Athlete From Starter to Bench-warmer
Tryouts, Sports, Player, Cut From the Team, Second String
In This Guide:
It's been said that playing sports is 10% ability and 90% mentality. One of the biggest mental challenges an athlete can face is being moved to another position or even worse, being moved from a starting position to second string. This guide details the typical thoughts of athletes struggling to regain their mental focus along with their starting position.
They Might Be Thinking:
- Why am I not starting?
- What did I do wrong?
- Why is [insert name] starting over me?
- What is my coach thinking?
- Am I being punished?
- Should I go and talk to my coach?
- What do I tell my parents?
- My parents are going to be extremely disappointed.
- I am better than [insert name].
- Is it my offensive or defensive skills that my coach doesn’t like?
- Why would my coach pick me for the team and not play me?
- Is it because [insert name] is an upperclassman?
- I have always been a starter.
- What do I have to do to earn a starting spot?
- Do I deserve to start over [insert name], or is that player better than me?
- This is ridiculous.
- Coach isn’t putting the best players out on the field.
- Is this the coach’s decision or is the coach being pressured by someone else?
- Are parent politics involved?
- Do I need to work harder?
- Is my mental game good enough?
- Why am I sitting on the bench?
- I’m so bored on the bench.
- I should be playing.
- I don't want to play anymore.
- I feel like quitting.
Words That Might Be Encouraging:
- Control the things you can control.
- All you can do is give 100% effort 100% of the time.
- Trust the process.
- Patience and persistence are key.
- Maybe your coach is just trying people out in other positions.
- Stay confident in your abilities.
- Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with that talent is your gift back to God.
- Give it some time. If you're not happy with the results, it's worth having a conversation with your coach.
- It's perfectly acceptable to ask the coach what you need to do to get your spot back.
- You are too talented to throw this opportunity away.
- I believe in you and I know you can rise to the challenge.
- Overcoming this obstacle will not only make you a better athlete but also a better person.
- Persevere; you can do it!
- Don't let one-speed bump derail you. Stay on course.
- Michael Jordan didn't make his high school varsity basketball team but he didn't quit. He played on the junior varsity team and was the star.
Words That Might Be Discouraging:
- It's just sports; I don't see the big deal.
- Well, is the other player better than you?
- Did your coach say anything about it?
- You should have your parents get involved.
- Just learn another position so you can play.
- Maybe it's your attitude.
- I'd tell the coach you are mad that you aren't starting anymore.
- Wait, isn't that other player younger than you?
- Is the player who's starting instead of you the coach's kid?
- Haven't you always been the starter?
- Have you been making mistakes?
- Did you get into an argument with the coach or with another player, or something?
- What did your teammates say/think about it?
- I'll bet it's because another parent said something.
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