Not “If” but “When” Your Moment Arrives!

During practice, we frequently preach “go hard…at full speed, just like a game!”

That reminder is easy to accept when you are a starter at your position.  You know you will see 20 to 30 minutes of game action.  You know you can be a difference maker.  There is an easy connection between practicing hard and your impact on the game results.

But what if you sit as a second, third or fourth stringer?  What then?  Even if you practice hard, the “plan” is for you to play very little or maybe not at all.

If you don’t plan on playing, you simply won’t practice effectively.  And if your moment comes, you won’t be ready.

The approach must not be “if” you get your chance.  It must be about “when” that chance arrives.  Consider these facts:

1) At the beginning of the 2010-11 season, Kevin Kolb was expected to be the Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback.   He was injured.  Michael Vick was not only “scheduled” to replace Kolb, he was prepared to replace him.  Vick took the opportunity and won the starting quarterback job.  Vick also has earned consideration of MVP honors.

2) Going into the NFC Championship Game vs. the Packers, Jay Cutler was scheduled to start as quarterback for the Chicago Bears.  In the second quarter, a knee injury sidelined Cutler.  Second string quarterback Todd Collins was also pulled from the game.  So third string quarterback Caleb Hanie entered and led the Bears to a comeback, nearly defeating the Green Bay Packers.  By being prepared, Hanie earned the enormous respect from teammates, coaches and fans.  More importantly, he earned himself future opportunity because he produced when in the spotlight and under pressure.

3) During the 2010-11 season, the Green Bay Packers team suffered 15 roster changes that gave second and third stringers a chance to play.  Despite the turnover in personnel, the Packers made the playoffs.  And on Sunday, February 6, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the Super Bowl.

Each of those 15 back-ups prepared….not “if” but “when” their moment would arrive.

That’s the key difference.  Great opportunities are seized when you believe the opportunity will arrive.  Athletes must have faith they will get a chance.  When they bring that faith to practice, they will practice more effectively and gain much more.

And when (not “if”) they take advantage of that opportunity, that is the greatest reward sports can offer - for both the athlete and the coach that supported that athlete.