Top 10 Character Traits to Instill in our Young Athletes
After informally surveying approximately 50 individuals, including athletic parents, collegiate athletes and coaches from all different sports and levels, these were the top 10 lessons to emphasize and pass down to our young athletes.
1) Do your best; No one can ask you anything more than to give it your all.
2) Train hard and you will feel the reward.
3) Maintain healthy attitudes when it comes to both winning and losing
4) Its not over until the clock reads zero - don't give up
5) Have fun
6) Respect and listen to your coach
7) Play fair; Play with integrity
8) Maintain a positive attitude
9) Never blame anyone but yourself
10) Learn from your mistakes
It certainly would not hurt for all of us, athlete or not, to review these simple lessons; they apply as much to life in general as to life on the field or court.