So Is This a Honeymoon Phase? Be Prepared for the Long Haul
By Dr. Ruth Ann Tetz, Sports Psychologist for The University of Toledo Department of Athletics
April 8, 2020
As days blend into each other, it’s becoming more apparent that this really is a marathon and not a sprint. How we deal with the growing realization that this new way of living might be with us for awhile is something our UToledo student-athletes are supremely prepared to successfully navigate. The unknown is typical for them (where will we play? how much playing time will we get? what event will we compete in? and so on). But as the days drag on, the unknown takes on a different spirit. What had seemed like a a break from a relentless physical and mental cycle, is now life as we know it.
What might have seemed to be a brief vacation, might not seem that way as we continue to live this forced separation from our teammates and coaches. Yet, you’ve got this!
As a young child, you learned the sport that you currently excel in, with help from parents or coaches or teammates. And then you learned how to accomplish even more, whether it was by becoming physically stronger or faster or more adept at some skill you might not have thought you would ever master. And you learned to deal with adversity and mental pressures, as well as how to get along with coaches and teammates, or embrace a team culture. All of this has set you up to be successful even as you look into an unknown future.
So how did you learn to be successful? While each of you undoubtedly used a variety of different paths, there were likely some common themes. One of those themes is that you undoubtedly broke your preparation into chapters. It would be confusing if you read a whole book at once. Instead you read chapter by chapter. When you reach this level of competition, so much of what you do is automatic. Now with the time available, you are offered the opportunity to focus on basics so that each skill that made you a college student-athlete becomes even more automatic. You understand that muscle memory that you’ve learned to develop through your routines makes you better. Now is a great time to return to what you practiced in an earlier time. Use this time to make your routines even more beneficial.
Why start now? As you are guessing, there is no way to know when we will be released to return to our normal lives. Maybe it will be weeks, maybe even months. (Hard to imagine but it could be months!) But let’s start with the idea that it could be months. It it were going to be that long, what would your strategy be? If it were going to be weeks, what would your strategy be? Given that there is no way to know, what is your strategy? This is where your past experience gives you an advantage. As a youth athlete you were competing with a many others. What set you apart? Undoubtedly, you were given the gift of genetics. But many have been blessed with good genes and did nothing with that advantage. But you DID! You worked harder! So, that first theme of breaking this current challenge into chapters and working your program takes on even more importance. When we are released to return to our teams, you will be ready. Because you used this time to prepare. Because you worked harder. Your team and your dreams are what you are fighting for.
I hope you are remembering to focus on your successes and that scheduling activities will help you feel more in control during these challenging days. You are facing times no one has ever faced in our history. Awareness of the global scope, and the ability for each to do our part and protect each other makes this an historic time. Take off for the skies, Rockets. You’ve got this!
Go Rockets!
NOTE: Dr. Tetz is sending regular communications to Rocket student-athletes throughout the current health crisis.
Previous Rocket Blogs
Why I Buy Season Tickets (April 5, 2020)
A Promising Season Ends in Surreal Fashion (April 1, 2020)
Coming Together as a Team to Help Sara (March 31, 2020)
Isolation Can Make Time Management a Challenge For Students (March 28, 2020)
Many Challenges Are Ahead for Rocket Athletics (March 25, 2020)
Waking Up From a Perfect Dream to Face a New Reality (March 20, 2020)
Saranlak Tumfong Begins Fight Against Cancer (March 19, 2020)
Healthy Ways to Deal with Anxiety During a Health Crisis (March 18, 2020)
A Note From the Athletic Director: Stay Strong Rocket Nation! (March 17, 2020)
How Can We Live Without Sports? For Now, We Must (March 14, 2020)
