"I've been thinking alot about you since dads last email sharing you couldn't make Mondays training session. I received the news with mixed emotions and it took me awhile to try and organize my thoughts. But I feel you deserve to know the truth.
In the next 3 years you are going to be faced with a lot of choices if you want to be a division one athlete. You don't become one fall of your senior year-- you become onenow by your commitment now. One of the most important things for you to do is schedule time to train that's a combo of hockey games and hockey practices and intense workouts. Your life needs to be a commitment to these things if you are going to have a chance at D1. I'm not trying to take away the many high school experiences ahead, but think of your workouts as the "big rocks" and the softball games, sleepovers, homecoming dances, and vacations as the sand that fills in around those rocks.
If you want a chance at d1, you are going to need to set your schedule and commit to it (games/practices/workouts)... The sacrifices come when you have to say "I can't make my softball game tonight because I've scheduled my training time then" is an example of commitment level. I value your desire to play but if field hockey is your future it's the daily choice and perspective you need. Training (on and off the field) will not just be something that conveniently fits into your life. It's going to take sacrifice. You will miss out on some things these next 3 years-- these extras like softball, friends, etc are extras because you're going to have to say "no" to alot of things to keep with your field hockey schedule.
I believe you deserve to hear it now before its too late. I want to empower you with the understanding of what it's going to take to play division one so you can decide if that's the commitment you need to make. If this sounds like it totally sucks, then division 1 isn't for you, because this time commitment is a reality for every division 1 athlete. The d1 athlete thrives on the process of committing to something so incredible; the friends you make in training, and on the field, the sense of accomplishment along the way, keep you hungry for more... from a 5:30 mile to a clutch score... totally worth the blood, sweat, time and sacrifice. If that gets your adrenaline racing, read on.
Here's an example of what I mean by commitment. Successful athletes make a schedule. Like your summer hockey schedule, you need a calendar to print and hang in your room. Your workouts don't just happen "when you have time".
You have two evenings of hockey practices, one morning of team weight room, then you need another day for your "at home" workouts. Set a specific day and time each week and let's commit to that. If that's with me, let me know dates/times and I am right here working you toward your goal.
Secondly, you'll need to add hockey games to your schedule and any practices for your travel team.
Now that you have your calendar, hang it in your room. When someone asks you to play in a softball game, look to your schedule. You may have to say "no" to some things you'd really like to do. You may have to leave a sleepover early to make a workout. These are the daily decisions that are present. And this is the sacrifice every d1 athlete makes.
Once we enter August you will need to make a fall calendar with hockey commitments and school, and your social life will fall in around these commitments. But the friends you develop along the way, the sense of accomplishment, and the strong woman you develop to be are all benefits of such a committed and driven lifestyle.
So as we move into the summer it is now that you need to start making some decisions so I know what we are really working toward here. Are you a girl who is going to make her dreams a reality? Or a girl with big dreams? I have heard FANTASTIC things about your talent on the field and I see your heart and desire to be your best in the gym. I'm here to say YOU CAN MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE. Truth is, now is when you start making that happen.
Sorry for this ridiculously loooong email
I want you to know I love you no matter what level you choose to play, but I want to know what we are really working toward here. And that's completely up to you-- you now know what it takes, and you have excellent team and individual coaches to help get you there. It's simply up to you to decide if we are commiting to Sarah the future Division 1 field hockey player, or...
Regards,
Coach J
***"I did change the girls name and omit a few details to protect the anonymity of my athlete"
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