WIN for Student-Athletes

It's unrealistic to expect kids to act like winners... when the adults in their lives are not willing to model winning behavior.

Dispelling Myths About Student-Athletes

The biggest myth in sports: Young people cannot succeed in both athletics and academics.

The best student-athletes understand something different.

Discipline in the classroom actually strengthens discipline on the field.

Great athletes become great students of everything!

[Winning Quote]

“Talent gets attention. Character earns respect.”

Student-athletes are always being watched.

By coaches. By teammates. By teachers.

And most importantly, by younger athletes who look up to them.

Remind them…People are always watching you.

Their character matters.

[Coach’s Corner]

3 Ways Coaches Can Build a Growth Mindset in Young Athletes

Great coaches develop people - not just players.

Here are three ways to build a growth mindset:
1️⃣ Praise effort, not just results
2️⃣ Use mistakes as teaching moments
3️⃣ Encourage athletes to seek honest feedback

Athletes improve faster when they understand that criticism is not an attack - it’s an opportunity to correct mistakes and GROW!

[Parent Tip Tuesday]: Helping Your Student-Athlete Build Confidence

One of the biggest mistakes parents make is comparing their child to other athletes.

Confidence grows when young athletes learn who THEY are - not who others expect them to be.

Instead of asking: “Why aren’t you as good as them?”

Try asking: “What did you learn today?” or “What are you proud of from your practice/game?”

Confidence is built through identity. Because when athletes embrace who they are, they stop trying to be someone else.

And that’s when they start winning!

Leadership isn’t a title. It’s a responsibility.

Athletes are challenged to lead by:

1. Effort
2. Attitude
3. Accountability

I was fortunate to be a Team Captain during my time at Penn State Football. It was not because I was the best athlete on the team. I wasn't.

It was because I embodied the effort, attitude and accountability that was important to our team's definition of success.

As your student-athletes endeavor to increase in skill, also encourage them to be LEADERS.

The Hidden Advantage of Competition

Parents, sometimes you worry about your child experiencing tough competition.

Keep this in mind...great competitors are actually gifts.

They push your student-athlete to improve. They force them to prepare, and they demand focus.

I realize it can be tough to watch, but never forget that opponents help your athletes grow.

‎

No one wins alone.

Not in business.
Not in sports.
Not in family.
Not in faith.
Not in life.

No Dumb Jocks Allowed!

Let's encourage our young people to CREATE OPTIONS for their respective futures.

(The attached is an excerpt from my book, WIN for Student-Athletes.)

https://lee-rubin-speaks.mykajabi.com/winforstudentathletes

Thanks to donations from a number of Penn Staters, copies of WIN for Student-Athletes made it to Milwaukee, WI! The books are now in the hands of players in A. Maurice Powell's youth football program.