The Pathway To Athletic Excellence


By Joburg Post

"Being the best that you can be is possible only if your desire to be a champion is greater than your fear of failure."

Sammy Lee

A dream. that never turns into reality for many aspiring teenagers or even weekend warriors.  The vision of being one of the world’s best athletes is a very enticing thought, but it takes skill and the ability to use knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance.  Not merely regular tough workouts or playing in the first team.

Who is an

athlete

really?

Personality traits plus cognitive, psychological, sociological & physiological variables to understand & predict behavior in sport & exercise

No specific personality profile has been found that consistently discriminates athletes from non-athletes.

The meaning of the word ATHLETE was derived from Greek athlon, “prize” or “contest”. In other words a person possessing the natural or acquired traits and is trained in exercises such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts.

Key ingredients for being a successful athlete –


  • Defined purpose

  • Drive to win

  • Differentiation from the pack


A winning attitude reflects the following attributes  -

  • Physical intensity

  • Great mental focus

  • High emotional energy

  • Mental toughness and resilience


What are some of the attributes or qualities in becoming

AN ATHLETE



  • Passion to compete – the will to win – no boundaries and always striving for the best

  • Self respect and strength of mind – maintaining reputation – be a role model always

  • Self sacrifice – strong self stamina – choosing training regimes over social time

  • Confidence – a high self belief, projecting positive image , self dependent and not seeking to blame others

  • Have a passion for the sport and commitment to excellence

  • Achievement of greatness through perseverance

  • To acknowledge hardship and weaknesses and work on action plans

  • First class attitude – good coping mechanism failure and success

  • Team sacrifice - sustainability - willingness to learn - desire & ambition - team effort/spirit

  • Utmost concentration - a habit not a talent!!

  • Dedication - foundation of success - builds an athlete - no accomplishment without

  • Commitment, time, effort - sports dedication

  • A positive attitude - supplies fuel for explosive & sustained performance & shapes capacity to build all mental skills required for coping with challenges & this in turn leads to mental toughness

  • Athletic ability - natural or acquired traits - strength, endurance, agility, coordination, speed, power


What is the difference between a

successful and unsuccessful athlete?



  • Greater positive mental health - directly related to athletic success and high levels of performance



  • Successful athletes - less tension, depression, confusion, anger, fatigue



  • Female differences - independent, aggressive, emotionally stable, assertive, achievement-oriented


What are the steps to become a

champion athlete

?

  • Natural skills + hours of conditioning

  • Strong belief skills - ability to deal with pressure - strong conviction that they deserve to win - self confidence

  • Dedication to training with top coach

  • Focus on hours of dedication

  • Avoid injuries with corrective training - recovery measures & nutrition plan & massage & rest


"In life, we choose whether or not we want to be a winner or a loser. To be a winner, we must devote time and hard work. To be a loser you do nothing, and that's exactly what you will get, nothing." 
---Patrick Boles

What is the pathway to

athletic excellence

?

  • Specialization vs Athleticism

  • Athleticism - the ability to execute athletic movements at optimum speed with precision, style & grace in the context of the sport or activity

  • Combine both to reduce injury & enhance performance

  • With the same amount of training time available is it possible to train to improve athleticism without sacrificing specific skill training?

  • Eliminate the distinction - the two are not mutually exclusive but co-dependant and intertwined - one enhances the other

  • Make time within the context of the existing structure & make athleticism components a priority fit

  • Do not overlook the obvious -


The foundations for athleticism are basic coordinative abilities!

“Champions must have both skill and will, but the will must be stronger.”  Muhammad Ali.

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