The youth sports environment is becoming more and more competitive each and every day. Athletes are joining teams, specializing at an early age to hone skills and parents are seeking the best opportunities for their children on and off the field. I can appreciate the dedication of all families and the attention given to the success of their young athletes. However, I see a great deal of influence coming from outside or external motivation. For example showcases, national rankings, travel ball clubs, and the list goes on an on. But the ultimate edge with any successful athlete comes from internal motivation and the love of the game. This internal motivation is the ultimate edge and is founded in the what I call, the 3 C’s: commitment, consistency, and communication.
Commitment is a promise to do or give something. This promise is filled with loyalty to specific goals and objectives. The attitude of someone who works very hard to achieve success. Consistency is a steadfast adherence to the same principles, course and or form. There is consistency in patterns of behavior to follow a plan of success. The agreement is harmonious and compatible, especially when pursuing goals. Communication is a two-way process of reaching mutual understanding, in which athletes not only exchange information, ideas and feelings but also create and share meaning. In general, communication is a means of connecting people.
Communication with parents, coaches, teachers, trainers, schools, family members are imperative to the success of the young athlete. The key to communication is effective communication. Effective communication is the ability to have a unified understanding with all parties. Basically, mean what you say, say what you mean and all parties involved say the same thing and mean the same thing. Bottom line, when decisions are made for the young athlete on goals, objectives, and priorities all parties are on the same page, common ground.
All 3 C’s combined create a powerful, sustainable and unbreakable chord that reminds the young athlete of their true purpose. Therefore by engaging the 3 C’s the young athlete is not only prepared for the challenges of the competitive sports world but has the internal motivation to realize the dream of being the best. Now young athletes, go out and be confident because you have the ultimate edge, the 3 C’s: commitment, consistency, and communication.
Coach Reggie Ward
University of Notre Dame-88Õ
Assistant Athletic Director
ChampionÕs Quest Athlete Academy
562-598-2600
