How To Spot a True Athlete

I talk a lot about the physical training althetes should be doing in order to improve their athletic ability, but what about the other stuff?  How can we as coaches sort the true athletes to those who are jus naturally strong, fast or talented at the game?

Whilst natural talent cannot be taught, I do believe that athleticsm can. True athletics transcends the physical training a player completes on a weekly basis and is instead about the whole package. Whilst the drilling, sprints and weight training is important, you want your players to think, prepare and reflect like athletes if you want them to be on top of their game. 

So, how would I spot an athlete? Below I’ve outlined a typical session and the actions I would expect players to take without coach input or instruction – simply because they know it will them to excel their game. 

Pre-Game Activation and Prep

Players should be looking to fill the time before the start of a session warm up or game warm up to activate and prep their muscles for the activity. All athletes should have some sort of resistance band and/or programme in their bags to help them with some simple activation exercises to help to fire up their quads, glutes, calfs and core in preparation for their session. 

This is also the time where I would expect players to be completing individual ball skills to help prepare their muscles and their mind for the game. Shooters might take some shots, the players might do some close up ball and wall work. Nothing too intense, but something to get them primed and ready. 

During the session

Payers will take care to execute skills correctly rather than just going through the motion. They will understand the purpose of a ‘clear and drive’ drill for example and actively try to clear their defender away at speed whether the defender is present in the drill or not. They will take care not to footwork when passively passing and they will be thinking about how certain drills and scenarios relate to an aspect of their game. 

When working in groups, they will be enoucouraging to other players both through motivating them through the practice and pushing them to work that little bit harder. Before match play they will reflect on the session and their performance and set themselves targets for the game to achieve, trying to build the sessions focus into their play and find a way to implement it on the court. 

After the session

Players should be able to recover effectively and consciously on their own. Making sure to stretch immediately after the session, refuel, rehydrate and to to put any other recovery methods into place when they return home. 

Players should also be reflective of the session. They should keep a training diary and note down what was covered in their session, how they implemented it into their performance and how they feel they can improve next time. If there was a video recording of the session players should reflect on their performance in this way too. They should check for understanding with their coach if things are unclear or make a note to re-practice the skill again in their own time. 

Away from the court

Players should make a conscious effort to improve their game individually. Whether this be following prescribed strength, conditions and skill practice sessions or to improve their knowledge of the sport. 

Players should be dedicated to ‘learning the game’. The best way t ofter do this is to watch the game and reflect on performance; whether that be international games, national games or their own performances. They should immerse themselves completely in the sport and be dedicated to improve both their knowledge and physical ability. 

In all, players should be independent in wanting to improve their game. They do not have to do all of the above, but they should be showing willingness to learn, improve and tackle new tasks without ‘nagging’ from their coach. 

If I can have a conversation with a player about a recent international game performance, see an athlete completing their banded work on the side of the court while their teammates gossip, or notice a player has put into practice a skill they have been working on, then I know that they are going to excel.