Family Time at Tournaments

As an athlete balancing your family time with the time you spend on sports and school might be a little difficult. Athletes are always trying to do their best in school and sports and it is easy to forget about your family needs as well, especially at tournaments.

We have all faced our parent telling us to play with our little sibling or spend more time with the family instead of the team. This is often hard to hear, because you don't want to abandon the team or miss out on any of the fun they are having. With this being said it is also important to spend time with your families, but I do have to say it is not always at the right time. At tournaments your parents might always tell you to do be doing things to prepare for your games, but then tell you to spend time with them. Being with your teammates and having some quality bonding time is preparing for the games as well and will build team chemistry. This will help your performance as a whole.

Sometimes it is hard to choose between family and sports, but you must make the decision. Sometimes it is easier than others depending on the situation or how serious it is, but athletes should always put their family first in times of need, family stays with you forever and should be taken care of. With this being said, if the family dilemma is an extremely small one, like your sister wanting to play a game, you can sometimes get away with choosing to hangout with your teammates instead. This all depends on the situation and your decision making. It's not always going to be easy. Sometimes you are going to have to ditch your team when you really do not want to, but trust me they will understand and they will have to make that decision themselves too. Everyone must choose the days they dedicate to family and other things.

3+ Day Tournaments

If you are an athlete who plays on a club team or any team for that matter that likes to travel and compete with some of the best teams in the nation you probably have gone on some longer day tournaments. In volleyball I know there are multiple 3 day tournaments where you are fighting it out each day to earn your way to the gold bracket. Sometimes you only have 2 or 3 games a day, but other times you have around 4 games. Usually a team will see the most amount of games on the last day of the tournament, because that is when everyone enters bracket play. 3 day tournaments can be rough for everyone, especially if you aren't preparing yourself properly each day.

One of the many important things you must do as an athlete if you are competing at a high level for longer periods of time is take ice baths. I know not everyone loves these and they don't always feel the best, but your legs will thank you later. Taking ice baths will help prepare your legs for the next day. You will be fresh and ready to go.

Another thing you must make sure to do on these long tournaments is get enough sleep. It is extremely easy to get caught up with your team when doing some team bonding excercises and not want to leave, but it is important to know when you must go to sleep. Remember the reason you are in that city, or hotel. You are there to play the sport you love and compete and win a championship. You are there for sports, not for friends. Not for team bonding. Not for shopping or finding new places to eat. You are there to compete. 

The last thing to make sure you do is stay  hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will help you not to get tired as easily as the days go on. If you aren't drinking enough, when the first game begins your mouth might dry up immediately and you will be extremely thirsty the entire game. You don't want your mind to be on water, when it should be focused on the game. Limiting distractions is extremely important.

3 day tournaments, or longer, can be a little stressful, but also extremely fun. It's like a mini vacation, but not. You are there playing something you love and it is really fun, but you are also there to do business. Even though it might seem like a small vacation, it is not. It is not a time for you to do what you want to have fun, no matter how much you want it to be. You are there for a reason, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun while doing what is necessary to win.

Team Drama

When it comes to athletics and being on a team there is always going to be a little team drama, especially if you are girls. That is not meant to be sexist in any way, it is just that girls tend to get in more arguments, where as guys truly don't care at the end of the day and just want to win. There always comes a point when your team is not always going to get along as well as they usually do.

When your teammates get into an argument or some sort of unnecessary drama you should always talk about it. Discussing the issue is the first step to solving the problem. You must figure out what is happening that is causing issues and how to put a stop to it. Talking about how you feel towards the subject might make others we in your point of view as well and give others a better understanding of where you are coming from. It is important to always try and be respectful towards your teammates.

At the end of the day you all are on the team for one reason and that is to win. It's to play your hardest and come together for one common goal. When you arrive at your practice facility or convention center you should leave all of your problems behind you. Do not bring any outside worries with you and just focus on your sport. Your sport is your priority at the moment and should not be hindered by anything else. Playing with a team that is in the middle of an argument does no good, because your mind plays an extremely important role in your performance. Everyone needs to get along for just that time you are together. 

Your team is going to disagree sometimes or get into meaningless little fights. Do not stress over these and try to solve the issue immediately. It's not the end of the world if there is a disagreement, but there should be no hard feelings when you step on to the court. Remember your teammates do not have to be your friends, but you do have to respect them and play for them on the court. You must have trust in them and true love and compassion for the game you are playing. You play for your team, not just yourself. Your teammates always come first.

Fitbits

There's a new trend going around that is a great thing to have. Many of my friends have chosen to get their own Fitbits and I think it is a great decision. Fitbits are great for athletes or anyone concerned with their health or physical activity.

One of the great things about Fitbits is that it's basically an advanced watch. Fitbits provide athletes with stopwatches and allow for them to compete with them on. Another great thing about Fitbits is that some of them sense your heart rate. If you are concerned about keeping your heart rate down or like to see where your heart rate is at while working out, Fitbits are a great thing to have. Not only do Fitbits calculate your heart rate, but it can also calculate your BMI so you can stay on track if you are trying to lose weight. Fitbits are just great for working out and can count the amount of steps you take during a day as well.

Fitbits aren't only tools we can all use in our every day lives, but also something that is actually kind of fashionable. They look pretty nice and you can actually get different types of bands for them, depending on your Fitbit, to match the outfit you are wearing. Fitbits are very ideal for any student athlete.

I would highly recommend anyone who is concerned with their health, trying to change or maintain their weight, or simply an athlete to get a Fitbit. It will truly change the way you workout and encourage you to have better workout habits. Getting the most steps in can be a daily competition and push you to do better every single day. You will be more aware of how you are doing physically every single day and it might even change your eating habits. You will be more mindful of your body and learn that physical activity affects a lot of the things you do. Fitbits are a great way to get people started on losing weight and can be an easy way to help you in your first steps.

Seniority

Every high school student athlete has experienced some kind of seniority in their life, unless they didn't start sports until their senior year which is very uncommon. The life of an underclassman is very different than the life of an upperclassman. If you are an underclass men their might be a few things that annoy you about all of the upperclassmen privileges or so called rules.

If you are on a team with upperclassmen you will soon come to find out that seniority trumps everything else. Whether it's that they get to cut in line when you go out to eat or choose the restaurants you eat at, this is always an issue. You are just going to have to get used to it not matter how much it sucks. Even if your team is made up of almost all juniors, the seniors will get their way.

Another thing that gets annoying is that seniors like to put all their responsibilities on you. Putting up and taking down nets or simply cleaning up is no longer their responsibility because they say "we've been doing this for 3 years, it's your turn". You just have to suck it up and do your part no matter how much you hate seniority. 

When all of this happens you are going to try and argue with the seniority rule and claim we are all a part of a team and should play equal roles. No matter how much this makes sense or how much you are right, the seniors will say you are not. There really is no point in arguing because it will just cause drama amongst the team. Sometimes you just have to go along with stupid situations no matter how annoying they are.

Seniority really sucks, but the seniors always tell me this is how I'll be. I always say I'll never be like them and that I'll be nice to underclassman. I guess everyone will find out what it's like to be a senior on their own time, and hopefully we all don't turn out to be exactly what we hated our junior year. But who knows, maybe I'll boss around the people I always said I wouldn't. Either way, one must know their role in a team and understand that things aren't always going to be easy and that it's not that hard to do a couple extra tasks if it makes everyone on the team happy. There's nothing wrong with being a team player and listening to what the seniors have to say. It's not going to hurt you to just do what you're told, unless it is extremely unrealistic and absurd of them to ask.

Music

Preparing for a game or meet is extremely important, whether it is mentally or physically. Every athlete has their own ritual or favorite thing to do or eat before a performance. Some people always eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before a game, while others simply eat any small snack to fill their stomachs. I, for example, make a smoothie almost every afternoon before a volleyball game. It's a routine I have that gets me ready and fills me up enough with healthy foods. For some people music plays a huge role in their preparations for a performance.

Music is extremely important to some people and can speak to them. Whether you need to be pumped up or relaxed, there is music for you. Music is great because it fits every single mood you will have. There is always something you can connect with. Music is a unique way to express your personality and simply enjoy life.

It is sometimes a great idea to bring a speaker to the gym you will be warming up in and listen to some music to pump up the team. A lot of teams actually create their own playlist that they always play before games. During warmups you might have a track prepared for the crowd that pumps up everyone in the gym. Music is a very powerful thing.

No matter the situation, there is a song out there that will provide you with comfort. By listening to comforting music or pump up music, you can really strengthen your mental preparations. Creating a routine is important to training your mind and should include good habits. Remember, mental strength can outweigh physical strength. 

Not only is music a way to create a routine for game days and a way to get you pumped up or prepared for the game, but simply something fun to do. Listening to music can sometimes ease your nerves and create a more light hearted environment. Your stresses will seem to just go away and you will have more fun. Having fun is extremely important when playing a sport, because without having fun what even is the point of playing? You should really enjoy the sport you play. This doesn't mean you aren't going to get stressed or have some undesirable moments at practice. It's going to be hard and you will be pushed in practice, but the people around you and the sport itself should make it all worth the while. 

Music plays a very important role in the everyday lives of many people, especially teenagers. With the many genres there really is something for everyone. Find your song or artist and just go with it. It might make a difference in the court if you loosen up a little bit before.

Faking an Injury

If you are or were an athlete I'm sure you have had some difficult practices. You are pushed so far that you don't know if you can continue and faking an injury would give you the easy way out. Your knee started hurting, or you are having an asthma attack. I know these are actual injuries you can have, but some people use them as excuses or make up that something is hurting them. I feel like a lot of people fake injuries now a days because they don't think they can continue with the workout.

If you don't think you can continue with a workout you need to push through it. This is training your mind to push through things it doesn't think it can do. You will make your mind stronger and each time you finish something difficult it will become easier the next time. Not everything is going to be easy and it is not supposed to be. Your body is physically able of doing these things; you just need to put your mind to the test.

Another reason you should never ever fake an injury is because you are not helping yourself in any way. Yes, you get to take a break for a while in order to not feel physically tired, but it is not going to truly help you. The people around you have finished that workout and are pushing to get better every day. They don't let up. If you give in to the pain you are just allowing your opponents to get even farther ahead of you. They will have done the hard work out and be more prepared for it next time. They are becoming stronger while you remain the same.

The next time you think you are doing yourself a favor by faking an injury to allow yourself to sit out, think again. It might be difficult during the workout and you may hate your sport for that couple of minutes, but it will definitely benefit you in the end. Skipping workouts is for athletes who aren't committed and don't believe in themselves. Be strong, be committed, and most of all believe in yourself. If you don't think you can do it, chances are you won't. Your mind is a very strong thing. What happens when you actually get injured and no one believes you? Be the athlete others look up to.

Parenting

Now, I know I am not a parent and I have not ever been put in a parent's shoes, but there are some things parents need to know. Parents need to understand the way their child works and what he/she likes for input. Some parents get so caught up in their child's athletic careers that they have basically taken up a position as their child's coach. Not all kids enjoy having their parent criticize everything they do, especially in sports.

If your child is one that gets angry when you mention a mistake they made during a game, they probably do not welcome your feedback. Some players don't even like to hear the positives of the game and want to keep sports out of their relationship. Knowing how your child reacts to different things is extremely important. You could add to the stresses of your child by nagging them to do better or pointing out what they need to work on.

Other kids love to hear what their parents have to say and want to hear every little detail of how they played. While, I do not know many kids out there like this, it is something you should take into consideration. Do you show up to your child's games? Do they know how much you support them? If they do not feel supported, they might need a little more closure on how they played.

I am a child that likes to hear feedback from my parents, but not so much detail on what I did wrong. I know the mistakes I made, and do not need to be reminded. I would like to focus more on the positives, but the negatives are so much clearer in my mind. If I had a bad game you might as well just not talk to me, because I already know what I could have done to do better. It is always nice to hear your parent's input though and athletes should always show respect to their parents, no matter how angry they are.

It is extremely important that athletes and parents have an understanding of each other's feelings towards criticism. While one might think it will help, the other will not feel comfortable with it. Parents should always ask if athletes want to talk about the game or not, because just diving into conversation might make the athlete a little angry. Remember, athletes are tired from playing and a little too hard on themselves. Just try and make it easier on them, without sugar-coating it.

Men's Volleyball vs. Women's Volleyball

As you can probably tell from other posts, I am an athlete who absolutely loves volleyball. Volleyball consumes most of my life and is something I truly enjoy playing. Volleyball is a wonderful sport that takes a lot of both mental and physical strength, whether you believe it or not. The sport is extremely entertaining to watch, in my opinion. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch people fling their bodies towards a ball? I would choose to watch a volleyball game over a football game any day. While volleyball itself is interesting, it is even more interesting that males can play this sport as well. 

Most people think of girls in tiny little shorts when they think of volleyball. The idea of a male competing in a volleyball game (in basketball shorts don’t worry) slips the minds of everyday people. Only some areas in the country give opportunities for men to play volleyball. If you ever have the chance to watch a men's volleyball game, I highly encourage you to go and watch. Men's and women's volleyball has the exact same rules, except the men's net is a little bit higher up. Other than that everything is exactly the same, besides the level of play.

Watching men's volleyball for the first time is an experience you will never forget. The level of play is so much more intense and higher than most women's matches. The ball is hit five times harder and the blocks are so much higher. Watching the ball be pounded to the ground and the crowd going wild is something extraordinary. There is nothing out there like men's volleyball.

While I am a girl who plays volleyball and enjoys watching volleyball, I would have to say men's volleyball is a lot more interesting to watch. The ball moves quicker, is hit harder, and everything seems so big. The guys who play seem to be giants compared to everyone else, who have some kind of super strength. Men's volleyball is very underappreciated, yet I find it to be one of the most interesting things to watch. The more guys we can get to go out at a young age, the more popular it will be become. I guess the issue is, that guys don't think playing volleyball is cool or manly enough. Trust me, when you get six packed you won't be saying it is a wimpy sport.

Shaving Your Legs

If you are a female athlete you know the struggle of shaving your legs. Every night before a game or meet you must shave all of the hair off of your legs so that the people in the stands don't get a glimpse at the tiny forest on your legs. Being hairy for females is not looked at as a good thing in today's society. Guys don't seem to like girls who have hairy legs or armpits, but why don't guys shave as well?

Girls are expected to keep a clean shaven body no matter the circumstances, otherwise they are seen as disgusting by males. Shaving, for me, is a preference, because I am not a fan of having hairy legs, especially in sports. No one wants to rub up against a girl while going up for a layup and feel their hair legs or armpit. That is very disgusting. I am someone who definitely needs to shave my legs before a game or meet.

While I like to shave when I know people will be seeing me, or if I am in shorts or a dress, I don't always shave regularly in the winter. By no means am I skipping a whole entire week, but I do stretch out the days. Most of my friends like to shave their legs, but do not follow a regular schedule in the winter as well. Now, when girls don't shave it is not extremely noticeable so it's not a big deal as long as it hasn't been that long, but it can start to get annoying. Some girls think guys hold double standards for women and should shave their legs, but my opinion is that both men and women should do whatever they want. I have my preferences, you have yours. Stop complaining and get on with your life.

Shaving does take extra time from your night and can be a pain in the butt, but it does leave your legs feeling smooth and looking good. Don't let other people tell you how to live your life, or your teammates make you feel bad about a little hair. We all have it and it is natural. You can choose to do whatever you want and should not fall into peer pressure. Your legs are yours and yours only. Athletes are busy and are sometimes too tired, let them be.

Appreciate Life

Life as a high school student athlete leaves you with busy nights and barely any sleep. You are always extremely tired and wanting to just sleep all day every day. As the days go on, you continue with your normal routine and simply go through the motions. If there is ever the chance, you will go to sleep early. This is the average life of anyone who plays sports, but why do we let ourselves do that? High school student athletes do not appreciate their everyday life nearly enough.

The sport you have chosen to play must be important to you, otherwise you wouldn't be continuing to play it. At practice it may seem like you do the same drills every day or you start to get bored of the activities. Appreciate the coaches and athletes that surround you. Appreciate the person next to you pushing you to get better. Life is so great and wonderful, that we sometimes seem to forget because we are caught up with the stresses of our everyday life. You have been blessed to be able to compete in the sport you love and attend school in order to prepare for the life ahead of you. Athletes need to understand that other countries don't have the same opportunities as us. Other schools might not offer the same things as yours. Some countries don't even have the sport you play. Be appreciative of the situation you are in, no matter how awful it seems. There is always someone else going through a struggle much more difficult than your own.

Appreciating life isn't simply being happy all of the time, but enjoying every moment, bad and good. Making memories and being grateful for everything you have is being appreciative. High school student athletes always get caught up in how they are performing, but if you just stop for a minute and take a look that all you have accomplished you can go so much farther. Knowing that you have potential and can increasingly get better, while enjoying every second of it, is going to make you a better player. Appreciate the coach you aren't too fond of, or the teammate you don't really get along with, because they were put into your life for a reason. You are capable of anything if you have a little bit of courage and do not take anything for granted. Life is short, so make the most of it.

Becoming a Senior

As a student athlete most of your focus is on improving each year in the sport you play. If you are extremely committed and absolutely love the sport you play, time can go by very quickly. It might seem like freshman year was only a couple months ago and now you are preparing to go into your senior year. Where did the time go? Why are you so close to being an adult? Since when did you grow up? Senior year is supposed to be one of the best years of high school, but why is it so many people dread it?

Senior year is followed by many goodbyes. Goodbyes to your friends that you will no longer see when you go off to college. Goodbyes to your family if you decide to move out. Goodbyes to your pets. Goodbyes to your coaches and goodbyes to your teammates. Senior year is extremely sad when you think about all you will be leaving behind.

One of the hardest things for me will probably be counting down my lasts. I will be overcome with sadness when I realize I am playing in my last home game, or my last high school tournament. Saying goodbye to the people you have played with the last four years is going to be extremely difficult and heartbreaking, but you must look forward to the future.

After high school graduation, athletes will experience a new life at college and meet tons of new people. If you decide to continue playing the sport you love and have already put so much time into, you will get to experience collegiate sports. You will meet new teammates who will be just as wonderful and have even more competition to look forward to at games. Playing a sport in college will really allow you to adapt to the new school a lot easier. By already being a part of a group of people, you have made the first step at becoming comfortable. College really isn't going to be that bad.

When you look back on your senior year it will be filled with memories. You will miss it. You will miss high school, your teammates, and coaches, but that doesn't make the next step any less significant to your life. Remember, you are not the only one that is going to be the new student at college. Everyone around you has experienced a sudden change in their life. It is up to you to embrace it.

Why "March Madness"?

"March Madness" is extremely popular and something almost everyone I seem to talk to is interested in. Everyone looks forward to this month, just for the simple fact that they can begin to participate in the annual bracket creations. What makes this so great and addictive to people that aren't even athletes or interested in basketball?

I think one of the many reasons so many people get caught up in this month full of basketball is because it involves innocent bets meant to be fun. So many people put their money in just for a chance to win it all. Everyone fills out a bracket and hopes to have the lucky picks. Some people participate in online bets or friendly ones with close friends. The thrill of maybe having a correct bracket leaves everyone curious and anxious for the end.

The reason why the basketball teams are getting so much recognition and sales is because everyone has invested their time in watching these games. Their brackets depend on the outcomes of these games and make watching them even better. Viewers are stressed out, yet excited to see if their team will win. If your team ends up not winning, you end up joining the pool of people who have lost the chance to win the big bucks. People will do anything for money, or recognition in any way. The competition to have the winning bracket is what makes this all so irresistible.

I have to admit that I have given in to this addictive month of basketball. Creating a bracket is extremely fun and makes watching the games just that much more interesting and I can definitely see why people love "March Madness". I have already invested a lot of my time and patience into watching many games and have stressed myself out with the devastating losses. After the first loss, you seem to be fine and still continue to watch how the games end up. Basketball is already interesting enough for me, but creating a bracket gives me even more reason to watch. “March Madness” is so popular that even after your bracket is busted, you still continue to watch all of the other games just to see how it all plays out. We all are waiting to see who the lucky winner is, if there even is one, and to find out how correct our brackets end up being.  

Benchwarmers

All athletes dream of being the star player on their high school team. You get to play the sport you love while everyone in the crowd is waiting for you to make your next move. Unfortunately, this isn't always the way it turns out to be. It isn't always how you hope it would be. As we all grow older we come to realize that there isn't equality in playing anymore. The best players on the team see the most time on the court and you must push yourself to outplay your peers. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, there will always be players better than you. This doesn't take away from your importance on the team though. The bench player is just as, if not more, important than the starters. 

Every athlete has known someone who has had the benefit and struggle of being a bench player, or been one themselves. Bench players can be some of the kindest, energetic people on the team, their smiles lighting up the room and adding to the team's spirit. They play an extremely important role on the team, whether it seems like it to them or not. Bench players are the ones who are there to always cheer their team on, no matter how well or bad they are playing. Bench players are always there to provide their teammates with support during a game and relieve them of their stress. Bench players are essentially the heart of the team.

Your team is only as great as its weakest player, but bench players are not anywhere close to being weak. Bench players are some of the most mentally tough people you will ever meet and can handle the most stressful, painful situations. No matter how much they want to be out on the court playing, they are always smiling and supporting their team. That is true passion and commitment to the sport they love.

Most athletes do not appreciate every single person on their team nearly enough. Bench players are extremely underappreciated and should be treated as a prized possession. Having someone on your team that can sit through the game they love, while waiting to be put in, and keep the smile on their face is a great thing to have. Bench players are the strongest athletes on a team and do not get enough credit for all that they do.

Multi-Sport Athletes

If you are a student athlete there is a good chance you play more than one sport. Whether it is to keep you in shape or for the love of the game, it keeps you busy that's for sure. Playing more than one sport is a great way to keep in shape during the off season of your main sport. While it may be fun to play multiple sports, some people just do not have the time. You sure will be busy!

Playing multiple sports call for long nights. If you don't get home until the late evening, you will have a rough night ahead. With having to finish homework, shower, and pack your sports bag for the next day, you have at least another two hours staying up. Prioritizing is very important. It is extremely important to try and get as much homework done during the day so that there is less to do at home, especially if it is a day where you have two practices. 

While you are always keeping busy with sports, the days you only have one practice are blessings and should not be taken for granted. I absolutely love coming home from practice, knowing I can go to bed before 11. It is a time for me to relax and actually have some time to myself, which I usually use for sleeping. 

Playing two sports is a great way to learn how to use your time. You will become more organized, hopefully, and be able to plan accordingly. It teaches you to use agendas and plan out all your extra time, which will be helpful in college. Most athletes choose to focus in on only one sport in college, but that doesn't mean you can't be a multi-sport athlete as well. By starting out playing more than one sport early on, you can begin to learn how to always use your time wisely.

There are many reasons playing more than one sport is beneficial, whether it is to stay in shape or for fun, but there are also many reasons you might not choose to be a multi-sport athlete. Making sure you can handle playing more than one sport is extremely important. I would highly recommend everyone try playing other sports, but sometimes it just doesn't fit you as an individual. Make sure to see if the pros of playing outweigh the cons, because you wouldn’t want to make a decision that will end up being too stressful. 

Sweats

The everyday life of an athlete might include waking up early in the morning to go to school after a long night of homework and practice. Athletes already do not get enough sleep and are expected to perform at their best every day. This is why a lot of athletes choose to rarely dress up. Dressing up, or even somewhat nicely is a struggle, for me at least.

Waking up early in the morning you might try to get as much sleep as possible before going to school, leaving you with only ten minutes to get ready. You might throw some sweats on and some tennis shoes to wear to school. Your hair and teeth are both brushed but your hair might not be groomed well. Athletes go to school with bags under their eyes and are falling asleep in class sometimes, but that is an everyday thing.

It is not important to dress up for school in my opinion or even look presentable, but you should definitely not wear what you wore to bed the night before. If you have good hygiene habits, but choose to wear sweats every day I am not going to stop you. I love wearing sweats because they allow me to be comfortable at school, which is something I need with the little sleep I get. I would much rather be comfortable than look nice in front of my peers, whose opinions do not really matter to me. I know myself worth and I know appearance doesn’t really matter.

When it comes to being an athlete you usually stop caring what other people think of your appearance. At practice you are a sweaty mess, who doesn’t even match their clothes half the time, so why should it matter at school? School is a place to learn, not a fashion show. Being comfortable is a priority so that you are able to focus on what is important, which is your studies. By dressing up you might be more worried about if your shirt needs to be tucked in or if it is too wrinkly. When you are wearing sweats there really is nothing to worry about, when it comes to wrinkles or appearance because it doesn’t matter how you wear it. You wear it to be comfortable, not for the looks. People should stop caring what other people think and just wear whatever they want. Who cares what’s in style and what’s not. Wear your own style.

Crocs

If you are an athlete and are looking for some comfortable shoes I have the pair for you. Crocs are made from rubber and are very durable. They clean fairly easily so you can walk through mud and wash them off the next day. These easy to slip on shoes will become your best friend in a matter of minutes.

One reason I absolutely love Crocs is because they are extremely comfortable. Put a pair of fuzzy socks on and slide those babies on and you are good to go. They fit your feet very well and do not slide off easily. The morning after a game you are just going to want to be comfortable, so put on some sweats and slide your Crocs on.

There are many different styles of Crocs, but my favorite are the classic ones or striped ones. They both are the most known style and have holes for jibbitz. Jibbitz are little rubber images you can put in the holes of your Crocs to style them up a bit. Athletes can personalize their Crocs with their favorite sports teams on them or cute little smiley faces. There are so many options to choose from when it comes to jibbitz. While there are many different styles to choose from there are also a ton of different colors as well. These things just personalize your Crocs and make them unique to yourself.

Crocs are somewhat a fashion statement that tells other people you don't care about their opinions. If you wear Crocs you might get some rude stares, but who cares when you are wearing the most comfortable shoes? Wearing Crocs is a way to put yourself out there and provide for your comfort needs. Your peers will soon become jealous of your Crocs when they realize just how great they are.

I strongly recommend athletes get Crocs to wear because they are the most comfortable thing for their feet, in my opinion, especially after a long practice or game. They make each person unique and can even become a team thing. My entire volleyball team has their own pair of Crocs and it is just something fun we do together to bring us even closer. There is no shame in having a little fun, especially when it is a quality, comfortable shoe you are buying. Even if the shoe wasn’t that great, other people’s opinions don’t matter. We don't mind the stares, we embrace them.

Spring Break

While your mind is usually always focused on sports and school, it is nice to take a break every once in a while. Spring break is a great time to do just exactly that and relax. Your family might book a trip to Mexico or plan a stay at a lodge. Each family is different and even if you are staying home, what more could you ask for? You get to sleep all day and just hang out at home. 

Don’t be upset if other people are going to warm places out of the country or on the coast and you’re stuck at home. You will get so much more done than them regarding school work and sports. Also, you will catch up on a lot more sleep than them. Who cares about being tan anyways if you are not getting enough sleep? It is always best to be grateful for whatever you have and make the most of it. I’m sure other people are staying home too and would love to find something to do.

Taking time off from sports is a great idea because it will help you not burn out. Too much of a sport can start to drag on and become extremely boring. Other people seem to never burn out and always want to be playing the sport they love. If this truly is you as an athlete, then don't be afraid to go to the gym and work on some things over spring break. Some people like the break and others don't.

Some schools have practices over spring break, which is very good to keep athletes going. However, I do not think missing practice over spring break should affect playing time or be mandatory practices. Most coaches are very good about this topic. Athletes can't always help when their family plans a trip, and sometimes do not agree on the dates, but what are you going to do?

Spring break is a time for student athletes to forget their worries for a little while and just have fun, but don't forget about any dreaded homework. If you get all your homework done on one of the first days of spring break you will not be worrying the rest of the week and will have no other responsibilities. Use your spring break wisely to fit yourself. Everyone is different and it is okay to take a break every once in awhile. That is why it's called spring break.

Sleeping In

Whether you are an athlete or just a high school student, sleep is your best friend. Sleeping in until one in the afternoon seems like a pretty great thing to do on the weekends, but to your parents it is the worst. Everyone has those parents that get angry when you sleep in, because you simply aren't using your time wisely. As a student athlete I believe this is an extremely good use of my time. 

One thing parents do not understand is that athletes do not ever get enough sleep. No matter how much time we get to sleep, we are always tired. Catching up on sleep is extremely difficult. I might get ten hours of sleep one day, which should be plenty, but since I only got five the day before I am still extremely tired. My sleep schedule for that one night does not determine how tired I am on that particular day.

Another reason athletes are always so tired is because some play multiple sports, and even if you don't you still have other responsibilities after school. Whether it is homework or chores there is always something to be done at home after practice. This is not something to complain about, but simply a fact that there is a lot to do in a day. On top of homework, chores, practice, and school you must make time for other things like taking showers or packing bags. If you get home late that means you will be up even later than normal and you might only get a couple hours of sleep. You are then expected to perform just as well as the other days at school and practice. The weekend provides a break for athletes to simply relax.

The last reason I think sleeping in on the weekend is a good idea is because it provides you with a time to relax. You are rejuvenated by the good night's sleep and are taking time off to yourself. This makes for a happier person. Parents wonder why teenagers are always so cranky. They don't get enough sleep!

If you live with a teenager don't be that person who wakes them up early to eat breakfast or simply start the day off. It's a day off. Let them spend it how they want to spend it. Teenagers need to learn how to use their time wisely on their own before going off to college and if they choose to spend the entire day sleeping, then so be it.

Rolling Out

One thing almost every athlete has in common is tight muscles. At some point in your athletic career, whether it is once a month or every day, you have experienced unbelievably tight muscles. They can ache and be extremely painful. If your muscles are not treated properly you can increase the risk of tearing them. Precautions are necessary.

Other than stretching out your muscles, as discussed early on in a different post, there are many ways to take care of your muscles. The way that is my favorite is probably rolling out. Rolling out your muscles is somewhat painful, but in a good way. It hurts, but you know it is something you really need to and should do. You can use a PVC pipe or go buy your own roller for around fifteen bucks. The little cost is definitely worth it. Rolling out your muscles will loosen them and make them feel fresh the next day. I would definitely say I need a roller during track season.

Another way you could take care of your muscles is by icing them. Many people take ice baths to relieve muscle pain. In my opinion ice baths are absolutely horrible while you are in it, but feel absolutely amazing once you are done. It might burn a little while you are waiting out the pain, but your legs will appreciate your patience. They will be fresher than ever the next morning and you will be ready to go.

Taking care of your muscles is extremely important to minimizing tears. If you happen to actually pull a muscle it is important that you do not push yourself too far the next couple of days. There is no point in pushing yourself, to risk a long term injury. Don't be afraid to take the day off. Taking care of your body is the most important thing while playing sports.

Everyone gets tight muscles so it is nothing to be ashamed of or even take lightly. Your body needs to be taken care of and that includes the occasional tight muscle. Rubbing them out might be the best solution for you as an athlete, or rolling them out. Ice baths could be your best friend while in season and stretching could be a minimizing factor. No matter the solution, every single one of those are good options. Athletes have big responsibilities and taking care of their muscles, and entire body for that matter, is just one of them.

Burning Out

While playing sports is a wonderful thing that most athletes dedicate a lot of their time to, it can also become something you do not enjoy as much as before. By playing the game you love a little too frequently, you can become burnt out. By burnt out I mean you seem to have lost the same passion you had before, or motivation in practice. This doesn't have to mean it is no longer something you look forward to throughout the day or enjoy being at, but you simply are not as motivated to succeed as well.

Becoming burnt out of the sport you play is not always going to happen. Some players will simply never lose any motivation, not because they simply love the game more. Some athletes can truly absolutely love the sport they play and still become burnt out. You just play it too much and your body gets bored of doing the same thing over and over again. There are many ways to fix this lack of motivation or enjoyment.

One thing you can do to get back in the groove is by trying a new sport. I like to balance out my schedule by playing more than one sport. This creates new goals in your head and steers your mind away from focusing on one thing. Improving in a different sport might benefit your main one. By running track you could gain endurance or quickness that would benefit your overall play in your main sport. Going from one practice to the other somewhat ensures no chance of getting burnt out.

If this doesn't work for you for some reason you might just need to take a break. If your sport is year long it might get tiring and you just need to do something else. Take a hike, go to the pool, and hang out with your friends. Sometimes you need to forget about all of your responsibilities and just take a day off. This might help you in the long run.

It is very important to keep athletes interested. If an athlete is not one hundred percent ready to go in practice because they feel burnt out, the chances are it will only get worse. It is nothing to be ashamed of if you do become burnt out. It is natural for you to suddenly get bored of the sport you love, no matter how ridiculous it sounds. If you eat your favorite food everyday for every meal you will eventually lose your appetite for it, won't you? This doesn't take away from how much you love it, but simply the fact that you need something new to flare things up.

Cell Phone Policy

While some teams don't get along very well, others can get along maybe a little too well. There are many reasons coaches create a cell phone policy during tournaments and it might be because he or she wants you to interact more with your teammates, or because he wants you to focus on the tournament. Some coaches might use both reasons for instituting a cell phone policy. In the past I have not really ever had a cell phone policy before playing club, but now it plays a big role in my behavior at tournaments.

Making sure you and your teammates stay off your phone can become difficult if someone is attached to their phone. It is important to build chemistry among you and our teammates and in order to do this you must actually interact. Cell phones get in the way of simple discussion and emotions of others. Through texts you can't truly understand how someone is feeling or see the smile on their face. There is something so much better in having a conversation face to face with someone rather than texting them. 

One reason I think having a cell phone policy is a great idea is because it allows for athletes to focus primarily on their games. There aren't any distractions outside of the arena and your mindset is on the game. Even if you talk to your parents it will probably be about how you are playing and they will not mention school or homework.

Another reason I think having a cell phone policy is a good idea is because it forces athletes to interact with their teammates and spend time with them. Yes, you may get tired of each other, but if you are scouting a team together you can discuss how to beat them, if you scout by yourself you might miss things or not have the perspectives of others. Discussing your game plan before warming up can immensely help a team.

While you might be one of those people who likes to sit in the corner with your face in your phone, you should force yourself to get off it. There are so many things you can be missing out on if your face is stuffed into your phone. The real world exists outside of that tiny little screen and athletes need to realize that phones truly aren't that important. The people around you are.

Team Bonding During Tournaments

Team bonding does play a very important role on your team. This can determine, or help the chemistry between you and your teammates. It is great to be close with your teammates and be friends outside of the sport you are playing, but sometimes that isn't always the case. My team for volleyball this year, for example, has had the best team chemistry I have ever seen. Our team is always there for each other, making jokes, having fun, laughing, smiling, and still working harder than ever. Sometimes team bonding can get a little carried away during tournaments though.

What I mean by getting carried away is that it is hard to force yourself to go to sleep early. While we are all friends and want to hang out, there comes a time that we realize why we are where we are. The sport we play has brought us together and it is important to stay focused on the goals for the weekend. Instead of staying up late to have fun with my team, I should sometimes leave the team bonding a little early in order to prepare for the long day ahead of me. It isn't as easy as it seems to leave your teammates to benefit the team in the long run, but it is something that needs to be done.

One way you could get your team to get to sleep early is by setting a time frame for your team bonding. This seems like a dumb idea and a way to create a bedtime for yourselves, but it will help you to get back to your hotel room quicker. Another way you could do this is simply by mentioning to your teammates that it is getting late and that the tournament is going to require a lot of energy. Hopefully, your teammates will realize it is time to go to bed. This doesn't always work though and you can find yourself staying up a lot later, because you are caught up with your teammates. Team bonding really is one of the greatest parts about being on a team.

You aren't always going to get the sleep you need and you aren't always going to have the best chemistry on your team, but these are things that come with playing sports. Sometimes it doesn't always work out how you want it to. Find something fun for your team to do that everyone would enjoy and you'll have a blast. 

Recruiting at Tournaments

If you are interested in playing sports in college you either have, or will, have to meet a college coach. This might also be at a tournament that you are playing in. For volleyball there are multiple qualifiers, or big tournaments, that teams can attend to be recognized by colleges. At these tournaments there are anywhere from 10-50 coaches scouting for their team. This can be very stressful, and there are many ways to cope with the anxiousness of having a coach watch you for the first time.

First off, don't let it get in your head. They are obviously watching you for a reason, so you shouldn't be worried about not being good enough. The fact that they have recognized you should make you feel pretty great. The best thing to do is just act like they aren't there. It is a normal game in which the goal is the same. You are going to want to push yourself and do your best. If they aren't interested they will usually know from the start, so you shouldn't worry too much. 

The second reason you shouldn't worry is because there are so many opportunities for you to be seen. While one coach may not be as interested in you, another could be all for. It just depends on the school, what they are looking for, and the necessities of your class. Some schools might not need you position for the class of 2016, but for the class of 2017 there are many spots open. It is important to know that sometimes there is just no room for you, and there is nothing you can do about it.

College coaches have different things they look for in athletes and there are so many things you could try to fix about yourself, but overall it is best to just be yourself. If you do end up playing the sport you love at that college, the coach will eventually find out how you actually are anyways. Stay true to yourself. 

Staying calm and collected can be very hard for others to do, so you must look to your teammates for support. They have probably gone through the exact situation, or maybe are even going through it with you. Don't let the nerves get the best of you and focus on the game. After all, it is just another game that you are trying to improve in. There is no need to get worked up simply because there is one extra person in the crowd, but it is important to acknowledge the fact that they are there and you need to give full effort. You should be giving all your effort in every situation anyways, so it shouldn't be too difficult.

Favoritism

If you are an athlete I am sure you have heard others talk about or experienced favoritism at some point in your life. Even outside of sports favoritism is alive. Whether it is teachers, friends, or coaches, they can sometimes show that they have a favorite player, student, or friend. They are not going to admit they have a favorite person, because it is not right for coaches or teachers to do that. Coaches should not choose their lineups based on the friendliest kids or the athlete with the most interactive parents, but base who plays on the most hardworking and skilled athletes.
Coaches do not always understand when they are favoring players. It can be hard to sit through a practice and watch the coach praise the same player over and over again for doing simple things. It is extremely frustrating to have one person on the team who likes to suck up to the coach and always agree with them no matter what. We all have that one teammate who will do anything for a coach. This is not a bad thing. In fact, I think all athletes should always be respectful to their  coaches no matter the circumstances and do what they ask. There comes a point though that you realize some people do it just to benefit themselves.
Playing time is not always going to be equal or fair. Yes, sometimes not the best athletes get the chance to go out there and show others what they can do. Sometimes the better athletes have to sit on the bench, but this is giving others the opportunity to improve and get reps. You are not going to get better by not playing. Be considerate to others, because not everyone is going to be equally talented. If you are the one getting the opportunity to play do not take it for granted.
Sports are a wonderful thing and provide many people with happiness outside of home and school. Favoritism is real and life isn't always as fair as you want it to be. Athletes need to understand the strength it takes to be a team player and not always want things for themselves. Being part of a team means being supportive no matter the circumstances. Teammates should always be there for each other, even if you aren't friends outside of sports. That is what being on a team calls for.

Limitations

There are many ways for athletes to be limited without having an injury, or one that can be seen for that matter. This may include many things such as asthma or an iron or sodium deficiency. I, personally, have an iron and sodium deficiency that can sometimes become hard to deal with. I overheat very easily and black out. This forces me to sit down until I can see clearly. Sometimes this might cause me to actually pass out, but I have it under control. There are ways to deal with this though, including taking iron pills and including enough sodium in your diet. Limitations can be dealt with in many ways and are simply what they sound like: factors that limit what you do. These limits can be broken or tweaked.
While it may seem difficult for someone who has, per say, asthma to compete there are ways to deal with it. I know many athletes who own inhalers that they use whenever they seem a little too out of breath. They might need to take a small break to simply re-energize themselves and give their lungs a break. It is not a bad thing to have to take a break, especially at practice. I bet if you asked most athletes they would say practices are sometimes more intense than games or meets. During games or meets you get more breaks than at practice, which provides athletes with a sense of relief. At practice you are trying to build endurance so it is a good thing to be out of breath. Athletes need to push themselves at times, but just be careful to not push too far beyond your boundaries.
If you are an athlete who has something that is limiting your performance do not be ashamed or embarrassed. It is perfectly normal to be out of breath, or need to take a break, whether it is for the same reasons as others or not. Every athlete is unique and has their own knowledge of what their body can take. After all you do know your body better than anyone else. Push yourself to achieve your goals and don't let these things get in the way. Take precautions and everything will be okay. These types of limitations should not affect whether you can play or not, unless it is a serious case. With a positive outlook, everything will be okay.

Social Media

As we all know this blog is very much about sports and the benefits they have on athletes. One of the focuses of this log is getting into college and becoming a college athlete. There are many ways to help yourself become a college athlete, as stated in previous posts, but there is one way to make sure you are looked at in a positive way. This is by controlling and minding what you post on social media. I know you have heard from multiple coaches, parents, and teachers that you need to watch what you post, but it really is very important.
The first reason it is good to filter what you post is because college coaches will look at your social media and it might affect their decision. Coaches aren't going to find someone who curses and post inappropriate comments on the internet appealing during the recruiting process. What you post on social media could truly make or break your career at some colleges. It would be extremely unfortunate to lose an amazing opportunity at a school because you thought it would be funny to tweet something inappropriate. When I say inappropriate I mean anything vulgar. You may not be a sophisticated individual, but it would benefit you to at least seem refined.
The other reason you should mind what you post on social media is because you want to seem as respectful as possible. If you want your  coaches to respect you, you have to earn it. They will never respect you if you don't even respect yourself, whether that is through social media or not. A respectful athlete is of great value and can be taught many things, but a disrespectful one will not get very far in life. Being respectful will not only help you with college athletics, but your college professors and future acquaintances. It is always good to start off on the right foot.
Social media should be taken very seriously. Just watch what you post. Ask yourself if what you are posting is in any way inappropriate. Would you be embarrassed to show an adult or authoritative figure? These are things you need to take into consideration in your everyday life. Not only will you earn the respect of your coaches, but your teammates by being a respectful person. Most people know there is a saying that respect is easy to lose, but very hard to gain.

Competing with Teammates

Sports are something many people love because it allows them to be extremely competitive and show off their skills. Sometimes this competitiveness can get very heated though. If you are on a team where you are not the best at your position it can get very frustrating. You go to practice every day and can't seem to do anything better than them. The coach seems to favor that person more than you. Sometimes you give all your effort and try so hard, but it doesn't work out. There are many ways you can be competitive with your teammates in a way that will affect the team in a positive way.

While you are on a team to become a better athlete, the people surrounding you should also be your friends. If you don't get along it is just going to start drama and nothing good comes of that. With that being said, it is also possible for you to be friendly towards someone you do not particularly like. Being friends with your teammates on and off the court is something truly great though. This builds chemistry on the team and can truly, I believe, affect the way you play. A little friendly competition never hurt anybody.

Sometimes you are not always going to be in the position you would like to be in. You aren't always going to be the best at what you do and that is super frustrating. If you give it your all and are a dedicated athlete who will do anything it takes, there is nothing more you can do about it unfortunately. There is always going to be someone better than you, but don't let this get inside your head. You can be the best to your ability and that is all that matters. It is much more fulfilling to get yourself to the highest level of play possible for yourself as an individual than to simply get yourself on a great team. You could play on a team that is extremely good, but still not reach your highest potential. It is all about what you can do and the things you will do to reach your goals.

While it is not always a favorable situation to be in, it is good to be surrounded by people better than you. This will push you to reach higher and truly see what you are capable of. Athletes can do some pretty great things with a little competitiveness and encouragement. 

ACT and Athletes

Most athletes that want to play sports in college seem to always focus on their skill level and if they are good enough to make a team. They worry about the facilities, coaches, teammates, ranking, and their playing time. Athletes seem to be blind to the fact, sometimes, that their grades actually matter too. In order to get into college there are some requirements you must meet, no matter how good you are at sports. One of the things that might be necessary is a high ACT score. 

There are many opportunities students have to take the ACT throughout junior and senior year. There is a test date almost every month, or every other month. A student can take the ACT up to as many times as they want, but of course it is going to cost you a lot of money. This is why it is better to just do well on your first or second time taking it.

As it is important to do well on this test, because it will ultimately affect the college you choose, there are many ways you can prepare yourself. The people in charge of the ACT provide students with the option to order a book, or take online practice tests. This will help students see what they need help on and give them an idea of what the test will be like.

Preparing for the ACT can be extremely stressful, and athletes might not always have the time to prepare. This is why many students, like myself, study lightly for the first test to see what they need to work on. If my scores for the math section are low, while the science scores are high, I then know that I need to work on math a lot more than science. This will take some stress of you for the first time, but later on you will really need to dig in if you don't do well the first time. 

Always remember that it is not always about if you are physically fit for the sports team at your college, but your grades need to be in tact as well. Some people even have to commit to other places simply because their grades weren't good enough for the college's criteria. School is very important and most athletes in college aren’t going to become professionals. You are going to college to get an education and it just so happens you get to play the sport you love as well. Unless you are seriously focused on going pro, focus on the academics.

The Most Important Meal of the Day

As probably all of you know, the most important meal of the day is breakfast. Over the years I have struggled to etch this in my mind. I am not a morning person and I usually wake up around lunchtime on the weekends. If you are like me, you usually don't eat breakfast. So why am I telling you that eating breakfast is important? There are many reasons you and I should comply with peer pressure and start eating breakfast.

By eating breakfast you are not only providing your body with some early morning nutrition, but waking yourself up. On Consumer Reports they state that by eating breakfast it will take longer for you to get hungry. Eric Rimm says, as stated on consumerreports.org, you might not be hungry for up to 5 hours after you eat, because your blood sugar increases and it takes a while for your body to absorb it. 

While simply eating breakfast is very important, it is also critical that you choose something healthy to start your day off. I always seem to feel gross after eating an unhealthy breakfast. We all have those teachers that tell you to get a good night's sleep and healthy breakfast when there is an upcoming test, and they aren't joking. I know I always seem to feel more prepared when I actually do choose to eat breakfast. Eating breakfast is not a habit of mine, but with recent events I have decided it will benefit me a lot.

Another reason choosing to eat breakfast every day is great is because it forces you to wake up just a little earlier. This will get you ready for the day and make you feel more energized, or at least this is how I feel. Breakfast not only provides you with food to physically help you, but mentally prepare you for the events of the day.

I know waking up early is not always something teenagers, or anyone for that matter, looks forward to. While some athletes are morning people and others, like me, sleep in until the last possible moment, breakfast should be incorporated into your day. Yes, it seems like a lot of work and might take you a while to get used to, but I think it will truly help you in the long-run. Even if you just eat a bowl of fruit or some oatmeal, you are taking a step in the right direction. 

Packing for Long Trips

Being an athlete that participates in club also means traveling to tournaments out of state. When traveling far distances there are many things you are going to want to bring with you to keep you entertained and provide you with everything necessary during the trip. While some people like to bring minimal items, others seem to be planning for a weeklong trip. Here are some things you should keep in mind when packing.

First off you will obviously need to pack all your clothes and equipment necessary for the sport you're playing. This includes jerseys, headbands, shoes, socks, sports bras if you're a girl, warm-ups, and whatever items are specific to your sport. For example if you play volleyball you will need knee pads, volleyball shoes, spandex, all of your jerseys, sometimes a headband, warm-ups, pumped up volleyball, and your team's custom bag if you have one. Other sports like softball might need bats, gloves, etc.

The next thing to keep in mind when packing is food. Always make sure you are going to have enough to eat, or plan ahead to buy food somewhere. You are going to need throughout the day and concessions can get pretty expensive. It is also usually better to bring your own food, because concessions are not always healthy even if it is at a tournament.

Another thing you might want to think about is the clothes you will be wearing when you're not playing. This can include swimsuits for your free time at the end of the day, or formalwear for team dinners. Almost every club volleyball tournament I have been to my team has had one team dinner over the weekend where all the girls dress up. You might also want to bring sweats or something comfortable to lounge around in after your tiring day.

The last thing to consider when packing that is not always necessary is something that will provide you with entertainment on your long car ride. Some people like to bring books, while others bring movies or play on their phone. I like to use my time wisely and take a much needed nap. I also bring homework with to get my studies out of the way and have a stress free weekend.

There are lots of items athletes could bring when traveling long distances. It is okay to go a little overboard, but make sure you have all the necessities first. Remember you are traveling for sports, not for a small vacation, though it may seem like that's what it is. Traveling has to be one of my favorite parts of playing club sports, because it brings memories that can never be forgotten.

College Visits

If you are an athlete that is planning on playing in college you are probably going to go on some college visits. If you are not planning on visiting colleges, athlete or non-athlete, you should seriously consider it. College visits are extremely important when choosing the best fit for you. Pictures can be deceiving and you don't get to experience the everyday life of college students. Meeting your future coach or teachers might ease your mind at the thought of going off to college. College can be scary for some people and visits are a way to make you feel more comfortable.

In order to go on a college visit you must sign up online or be personally invited by a coach or staff member. It is very easy to get a general tour of the campus, but if you're looking for something that provides you with a more in depth explanation about sports complexes or practice schedules you will want to meet with a coach. They are not always going to want to visit with you though, depending on their schedule and your skill level.

When it comes to choosing a college you don't want to decide mainly because you fit in with their sports team, but their academics as well. You should choose a school that has a major you are looking to pursue as well and accommodates your housing needs. Every school is different and might not have the same opportunities as others. It is extremely important to make sure you like all, or most, aspects of the school’s education and athletic program. After all how many people end up playing professionally after college?

I would say the best time to visit colleges is during your junior year in high school, because that is when you truly start thinking about what you want to do when you get older and people start committing midway through the year. Most college athletes I know were recruited during their junior year. It is always good to get a head start and see what you might be getting yourself into. With this being said, it is not too late to look into colleges during your senior year either. I am sure there are plenty of colleges that would love to have you, but sports is a different story. If the team already has a set roster, you are out of luck. 

Holiday Training Tips

Staying in shape can already be tough to do with a normal schedule, but how do you stay fit over the holidays? This can be extremely difficult for athletes to do, because it is essentially a break from sports. Most teams will have a few practices over break, but most of the time is spent however you choose to use it. When deciding between working out and staying home to watch some television, most of us are going to like the idea of sitting at home better. There are many ways to motivate yourself to work out during the couple of weeks you're off.

If you are a high school athlete you might struggle to motivate yourself throughout break, but as a college athlete this is not acceptable. College athletes are in charge of making themselves follow a strict workout schedule that must be done or they will suffer the consequences. I have learned from my cousin, who attends a Division 1 school that working out is extremely important and that they have to weigh in to prove they have stayed in shape. It is a lot easier to find yourself skipping workouts when you are in college, because the breaks last up to a month. Your fitness can decrease a ton in this amount of time.

One way you can find some motivation to workout is by going to sleep early so that you are able to wake up early. Instead of going to bed at 12:00am you can go to bed at 10:00pm. This will allow you to wake up around 8:00 with no problem and let you start your day off early. Waking up early always seems to help me get tasks done throughout the day. If I wake up at 11:00am I usually don't start doing anything until around 12:30pm, because I need to eat lunch. Starting your day off early could help you get the motivation you need.

Another way you could gain some motivation is by getting a membership to a gym. This will put pressure on you to actually go since you are paying for it. No one wants their money to go to waste. Seeing other people around you putting in hard work might push you to work a little harder as well. It is always nice to get a little encouragement every now and then as well.

Finding motivation can be very difficult and it's a whole lot easier to just sit on the couch and play on your phone. Think about all the time you spend on your phone compared to how much time you spend working out during break. If more time is spent on your phone and you are an athlete you are doing something wrong. Think of the consequences not working out will have on your body. Lifting weights is extremely beneficial in sports and is something I believe all athletes should do.