Resiliency in a student athlete: Demanding but possible to achieve. By David Adkins

What I hope to accomplish from this presentation Define Resiliency How stress effects the body Identify some stressors faced by teens Identify different challenges faced by student-athletes How they can stay positive

Define Resiliency Resiliency is the persons ability to bounce back. Take the events that happen in your life and find the positive. This is something inside you from birth.

Define Resiliency Cont’d. Babies and children access it easily At play –Kids fight over toys and play resumes shortly after –Kids bounce back quickly. –At right is my son, born 9 weeks premature and at his 1year birthday party.

How stress can effect the body Major Risk Factors –Heart attack –Stroke –Hypertension Minor Risk Factors –Headache –Neck pain –Ulcers

Identify some stressors faced by teens Parent/Teacher influence –Grades –SAT/ACT scores –Homework –Household chores Peer influence –Parties/social gathering –Dances –Phone calls/Text messages –Drugs including alcohol

Challenges Faced by Student- Athletes Time Constraints Physical Exhaustion Diet Important Pressure from Coaches Pressure from Parents Pressure from other Athletes

Challenges Faced by Student- Athletes: Time Constraints In Season Practice –2 to 4 hours after school –Learning schemes/plays –Learning opponents schemes/plays –Physically demanding Off Season Practice –Long exhausting workouts –2 to 3 hours 3 days per week –Lifting weights, plyometrics, and conditioning all year long –3 week spring practice in June

Challenges Faced by Student- Athletes: Time Constraints Less time to spend with friends Physically and mentally tired Still required to perform well in school and with chores Less time with girlfriend/boyfriend

Challenges Faced by Student- Athletes Physically Exhaustion –Workouts are long whether in or out of season –Athletes are challenged to push themselves and their teammates to strive to be better Diet Important –Athletes should control their diet –Drink more water than normal, NO POP!!! –Lean protein, fruits, and vegetables –Limit amount of grease and fat

Challenges Faced by Student- Athletes Pressure from Coaches –Always strive to be better while keeping a positive attitude –Whether lifting, running or practicing, always do your best –Be present at every practice, workout session, and game

Challenges Faced by Student- Athletes Pressure from Parents –Many times student is expected to be the star both on the field and in classroom –Parents can be a very negative influence Making inappropriate comments about other players or coaches

Challenges Faced by Student- Athletes Pressure from other Teammates –One purpose of training and competing is to win but this is not the ONLY purpose –Encourage teamwork –Teaches kids to trust each other –Build positive self-esteem –Stay positive even in the face of adversity

How can they stay positive With all of these different challenges it is easy to get burned out Plan to make the most of your free time –Movies –Camping –Fishing –Mall –Hanging out with friends

How can they stay positive: Don’t dwell on the negative When you make a bad play: –Identify the cause –Decide how it could have been avoided –Move forward; tell yourself it is not the end of the world and you have learned from it When others make a bad play: –Encourage them –Tell them they WILL do better next time –Help them find the best plan to avoid that mistake

How can they stay positive Focus on small victories –Celebrate getting even a little bit faster, stronger, etc. –Pat each other on the back and high five simple achievements –ALWAYS encourage the progress and achievements of every athlete, especially the younger players, not just the star