What is the most basic thing every kid participating in youth sports can do, regardless of athletic talent? The answer to that question is HUSTLE! While it might seem like common sense to display enthusiasm and run on and off the field, some kids arrive to the field late, unprepared to compete, and sluggishly participate as though they would rather be sleeping than playing sports! Sports provide many great lessons that can be transferred to life, including the impact that active participation and hustling has on sport — and life — success.
Understanding the value of hustling
Hustling is defined as follows: To proceed or work rapidly. Notice, the word hustle does not include athletic talent, potential, or past success, nor is hustling unique to a specific sport, gender, or age. In fact, hustling, unlike other attributes like height or natural speed, is entirely dependent on one’s choice whether to actively participate rather than passively go through the motions. Every kid, regardless of talent, can be the first one on the field, and the most enthused kid on the field displayed through his or her actions. In fact, one of the best ways to improve mental toughness is to commit to hustling at all times, including when the coach isn’t looking!
There are countless performance enhancement benefits that occur because of hustle, including the following:
- Great optics, better chance of playing time. Ask any coach and they will tell you that one of the fastest ways to get noticed, and thereby increase chances to play, is to show hustle, effort, and energy. Optics matter, and coaches love to play kids who show they want to be there!
- Helps with focus and performance. When kids hustle they also focus on the coach and learn what is expected at any moment, compared to kids who are only partially tuned in and barely interested in competing.
- Less chance of injury. When kids hustle and pay attention, they dramatically reduce the chances for a sports injury because they are better aware of their surroundings and more prepared for physical contact.
- Positively impacts teammates, and increases chances for team success. When teammates see a kid quickly pop up after getting knocked down, or run out a play harder than anyone else on the field, the net result is a more focused, motivated, and cohesive team — qualities that contribute directly to on-field team success.
- Contributes to team culture and traditions of success. Kids who hustle set the benchmark for team expectations, prompting future generations of student athletes to work just as hard and add to the legacy and tradition of the team.
Help your kids understand the value of hustle by specifically discussing the benefits discussed above, and teach them to be the first to jump when the coach directs the team to the next on-field drill. Hustling does not require deep thought, advanced athletic abilities, or extraordinary strength, but instead simply the will to want to be the best kid out there at any given moment.
Final thoughts
Kids who hustle while playing sports improve mental toughness and enjoy a very different experience compared to kids who play passively, and simply go through the motions while competing. It is important for kids to also understand the optics of hustle, and how coaches often develop impressions (positive and negative) of kids largely based on their level of hustle and attitude. And finally, kids can learn the value of hustle by participating in sports, and then apply the same mindset to all future life activities and challenges.
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