Football or Basketball
I’m writing this blog because it is another hot topic amongst high school athletes. They don’t know whether to play both or focus on one. Should I play football or basketball? A question specifically asked by a high school Sophmore. He feels that he is good enough to play College basketball or College Football.
Keep Your Options Open
You ever hear of Julius Peppers? Exactly. He played both basketball and football for the North Carolina Tar Heels. That doesn’t mean that you can or can’t do that. I have had teammates that played both sports all their life and after football season our coach stopped them from trying out for basketball. But that is one school out of many. Now I tell players find out when you start speaking with these coaches, you may find some that will let you play both sports then again you may find a coach that won’t let you. If you would like to inquire about playing basketball and football in college, make sure you mention that when you are speaking to College coaches.
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is a word that is very common in College Athletics. Are you going to make the sacrifice to watch game film and practice tape so you can become a better player by correcting your mistakes? I made the sacrifice of giving up basketball as a junior in high school. I played basketball since 5 years old and I swore I would play pro. In middle school I was sure that I would leave high school early to go pro. However after making the team and going through some things that I am not at liberty to discuss I decided not to play basketball anymore. I was so passionate about my decision that you would never catch me shooting around or playing pick up games ever again.
Some times you have to make a sacrifice and pick the sport that you are more likely to succeed in. I felt that I was more likely to succeed in football. What gave me that mindset was the fact that I had spoken to college football coaches, but no basketball coaches at all. It happens though a lot of football players make that same decision. If you seen NBA All Star Weekend>> Terrel Owens…Obviously he was a good basketball player at some point. And vice versa you see the likes of Allen Iverson, Ben Gordon, Big Baby and people will say oh I bet he wouldve been a great running back or something along those lines.
Support
Genuine people that love you and care about you will always support. And if they are your coaches, they will grow to accept and respect your decision. I know coaches that I played for in the past that stand by me and support me in any decision I make. That helps you grow as well when you can make your own decisions and be responsible for them. But in the end if you decide to focus on just one sport you are the one that has to live with that decision for the rest of your life.
In Closing
In closing I will say if you are going to focus on one sport with the exception of class work, do just that >>focus on one sport. Whenever you practice; practice to perform better than you did at your last practice. If your in the weight room, lift to get stronger then you did the previous workout. If you maintain this mindset you will benefit and you will be proud of your self. Until next time…
RMCFE