How Athletes perform on a high standard
By: Ally Zomberg
“¨These actions speak louder than coaches”
Student-athletes are held to a higher standard of play, no matter what sport or institution they attend. Athletes gain an understanding of how to be leaders both on and off the field while performing at the recommended standard.
Leaders. Leaders are key for a healthy communication and team. They are known for their focus, sense of motivation, and innate ability to bring out the best in both themselves and those around them.
All teams have a leader, to promote ability and high standards.
Coach Philip Koops, speaks about leadership on his sports team, “if the standard is known and the standard is high, then leaders will emerge and try to push and help their teammates to reach the standard.”
While difficult to assess or measure, the ‘zone’ or ideal performance state, is often reported as being a balance of excitement and awareness, involving deep concentration and full immersion in the activity where athletes experience high levels of skill mastery and self-confidence.
Since athletics are extracurricular and a privilege, they should be held to a higher standard. You admit to it and recognize it as a part of participation.
Hamilton High School Coach, Philip Koops, was asked why in his opinion, athletes performing at a high standard on the field are so important. Coach states, “To maximize the player’s talent and preparation you have to have high standards. If everything was “ok’ or “alright” then why go to practice and play the games” If that is the case, he believes That’s not being a competitor and it’s not going to make the sport the rich growing experience that we want for the athlete.
During the 2023 season at Hamilton High School, The football coaches came together to recognize an outstanding athlete. He wasn’t their best player but that would penalize that individual for being a great player and that isn’t what they’re looking to do.
They’ve agreed that, Ben Boehm always practiced hard, was focused on the details, played with passion, and did everything he could to meet and exceed the standard all of the time.