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Inline Skating Exercise Benefits
Inline skating is an enjoyable way to get in shape and stay fit especially on warm sunny days when it's a lot more enjoyable to exercise outdoors than on a treadmill or exercise bike indoors at the gym. These days most cities have nicely paved...

Minding your tennis court manners
Tennis and racquetball can be a great way to burn up some excess calories, burn off some steam, and spend some quality time with your coworkers and friends. While all of us were beginners at one time and failed to observe some of the finer points in...

Overcome Sports Pain After 40 -- Are There Remedies? Part 1.
Have you noticed that you seem to have more pain in places like your back - knees and ankles as you age -- especially after forty. These nagging pains can hinder your ability to live an active life style and enjoy sports. In this two-part article...

Sports View for March
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Youth Sports Goal Settings
New Year's day means different things to different people. Certainly, spending time with family and friends and watching some great college bowl games. In our house, a new year also means making resolutions. It started about 15 years ago when my...

 
Borderline Division 1? How To Make It

As a former NCAA Division 1 Athlete, I have parents ask me quite often what their son or daughter needs to do in order to make it to the highest level of college athletics.

First, mom and dad need to know where they fit in the equation to success. Parents cannot be the primary motivator. If a kid is not self-motivated to be on the field or in the gym early and often, I would say he does not have what it takes. No matter how hard a parent pushes, kids will ultimately change only if their heart is committed. A parent must be the primary encourager, not a micro-managing know-it-all. Too many parents try to implement their own agendas in their child’s lives as opposed to providing guidelines, guardrails, and “good-jobs” along the way.

Second, if you are a “borderline athlete” – not one of the top players in the nation being recruited by the top schools – then you must focus on nutrition and training to engrain. High sugar & high fat diets are not going to help you get that extra burst of quickness that you need to beat your competition. Do not be fooled by the professional athlete on a McDonalds commercial, even professional athletes follow a strictly regimented diet. Oddly enough, you will see some college athletes with horrible diets. Again don’t be deceived;


these individuals and their teams do not compete for championships. Eating right is followed by training right. Training to engrain is simply training the brain. By performing the correct sport-specific moves, positions, and exercises day in and day out, your brain will automatically react & execute in game situations. Too many athletes waste their training time doing the wrong exercises the wrong way.

Lastly, you must give your all (but not your life). In order to truly “make it” in life, you must put NCAA Division 1 in its proper place. Remember that you are in control and that it is not appropriate for sport to control you. Keep in mind, productive relationships, education, and having a positive impact on your community are top priorities. Do not let being an athlete define you, rather focus on being yourself, learn from your mistakes, and execute as best you can. Timing and teams-needs will play a major role in where you end up, so control what’s in your court and don’t stress over the rest.


About the Author

Currently CEO OF GoLo Sport, Hugh Breland is a former Baylor University Basketball Letterman and Texas High School Basketball stand-out. He is a nationally recognized speaker and consultant.
For more information visit www.GoLoSport.com

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