BFF Lacrosse: Are you a competitor?  

When I speak with clients all over the country,  players are always asking how they can stand out at clinics, camps, or prospect days.  Although, scoring, speed, stick skills, etc are VERY important… another trait that coaches ask me all the time is “Is this player a competitor”?

So what does that even mean?  Are you a competitor?  If these characteristics don’t describe you fully- then it’s something you can work on!  It is controllable!  

Self reflection and feedback are some of the most important characteristics of player development.  If you have a mentor/coach that can help provide this for you then just ASK! 

If not, we are always here to HELP!

HERE ARE 7 TRAITS OF HIGHLY COMPETITIVE ATHLETES:

Who are some of sports top competitors? 

When I think of some of the top competitors some names that come to mind are: Billie Jean King ( who paved the way for us female athletes), Serena Williams, Pat Summitt, Mia Hamm, Simon Biles,  Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Brett Favre, Derek Jeter, Wayne Gretzky, Martina Navratilova.  These athletes have these traits below that drive them to become the best of all times.

1- Have a burning desire for a challenge and convert every opportunity into a competition.

"I'm a competitor. I'm liable to take you on in just about anything, whether cooking, or jogging, or arm wrestling." - Pat Summitt

Competitors love a challenge and an opportunity to compete with themselves and/or others.  They look to achieve high success in practice, and the weight room.  They also love to win in a game of bingo at home!  These athletes strive for a certain “high” from competing and they will do anything and everything to focus their attention on a specific goal or outcome (aka winning).   They love raising standards and achieving small goals each day.  They are constantly trying to become the best version of themselves!

2- Always setting goals for themselves 

These people are very driven to achieve the highest possible goals and levels of success they can.  It can be on the field, in the classroom, or really anything they do.  They are very outcome focused.  They work hard and invest their time into doing what is necessary to get to their outcome.  Meaning- they might have to skip a social event, or choose to go to bed early instead of staying up on social media.  They care more about success than letting the small distractions get in their way.

3-HATE TO LOSE MORE THAN THEY LOVE TO WIN

Competitors hate to lose.  Losing triggers a feeling that they did not prepare enough.  This is their motivation- they are motivated by fear of failing.  This fear allows them to do whatever is possible to prepare and analyze their game so they don’t feel this way again.  After a loss- they study video, they come early or stay late to get extra reps, they do whatever it takes to prepare themselves to never feel that way again.

4-Play with Passion and Emotion

Competitors know how much they have invested and have prepared so they have a strong sense of passion and emotion for their  craft.  They don’t just show up to practice and games- they have spent hours preparing physically, mentally, and emotionally every single day.  So that passion and emotion comes with knowing they have done everything possible to be ready for this opportunity.  THEY CARE DEEPLY!

5-Play with something to prove

That next level type of athlete you see.  The one that will chase down the ball.  The one that bulldozes through ground balls.  They constantly play with something to prove.  A chip on their shoulder- they will do anything possible to win. These are the players that coaches LOVE to see. You can stand out I promise!!

6-Have Pride in what they do

Competitors understand that the details matter.  They make sure they touch the line, they have dotted their I’s and crossed their T’s!  They show up and are ready to play for the name on the front of their jersey. They make sure everyone is held accountable. They are the gritty, relentless, hustlers. They know that they are playing for something bigger than themselves!

7-Confident and optimistic

Because they have done the work, they understand that preparation is the key to success- competitors walk on the field every single day confident because they know they have controlled what they can!  They have a positive outlook and care for their teammates deeply because they know that even if you fail- that is just feedback.  And they will get better because of it.