to do anything about it. Also it's not the same sitting on the side of the field as it is on the field. The reason people play sports is because they enjoy the game. When you are sitting on the sideline, that pure enjoyment isn't as sweet as when you are in the game. Injuries can also make you feel helpless. I fractured my hip so I could only walk with crutches otherwise a jolt of pain went down my leg. I like to think of myself as a tough person when it comes to these things because I don't complain about pain and push through a lot of it. When I got this injury it was the first time I couldn't do that and it gave me a new perspective. It allows you to focus on what really matters, and to me at that time, the only thing that mattered was being able to walk normal again. This is why support during injuries are imperative. Injured players need support so that they can feel normal, and get through the tough time.
Not all injuries are that serious. For example, a sprained finger, or a bad turf burn. Those things can be played through, although they do affect how well the player can play. A common injury in football is a concussion. These can be very serious because of the fact that they are in your brain. They normally sideline guys from between 2-6 weeks depending on the extent of the injury. Since this is common, most players are able to come back from them during the season and continue to play, but for the weeks those players are out it's hard for them.
The bottom line is injuries are hard to deal with, but they are the risk that players take. Every team has them no matter how serious they are. For seniors in high school it's especially tough if a serious one hits during the season, but that's what support is for, and teams can bond over that. No one enjoys an injury, but the response to them makes them a stronger and more driven individual.
Two teammates of mine have gotten hit by season ending injuries, one with a broken collar bone and the other with a torn ACL. Jackson Behn is my teammate who tore his ACL and ended his senior year a couple week ago. I feel terrible for him, not only because he has to miss the rest of this season, but because he is a senior. Any senior who gets a long term or season ending injury is tough. The fact of the matter is he will never be able to take another high school football snap, and potential another snap of football in his life. That's why injuries suck. They prevent players from finishing seasons, and sometimes can prevent players from fulfilling their dreams all the way. This is why my full support goes to my friend Jackson as I hope he gets better soon, and it gives us as a team more to play for.
I've also been injured so I know the pain of sitting to the side and watching. It's not same. I was luckily injured during the spring, running track, and was able to bounce back and play my football season, but I did have to sit out practices during the summer. It's a hard thing to do. For one; you aren't able to improve your game. Everyone around you is getting better while you aren't able to do anything about it. Also it's not the same sitting on the side of the field as it is on the field. The reason people play sports is because they enjoy the game. When you are sitting on the sideline, that pure enjoyment isn't as sweet as when you are in the game. Injuries can also make you feel helpless. I fractured my hip so I could only walk with crutches otherwise a jolt of pain went down my leg. I like to think of myself as a tough person when it comes to these things because I don't complain about pain and push through a lot of it. When I got this injury it was the first time I couldn't do that and it gave me a new perspective. It allows you to focus on what really matters, and to me at that time, the only thing that mattered was being able to walk normal again. This is why support during injuries are imperative. Injured players need support so that they can feel normal, and get through the tough time.
Not all injuries are that serious. For example, a sprained finger, or a bad turf burn. Those things can be played through, although they do affect how well the player can play. A common injury in football is a concussion. These can be very serious because of the fact that they are in your brain. They normally sideline guys from between 2-6 weeks depending on the extent of the injury. Since this is common, most players are able to come back from them during the season and continue to play, but for the weeks those players are out it's hard for them.
The bottom line is injuries are hard to deal with, but they are the risk that players take. Every team has them no matter how serious they are. For seniors in high school it's especially tough if a serious one hits during the season, but that's what support is for, and teams can bond over that. No one enjoys an injury, but the response to them makes them a stronger and more driven individual.
Mistakes
In sports, and in life, mistakes happen. People are not perfect, and never will be perfect so mistakes will always occur. Great teams try and minimize their mistakes and take advantage of other teams mistakes in order to win. Penalties and turnovers are two types of in mistakes that can occur. Human mistakes could be misreading a play or not blocking the right guy. These things happen in every game; otherwise what's the point of playing? Learning from these mistakes is the important thing. Sometimes it's easier than others, depending on the impact it has on the game, but the whole point of making mistakes is to learn from them and become a better player and a better person.
My sophomore year I vividly remember making a mistake at the end of a football game. The reason I remember this one, and not a lot of other ones, is because this one had an impact of both me and the team. It was third and goal and my team made a freeze call, meaning we wouldn't snap the ball and try and draw the other team offside. I was so focused on the guy across from me that I snapped the ball and since the quarterback wasn't expecting it, he didn't catch it and it rolled 15 yards back. Luckily my teammates bailed me out of this particular play because my quarterback picked up the ball and was able to throw it for a completion instead of the other team getting the ball and ending the game. However, because of my mistake we were down to our last play. Less than 30 seconds to go and I knew I couldn't make anymore. The last play I had a good snap, but I see the ball deflect off my teammates hands and fall to the ground in the end zone. We lost. Two mistakes cost us that football game at the end; a bad snap on my part, and a dropped pass in the end zone. That was a tough one to take in. I remember walking into the locker room about as sad as I've ever been after a loss. But I knew I had something to learn from and something to build upon. This year I don't make those mistakes, and especially against that team. We were able to beat them in both the varsity and JV game this year, getting revenge from last year, and improving upon our previous mistakes.
If you listen to sports analysis people who break down games, they always pin the loss on the mistakes of the team that lost. Whether it was a penalty at the end of the game, or an interception on the last play of the game, that one play is always pin pointed. In reality, there are many plays during the game that affect the outcome, not just one or two. This past weekend the Michigan punter on the last play of the game fumbled the ball and the other team returned it for a touchdown, making them lose the game. All the blame is put on the punter for the loss because if he punted the ball is team would have won. Sure the man messed up, but if the offense would have gotten a first down, he wouldn't have ever been on the field. If the offense could have made less turnovers earlier in the game and scored more, then that last play wouldn't have had such a big impact. The reality is the mistake happened. What people need to realize though is that it's just a game. Far greater mistakes in life can be made than dropping a football. Making a bad snap is minimal to other mistakes that can happen.
Learn from your mistakes and from others. They are used to grow and used to improve upon. No one is ever perfect. Everyone has those days when you screw up, or make a bad decision. The important thing to remember is that people are always there for you to help pick you back up, just like my teammates were there for me on that play. No one is perfect, that's the beauty of life, but it's how you respond to adversity that builds true character and makes you into a better person.
My sophomore year I vividly remember making a mistake at the end of a football game. The reason I remember this one, and not a lot of other ones, is because this one had an impact of both me and the team. It was third and goal and my team made a freeze call, meaning we wouldn't snap the ball and try and draw the other team offside. I was so focused on the guy across from me that I snapped the ball and since the quarterback wasn't expecting it, he didn't catch it and it rolled 15 yards back. Luckily my teammates bailed me out of this particular play because my quarterback picked up the ball and was able to throw it for a completion instead of the other team getting the ball and ending the game. However, because of my mistake we were down to our last play. Less than 30 seconds to go and I knew I couldn't make anymore. The last play I had a good snap, but I see the ball deflect off my teammates hands and fall to the ground in the end zone. We lost. Two mistakes cost us that football game at the end; a bad snap on my part, and a dropped pass in the end zone. That was a tough one to take in. I remember walking into the locker room about as sad as I've ever been after a loss. But I knew I had something to learn from and something to build upon. This year I don't make those mistakes, and especially against that team. We were able to beat them in both the varsity and JV game this year, getting revenge from last year, and improving upon our previous mistakes.
If you listen to sports analysis people who break down games, they always pin the loss on the mistakes of the team that lost. Whether it was a penalty at the end of the game, or an interception on the last play of the game, that one play is always pin pointed. In reality, there are many plays during the game that affect the outcome, not just one or two. This past weekend the Michigan punter on the last play of the game fumbled the ball and the other team returned it for a touchdown, making them lose the game. All the blame is put on the punter for the loss because if he punted the ball is team would have won. Sure the man messed up, but if the offense would have gotten a first down, he wouldn't have ever been on the field. If the offense could have made less turnovers earlier in the game and scored more, then that last play wouldn't have had such a big impact. The reality is the mistake happened. What people need to realize though is that it's just a game. Far greater mistakes in life can be made than dropping a football. Making a bad snap is minimal to other mistakes that can happen.
Learn from your mistakes and from others. They are used to grow and used to improve upon. No one is ever perfect. Everyone has those days when you screw up, or make a bad decision. The important thing to remember is that people are always there for you to help pick you back up, just like my teammates were there for me on that play. No one is perfect, that's the beauty of life, but it's how you respond to adversity that builds true character and makes you into a better person.
Playoffs
The playoffs. What an achievement they are. Teams play their whole season striving to be in them. The playoffs are the "extra" games a team gets to play; the important ones. In football the playoffs are a one and done deal. You win and you move onto the next round, but if you lose, the seasons over. In baseball a series of either five or seven games is played to determine who goes onto the next round. The higher up a team gets the more pressure is put on them, and the closer they get to their ultimate goal.
This year in football we are 8-0. Off to the greatest start in school history, but we know that if we want to succeed and have the year we are hoping for; then we are only half way done. In Iowa in order to win the title you would have to play fourteen games, which brings you to the end of November. Playoffs bring a whole new sense of the word pressure to a team. Our team especially has a lot of pressure on it now because we haven't lost. When we win out the rest of the regular season, that much more pressure will be added to our plates because we no longer can "lose." In the regular season a loss isn't good, but a team can bounce back from it and learn from it. Our team might not get that this year meaning we will have to continue to get better week by week; otherwise that first loss might end our year. The playoffs are also very hyped up by media sources and newspapers. Once the playoffs are set everyone pays attention because it's a big deal for both cities and supporters.
The playoffs also bring a new challenge. All teams that make them have earned it and have been successful in their season, which brings a challenge because every team is good. Every week that advances brings on a better and better team forcing you to prepare more, and play at the best of your ability. Along with each week becoming more challenging each week also becomes more rewarding. The farther your team gets the sweeter each win becomes. A win is a win, whether playoffs or not, but a win in the playoffs also seems to feel better and make fans more excited. The thrill of being one of the only teams left, and the school spirit behind that is incredible. This year when my team takes the field during the playoffs you can guarantee that we will be prepared for our opponent and give everything we have. This next month is going to be exciting and I hope everyone is going to be a part of it because you wouldn't want to miss it.
This year in football we are 8-0. Off to the greatest start in school history, but we know that if we want to succeed and have the year we are hoping for; then we are only half way done. In Iowa in order to win the title you would have to play fourteen games, which brings you to the end of November. Playoffs bring a whole new sense of the word pressure to a team. Our team especially has a lot of pressure on it now because we haven't lost. When we win out the rest of the regular season, that much more pressure will be added to our plates because we no longer can "lose." In the regular season a loss isn't good, but a team can bounce back from it and learn from it. Our team might not get that this year meaning we will have to continue to get better week by week; otherwise that first loss might end our year. The playoffs are also very hyped up by media sources and newspapers. Once the playoffs are set everyone pays attention because it's a big deal for both cities and supporters.
The playoffs also bring a new challenge. All teams that make them have earned it and have been successful in their season, which brings a challenge because every team is good. Every week that advances brings on a better and better team forcing you to prepare more, and play at the best of your ability. Along with each week becoming more challenging each week also becomes more rewarding. The farther your team gets the sweeter each win becomes. A win is a win, whether playoffs or not, but a win in the playoffs also seems to feel better and make fans more excited. The thrill of being one of the only teams left, and the school spirit behind that is incredible. This year when my team takes the field during the playoffs you can guarantee that we will be prepared for our opponent and give everything we have. This next month is going to be exciting and I hope everyone is going to be a part of it because you wouldn't want to miss it.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Being a Student-Athlete
What does it mean to be a student-athlete? Many forget that there is a life outside of sports for many athletes. School is important, alongside music and other club activities. Kids now days are extremely busy trying to balance sports, school, clubs, and work. It takes a lot to be a successful student-athlete.
The number one priority for high school players should be their school work, not sports. For many this is reversed and it shows in their report cards. If a student doesn't take care of what they need to in the classroom they can become ineligible for a game/games, which is bad for the student and the team. I make sure to take care of my academics personally because I know that it's important to be successful in the classroom, just like it's important to be successful on the field. The thing that I believe many athletes forget is that for the majority of them, sports will not be there for them after high school. Many will go on to do different careers and jobs, which is why being a good student should come first. Some people are more athletically gifted than others, that's a fact of nature, but all people should focus on school and then sports as a backup.
I also believe that student athletes should be well rounded. What does this mean? I think there is more to life than just school and sports. Music is a tremendously important thing to me. I'm in different choirs and show choir and enjoy all of it, yet I also enjoy sports. Many people have the stereotype that a person is either a jock or a person interested in the arts. I provide both and I think more people should. It opens up other friend groups and allows a person to have different sides of them.
Student-athletes also must take a lot of pride and focus in their sport. They must want to put in the work to be successful, and help their team. In order to be a successful athlete a player must buy into the team and focus on improving their game. Another thing athletes focus on the season at hand. Many play multiple sports, and coaches want to work with them for that sport year round. In order to become the best you can be a player should take one season at a time and not get distracted by non-season issues. If there is a conflict with a club sport or activity during the season they should focus on the in-season sport and worry about the other thing later.
Student-athletes have to juggle a lot of different things. Football? Music? School? It takes a lot of effort, but if a person can be well rounded and successful at everything they do then life is going to be great! Success will be earned in all of their activities and goals will be met in school. This will lead to options after high school that can lead to great things the rest of their lives.
The number one priority for high school players should be their school work, not sports. For many this is reversed and it shows in their report cards. If a student doesn't take care of what they need to in the classroom they can become ineligible for a game/games, which is bad for the student and the team. I make sure to take care of my academics personally because I know that it's important to be successful in the classroom, just like it's important to be successful on the field. The thing that I believe many athletes forget is that for the majority of them, sports will not be there for them after high school. Many will go on to do different careers and jobs, which is why being a good student should come first. Some people are more athletically gifted than others, that's a fact of nature, but all people should focus on school and then sports as a backup.
I also believe that student athletes should be well rounded. What does this mean? I think there is more to life than just school and sports. Music is a tremendously important thing to me. I'm in different choirs and show choir and enjoy all of it, yet I also enjoy sports. Many people have the stereotype that a person is either a jock or a person interested in the arts. I provide both and I think more people should. It opens up other friend groups and allows a person to have different sides of them.
Student-athletes also must take a lot of pride and focus in their sport. They must want to put in the work to be successful, and help their team. In order to be a successful athlete a player must buy into the team and focus on improving their game. Another thing athletes focus on the season at hand. Many play multiple sports, and coaches want to work with them for that sport year round. In order to become the best you can be a player should take one season at a time and not get distracted by non-season issues. If there is a conflict with a club sport or activity during the season they should focus on the in-season sport and worry about the other thing later.
Student-athletes have to juggle a lot of different things. Football? Music? School? It takes a lot of effort, but if a person can be well rounded and successful at everything they do then life is going to be great! Success will be earned in all of their activities and goals will be met in school. This will lead to options after high school that can lead to great things the rest of their lives.
Upsets
Upsets are the face of sports. Those are the games that make fans excited, and change up the pace of sports. Every team loves to be the upset as well. There isn't any better feeling than going into the game being projected to lose by everyone and then come out on top. Upsets prove that any team on any given day can beat anyone.
An upset is when an underdog team beats a great team or beats a team that is projected to beat them. When these games happen, which happens every week, it proves for a great story and shakes up the standings. A great upset game I went to was when Iowa State played the second ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys. It was a cold November night and everyone picked Oklahoma State to win. This was both teams last game of the year and the cowboys haven't lost all season, until that night. Iowa State ended up beating them in double overtime and changed the mindset of all college football. Instead of Oklahoma State going to the championship game, they went to a lesser bowl, which allowed the opportunity for another team to go to the title game.
These games are fun and peculiar at the same time. They are fun because everyone cheers for an underdog team if they are close to beating a great team. Fans love to see this! Also they are peculiar because no one besides the team that is playing expects them to actually win. Fans will cheer for an underdog team just because they can, but they don't actually expect them to win. The only people with faith are the team playing. Those players bond together more during weeks when they can underdogs on the sole fact that no one else does. I've been on that team. I've walked onto an opponent's field that had no respect for my team. They thought that they were better in every way imaginable. But one of the best feelings in sports is when you are able to do the unthinkable. When your team is challenged and succeeds. Those boos off the field were the best because we knew that we had succeeded.
Upsets. What a concept. The games that are "easier" turn out to be deciders. They end up changing the outcome of a season, or become the hardest game of the season. Upset bids happen all the time, and most of the time don't end up happening. But when they do, it changes sports and gives it a new life.
An upset is when an underdog team beats a great team or beats a team that is projected to beat them. When these games happen, which happens every week, it proves for a great story and shakes up the standings. A great upset game I went to was when Iowa State played the second ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys. It was a cold November night and everyone picked Oklahoma State to win. This was both teams last game of the year and the cowboys haven't lost all season, until that night. Iowa State ended up beating them in double overtime and changed the mindset of all college football. Instead of Oklahoma State going to the championship game, they went to a lesser bowl, which allowed the opportunity for another team to go to the title game.
These games are fun and peculiar at the same time. They are fun because everyone cheers for an underdog team if they are close to beating a great team. Fans love to see this! Also they are peculiar because no one besides the team that is playing expects them to actually win. Fans will cheer for an underdog team just because they can, but they don't actually expect them to win. The only people with faith are the team playing. Those players bond together more during weeks when they can underdogs on the sole fact that no one else does. I've been on that team. I've walked onto an opponent's field that had no respect for my team. They thought that they were better in every way imaginable. But one of the best feelings in sports is when you are able to do the unthinkable. When your team is challenged and succeeds. Those boos off the field were the best because we knew that we had succeeded.
Upsets. What a concept. The games that are "easier" turn out to be deciders. They end up changing the outcome of a season, or become the hardest game of the season. Upset bids happen all the time, and most of the time don't end up happening. But when they do, it changes sports and gives it a new life.
Early Mornings
How much to athletes truly sacrifice during off season workouts? How much time do they spend in the weight room or on the football field? The answer is; a lot of time! Successful athletes put in a lot more time than many spectators think for only a few months or the year.
For varsity football players there isn't an off season. Once the year ends after school activities start back up to train for next year. The one thing players have to get used to however, are early mornings. Last year I lifted every other day during the school year at 5am. I did this because I was able to lift with one of my coaches and some of my teammates, that way I was able to make a friendship with them and get to know my coach a little more. Also this opportunity was a great one for me because the teammates I lifted with tried their personal best every day, which made me try harder and eventually made me more successful. Now some might think that three days a week, waking up at five during the school year is a bit extreme. I'm not going to sugar coat it and say it was always easy because it wasn't. Many nights I would be up late finishing homework and then have a quick turnaround the next day. Even though sleep was on the underside of average I survived. I maintained being successful in school and improved myself physically.
Along with waking up early during the school year, the summer was when practices and weightlifting really picked up. Every other day we would go back and forth between the gym and the football field, starting at either 6 or 6:30, all summer long. Sure this is a lot of work. While friends can stay up late and hangout with each other and sleep in all summer long, I have to wake up early every day and try and stay on a schedule so that I'm not overly tired. This sucks sometimes knowing that you could be out hanging with the guys or the girlfriend, but the ultimate goal is to be making yourself better for your season.
I used to think waking up was the worst at 6 am. And some days 6am still feels terrible, but I've adapted and made this time change a part of my life. Sure it sucks sometimes, and makes you think, "Why am I doing this?" But the bonds you make with people and the better you become is a great feeling, and by the time you finish all of your work, everyone else is just getting up. No need to waste the day away when you can be productive.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Pressure
Sports are crazy are they not? People play a game for an income, the newspapers and news reports shed light on local teams daily. Yet, it is also a fun recreational activity that is inviting for all. How come so much emphasis is put on this subject? Why does there have to be so much pressure?
The higher up I've gone in sports the more pressure mounts on top of me. I started out playing MYFA football in the fourth grade, and nothing could have been more relaxed and carefree. Middle school comes around and you feel older. You are finally able to travel to other schools to play games, and have the first student section of your life (all ten of them). Then high school. Freshmen year you feel like a big kid, going around eastern Iowa representing your school. Sophomore year is one step better than that because you play directly in front of the varsity game, so the student section starts filling in right as leave the field. This year is varsity. This is the year you get the big student sections, thousands of fans at your games. The media is putting it on TV, your teammates get interviewed. The football team is the face of the school. Everyone has a response to the game whether positive or negative. How in so little time has the game I love been hyped up to something I've dreamed of?
The reason why I think so much hype and pressure is put on sports is because of the media, the reputation, and the pride of the school. Media tends to hype up everything. They like to make stories into a bigger deal than what they are so that they can make a good story. Their job is to hype up games and make everyone seem important in their own unique way. The reputation of the school is also added pressure. If you play for a school that expects winning and expects greatness, then players try and live up to that. They have a goal to achieve. If a school isn't known for a particular sport and then has a great season, its incredible the response the school sends off to them. They jump on the bandwagon and believe in their team. This is an incredible feeling for the team when this happens but applies a little pressure on their backs. And finally the pride that comes with it.
I use the word pride to describe what Kennedy High School has going on right now. The family stick. The purpose of that is to bond the team as one, but also represents every player on the team now and every player who ever wore a Kennedy football uniform. We invite three alumni back for every football game we play in order to incorporate them into our team. The pressure this adds is for us to make them proud. To make them remember Kennedy football and believe in us once again. Another thing I incorporate with pride is all of the younger players associated with Kennedy at either the elementary or middle school level. I used to be that kid. I used to look up to the varsity football team and think they were the greatest guys ever. When you play the game, you want to make those kids proud. You do it for them. You are seen as a role model to the whole program, and you use that to motivate yourself.
Pressure isn't always a bad thing, it's just something you must live with. Whether you want it or not it's going to be there. I've looked forward all my life for the two years I'm living right now. I'm not going to wish them away for anything. Throw all the pressure you got onto me, and I guarantee you I can handle it.
The higher up I've gone in sports the more pressure mounts on top of me. I started out playing MYFA football in the fourth grade, and nothing could have been more relaxed and carefree. Middle school comes around and you feel older. You are finally able to travel to other schools to play games, and have the first student section of your life (all ten of them). Then high school. Freshmen year you feel like a big kid, going around eastern Iowa representing your school. Sophomore year is one step better than that because you play directly in front of the varsity game, so the student section starts filling in right as leave the field. This year is varsity. This is the year you get the big student sections, thousands of fans at your games. The media is putting it on TV, your teammates get interviewed. The football team is the face of the school. Everyone has a response to the game whether positive or negative. How in so little time has the game I love been hyped up to something I've dreamed of?
The reason why I think so much hype and pressure is put on sports is because of the media, the reputation, and the pride of the school. Media tends to hype up everything. They like to make stories into a bigger deal than what they are so that they can make a good story. Their job is to hype up games and make everyone seem important in their own unique way. The reputation of the school is also added pressure. If you play for a school that expects winning and expects greatness, then players try and live up to that. They have a goal to achieve. If a school isn't known for a particular sport and then has a great season, its incredible the response the school sends off to them. They jump on the bandwagon and believe in their team. This is an incredible feeling for the team when this happens but applies a little pressure on their backs. And finally the pride that comes with it.
I use the word pride to describe what Kennedy High School has going on right now. The family stick. The purpose of that is to bond the team as one, but also represents every player on the team now and every player who ever wore a Kennedy football uniform. We invite three alumni back for every football game we play in order to incorporate them into our team. The pressure this adds is for us to make them proud. To make them remember Kennedy football and believe in us once again. Another thing I incorporate with pride is all of the younger players associated with Kennedy at either the elementary or middle school level. I used to be that kid. I used to look up to the varsity football team and think they were the greatest guys ever. When you play the game, you want to make those kids proud. You do it for them. You are seen as a role model to the whole program, and you use that to motivate yourself.
Pressure isn't always a bad thing, it's just something you must live with. Whether you want it or not it's going to be there. I've looked forward all my life for the two years I'm living right now. I'm not going to wish them away for anything. Throw all the pressure you got onto me, and I guarantee you I can handle it.
Fitness for a Cause
Many people think of fitness as a chore or task, but in reality there are a lot of fitness activities that can be done in your community every week. Along with doing the physical activity, many people still help donate and support organizations helping a cause with the help of sports.
Since it is now October, many sports teams and organizations support the color pink and breast cancer awareness. A simple and easy physical activity I was able to do in order to express my support was the Especially for You walk in downtown Cedar Rapids. This walk is to help support breast cancer and always seems to bring a large crowd. The walk is a fun and easy way to do a physical activity with friends and family, and still support an important cause. We took an extra step at Kennedy High School by making a group of Happiness Inc. members get together and do the walk. This for sure made it worthwhile, and demonstrated how a single group can have an impact. We all did the 5k run, which turned out to be a fantastic turnout as thousands from around the area came out to support, and participate. This just shows how the use of fitness can help people in need, and how it can be used in a fun manner. Fitness isn't a hard thing. It really isn't. As long as you are actively trying your personal best, activities can be found anywhere.
Along with actively participating, many people also use sports to help support causes. I think this is an extremely cool concept, and is effective because so many people are involved in sports. The NFL especially does a lot with breast cancer because they paint the pink ribbon on the fields, and allow the teams to wear pink uniforms and equipment during October. This recognition of breast cancer makes a lot of viewers aware of what's going on, and also helps with the donation of money to different foundations. I think it is really cool that for a whole month the NFL uses their TV publicity to support this cause, and has phone lines so people can call in and donate while watching the games. Many other sports don't make this kind of effort or support as the NFL does, and I respect the sport of football for all that it does.
I think the use of fun recreational activity, and professional sports, make one aware, and fosters support and promotes awareness to major diseases is something truly special, and should be appreciated more than what they are. I also enjoy doing activities in the community that go towards helping a certain cause so I think that more walks or promotions should happen; allowing for more support to go to these foundations.
Since it is now October, many sports teams and organizations support the color pink and breast cancer awareness. A simple and easy physical activity I was able to do in order to express my support was the Especially for You walk in downtown Cedar Rapids. This walk is to help support breast cancer and always seems to bring a large crowd. The walk is a fun and easy way to do a physical activity with friends and family, and still support an important cause. We took an extra step at Kennedy High School by making a group of Happiness Inc. members get together and do the walk. This for sure made it worthwhile, and demonstrated how a single group can have an impact. We all did the 5k run, which turned out to be a fantastic turnout as thousands from around the area came out to support, and participate. This just shows how the use of fitness can help people in need, and how it can be used in a fun manner. Fitness isn't a hard thing. It really isn't. As long as you are actively trying your personal best, activities can be found anywhere.
Along with actively participating, many people also use sports to help support causes. I think this is an extremely cool concept, and is effective because so many people are involved in sports. The NFL especially does a lot with breast cancer because they paint the pink ribbon on the fields, and allow the teams to wear pink uniforms and equipment during October. This recognition of breast cancer makes a lot of viewers aware of what's going on, and also helps with the donation of money to different foundations. I think it is really cool that for a whole month the NFL uses their TV publicity to support this cause, and has phone lines so people can call in and donate while watching the games. Many other sports don't make this kind of effort or support as the NFL does, and I respect the sport of football for all that it does.
I think the use of fun recreational activity, and professional sports, make one aware, and fosters support and promotes awareness to major diseases is something truly special, and should be appreciated more than what they are. I also enjoy doing activities in the community that go towards helping a certain cause so I think that more walks or promotions should happen; allowing for more support to go to these foundations.
Discipline
What do you relate to the word discipline? This word takes on many negative and positive connotations, allowing for people to have completely different meaning of its definition. In sports this word is used to describe successful teams and players who show a lot of commitment. Discipline can look bad in the eyes of some because of past experiences; such as practices or workouts, where disciplined showed up a lot. Others find it as a goal. They strive to be disciplined because they know that it brings success, and with success comes memories.
Discipline is also known as mental toughness. In this case the mental toughness of teams and players and how they use it to become better athletes, and even use it in their workouts to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Discipline is also known as mental toughness. In this case the mental toughness of teams and players and how they use it to become better athletes, and even use it in their workouts to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
In football, discipline brings good teams to great teams. Being able to change up the snap counts, avoid penalties, and focus on having proper technique is what makes teams had to beat. During practice adversity is thrown at you all the time. The coaches want to prepare you for Friday night because undoubtedly adversity will strike during the game. Also, coaches do this to make the players more disciplined and more focused on the task at hand. For example, if a drill is messed up the coaches are there to help you learn from your mistakes. If a player is disciplined they take the correction, apply it, and learn from it.
Conditioning; the last word an athlete wants to hear. Conditioning is done at the end of practices and is really determined by the teams discipline. The team has two options in front of them. Either go hard and get better, or give up, not try, and remain the same. Some days are harder than others that's for sure, but the harder you can push yourself the better you will become. In football I've been pushed to what I thought was my limit, but then I decided to stay disciplined and find another side of me that I didn't know I had. Coaches somehow find a way to motivate players during conditioning to excel them to the next level and find out just how dedicated they are. During conditioning it is apparent what guys are disciplined and who aren't based on how hard they try and what mistakes they make. The great players, mentally, find another place to go, get done what they need to, and at the same time find it deep within them to motivate their teammates at the same time. This breeds success and leads to great things.
Discipline is only accomplished if the athlete can focus on what the task at hand is, and mentally tough enough to push through hard times and strive to help their team. A drive to succeed has to be burning inside and the dedication to do well must been seen in order to gain discipline. However, if a team can bond together and focus on the little things, they will be successful and be extremely hard to stop.
Discipline is only accomplished if the athlete can focus on what the task at hand is, and mentally tough enough to push through hard times and strive to help their team. A drive to succeed has to be burning inside and the dedication to do well must been seen in order to gain discipline. However, if a team can bond together and focus on the little things, they will be successful and be extremely hard to stop.
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