Lessons from Athletics: Self-Evaluation

In a new series of blog posts, we are going to explore some of the common lessons taught directly or indirectly by athletic training and competition. We would love your feedback on the best lessons from athletics. Please share your suggestions for topics at blog@tullyteam.com. 

One of the biggest changes when moving from high school to collegiate athletics is the overwhelming amount of film study. As an Offensive Lineman on a Football team, for every two hours of practice we had, we watched an hour of film. Professional athletes can spend up to 5 hours a day studying film.  

At first it is uncomfortable and difficult to watch yourself on film especially when your head coach is behind the playback controls. As I matured in my program, I realized that each replay of the clip was a form of simulation. Although the mistakes I made were in the past, I was simulating each movement mentally. This process allowed for accelerated improvement and made the limited time on the actual practice-field more valuable. 

This frequent, specific, and public feedback is a fundamental aspect of sports training. The ability to seek and provide this feedback to oneself is a huge advantage over those that are used to the more common feedback given in the academic and professional setting: in-frequent, generic, and private. 

Seeking feedback, responding to it constructively, and sharing timely feedback with peers are just a handful of the reasons why former athletes are such amazing teammates in any setting.