What All Great Players Do: And How You Can Replicate Their Success

The contrast between what great players do and average players do is much smaller than what you believe.

It usually comes down to the mindset, habits, and work ethic that creates the separation. An average player can become great by implementing some or all of the characteristics described below.

Characteristics of Great Players

Focus

Great players keep their eye on the prize and don’t let their focus shift to other things. They understand the task at hand and put in the work to achieve it.

If the goal is playing at a Division 1 school – all of their focus will be geared towards achieving that milestone. The great player will do everything in their control to make it happen.

A great high school athlete going through the college recruiting process won’t let one bump in the road throw them off course. They’ll pick themselves up and focus on controlling what they can control.

Keep your focus inward and don’t let outside influences impact what you’re trying to accomplish.

Work First, Play Later

All elite athletes have the mindset of work first and play later. Not until after you have gotten your workouts in for the day should you go chill with friends or relax.

That is why you often see professional players working out early in the morning so they can have the rest of the day to do whatever they want.

If you are planning to play in college you have to start training like it. High school lifts and workouts won’t get the job done at the next level.

Start training your mind and body for what to expect at the collegiate level.

Great players understand that to get better they need to be improving a little bit each and every day. Work first, play later and you’re already on your way to greatness.

Practice Like You Play

When the pressure is on, you don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to your highest level of preparation.

That is why great players treat practice just as seriously as games. They realize the importance of preparing the mind and body for any situation that could arise.

An example is knocking down a game winning shot. A great high school player heading to play division one basketball after high school wants the ball in his hands at the end of the game.

The average player will shy away from the limelight or pass the ball to someone else for the final shot.

Practice is also where great players separate themselves from the pack. Michael Jordan is notorious for pushing his teammates to the limit because he understood that he needed them to be ready for big moments as well.

Leaders often emerge in practice by setting the right example and competing hard every day.

Your game will take a big leap when you begin to practice like you play.

Teamwork

Great players understand the importance of being a great teammate and how individual success is correlated to the strength of the team collectively. The better the team, the more noticed the player.

All the best players in the world seem to be on championship caliber teams because they bring up the level of play of those around them.

Start being a better teammate and you’ll reap the individual rewards that come along with it.

Learning the art of teamwork will also serve you well in your career post-sports. Employers love to hire athletes because they understand how to work well in teams.

Attitude

This is one of the few things you can control day in and day out. Great players have an amazing attitude no matter the circumstances.

It says a lot of about someone when they can remain positive through a tough time. Not everything is going to happen as planned, but keep your attitude on track and you’ll fall in line sooner or later.

Positivity will take you a lot further in life than negativity.

Nutrition

All great players take care of their bodies. Too many athletes realize this late in their career after many injuries and setbacks.

You should be concentrating on how to get the most out of your body. It requires proper rest, recovery, rehab, sleep, and eating. Besides whey protein shakes and creatine, take it easy on the supplements as natural products are much better.

If you want to perform at the top of your game then your body needs to be prepared.

To be the best – you have to treat your body the best.

Confidence in Oneself

Having confidence in oneself is maybe the most important attribute that all great athletes share. These players not only love big moments, but want the game in their hands when it’s do or die.

Great players didn’t start out on top, but by believing in themselves they were able to keep leveling up their game.

These players don’t get discouraged when a coach doesn’t offer them a scholarship. They have confidence in their game and know the right one will come along eventually.

That is why they have great success when contacting college coaches because they are extremely confident.

Don’t misinterpret confidence with cockiness. Once you have confidence in yourself, there is no limit to how far you can go as long as your effort and work ethic continue to grow as well.

And remember, the cream always rises to the top.

Great Players Get What They Want

The best of the best always seem to get exactly what they had in mind. Whether that’s a scholarship, championship, or MVP award.

One thing many athletes overlook is the impact of speed, agility, and athleticism. Coaches will often take a player who isn’t as talented, but is more athletic, solely based on their raw potential.

Don’t settle for mediocrity. If you want to take your game and college recruitment to new heights then you’re mindset needs to shift today.

Don’t wait because colleges are filling up roster spots as you read this and before long they’ll all be gone.

Wrapping Up…

The difference between a good player and an average one is pretty small. 

The difference between a great player and an average one is quite large. 

I challenge you to step up your game in all areas of life. You weren’t meant for mediocrity.

Aim to be great! It’s much more rewarding. 

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