Do you want to stop sitting on the bench or standing on the sideline, watching, while your team competes? Then you have to become the Go-to-Person. Go-to-Persons are among the athletes who play most of the time. They are athletes who coaches trust and believe would successfully execute their teams’ plans. They are the athletes who can be counted on to do their job right, consistently.
The Go-to-Persons are the ones who get it done. They are the athletes who make things happen to lead their teams to success or a win.
I don’t want to do that. Someone else will do it.
I might mess up. I don’t want to be embarrassed or get into trouble.
What should I do? Coach didn’t tell me what to do. Did Coach tell me?
Why is Coach not playing me? I know I can play better than some of them.
The above reflects the attitude I had early in my college career. You may ask, “What’s wrong with that attitude?”
If these statements came from any of your teammates, would you think they would deserve to play? Would you be concerned about your team winning? Look at it another way. If you were on the playground, would you pick any of them to be on your team?
No. You would want the Go-to-Person.
You would want the person who is reliable, shows confidence, and consistent. You would want the one who shows the team, and the coach, she knows what to do in her position, and will do it just about every time called upon, and anytime needed.
The Go-to-Persons are eager to take instruction from their coaches. They are also among the best at their position. This is part of the reason coaches have confidence in them.
You want to play? Find out what your coach wants and needs, and do it.
Be the best one for the job.
Also, Go-to-Persons are athletes who take the initiative in intimidating situations. They confront challenges, against the team, with actions to lead to success. They recognize situations that call for something to be done, and do it without being told to do so. They don’t hide and then reappear when someone else steps-up.
The Go-to-Persons are bold. They are the athletes who have the attitude that says, “I’ll do it! I got this!”
I encourage you to become one of these athletes, the Go-to-Person. Begin by paying attention to your coaches’ instructions, and game situations, to understand and be prepared for what your coaches and team will need. Do what is asked of you to best of your ability. Practice and find ways to improve in your position. Step-up in scoring, defense, and/or look for opportunities for you to help your team beat the competition.
Tune in for Part 2 of this article to learn what to personally expect when you are the athlete who is the Go-to-Person.
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Browse my website geralinelhandsome.com (Athlete’s Voice to Integrity) for more information about how to become a super athlete.
About the Author: Geraline L. Handsome has developed a passion to help high school and college athletes of team sports discover their identity. She is a former Women’s Basketball Player for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). There she earned a B.S. degree in chemistry/mathematics. She has a MBA from the University of Phoenix. She is an Environmental Scientist and the mother of two. She is the author of the book Sins of One Woman’s Mind and was a Huffington Post Contributor.
Geraline L. Handsome has developed the Creating the Super Athlete Course (Audio/Video), a product designed to help parents and coaches help their athletes develop attitudes and character that will enable them to perform better in their sport, in the classroom, and in public.
