Being a Well-trained Athlete Isn’t Enough
By Jim Taylor, Ph. D.
One of the questions I’m asked most frequently from athletes, coaches, and parents is: “What does it take to be a successful athlete?” For any athlete who wants to be their best, this is no easy question, yet one that is worth asking and worth even more to answer.
First, let me address how I define ‘successful athlete.’ Contrary to many people in the sports world, I don’t define the phrase in terms of objective criteria such as a college athletic scholarship, signing a professional contract, or being named to an Olympic team. These standards are so statistically unlikely that becoming a successful athlete would be absolutely meaningless to every young athlete except the very rare few. I define a successful athlete as being someone who fully realizes their abilities. That is, whatever inborn talent they have, they max it out through committed, long-term development.
With that said, being well trained is, as the scientific axiom goes, “a necessary, but sufficient condition” for athletic success. What that means is that you need to be well trained to be a successful athlete, but being well trained alone is enough to be a successful athlete.
What do I mean by ‘well trained?” Well, consider the areas of athletic performance that must be developed to fully maximize your abilities:
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Physical
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Technical and tactical skills
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Mental
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Nutrition
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Sleep
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