Copiado de TEAMUSA.org

BY NICK SALEN, USA FIELD HOCKEY'S SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR | OCT. 28, 2019, 11:42 A.M. (ET) Each athlete has a reason to gear up, lace up and put their game face on every time they take the field. Whether a newcomer, a seasoned student-athlete or veteran in their prime, it takes a lot to get to that point. It requires commitment, teamwork and personal accountability, but in the end is all worth it to represent those colors and the name on the front of that jersey. There are no shortcuts to get there, no magic formula, fast track to the top, corners to skip or excuses to give. Being an athlete comes down to personal determination and accountability to be the best you can be, and better than yesterday. Nothing comes easy. When acknowledging that sentence, think about how serious you are in playing the game you love. It’s more than just wanting to show up every day for the love of the game and having personal accountability. How much value is put in moving the needle every day from “good” to “outstanding?" What are you willing to sacrifice to earn the right to represent the team name? The answers will come as soon as tryouts approach when you wonder if your individual effort is going to make the difference between making the roster or trying again next season. Before that happens, it’s important to remember that positions aren’t just handed out, they are earned, and nothing worthwhile is easily attained. It’s not the US Navy SEALs but the concept is the same: “The only easy day was yesterday.” To get where you are or want to be, it means working a little bit harder today than 24 hours ago, to make Monday’s routine seem like a stroll in the park compared to what Tuesday or Friday can be. It starts as soon as the bag hits the ground at practice. Each sprint, drill and play to the whistle carves out the athlete within, one drop of sweat at a time. Your chest might feel tight and muscles aching, but that feeling is only temporary. What awaits on the other side is an athlete that proved he/she gave it all when it mattered. It also means participating when it’s optional, being one of the first to arrive and last to leave. No one can fill in for you to see the desired results. Cutting corners or stopping shy of 100 percent will only hold one back. It’s not easy, but the grind is invaluable. Not being on the field doesn’t mean things get easier either. In the weight room that same effort is as pivotal as putting it all on the field. Remember, athletes only cheat themselves by skipping their routine when possible. No one gets better by missing out on their turn on the machines, nor do athletes improve by going light on the dumbbells when it’s not asked of them. Every session is valuable, to the person doing one more push-up than yesterday to the ones coaching to the limit. When game day comes, that extra production will be apparent to everyone watching. You will have shown that getting to that point took everything you had to reach the peak. Just like you, everyone else on the field has done the same thing to earn the right to play for the name on the front of that jersey. It does not matter what level of the game, what matters is holding a stern sense of personal accountability. There will always be a tomorrow, but today always strive to push past your own expectations. Treat every moment as mandatory, but always remember, it’s not easy being great.