Athlete Opportunity Theorem

By Chuck Slaght

PHOENIX, Arizona, February 21. TODAY, Swimming World presents a special guest column from Dr. Chuck Slaght entitled the Athlete Opportunity Theorem.

As in love and war, work and play, sports and living all present opportunities. The beginning of life is the opening door to multiple and monumental opportunities. What we do next in between life and death are all opportunities: many wasted, many taken. Every time you do something it impacts the opportunity of that moment and forever changes the direction of one's life. It is essential that we should always try to make the most of every opportunity. Sports, education, business, friends or family, and social interaction provide the most potential and are thus interesting yet intense opportunities. The issue is how are you and those around you creating and using all opportunities? As all of life provides vast opportunities, I will try to touch on some small yet important opportunities.

Setting the stage, a strong work ethic and proper time management skills, especially regarding athletes and coaches, are both critical to enhance opportunities and sports provide a great developmental platform to many successful opportunities in all aspects of a fulfilled life. Athletes and others either take advantage of or throw away opportunities: most don't even realize that "every moment" is an opportunity and therefore generally miss out. We learn from both good and bad experiences in life. What and where are opportunities? Opportunities are everywhere and always happening it's a matter of perceiving and acting upon all these complex events!

Life is full of opportunities, they exist but only if we can perceive and take advantage of them (recognizing, learning and using them). We are born then grow some, are blessed with better circumstances but all with environmental, behavioral, and opportunity factors presenting new elements and the opportunity to change frequently. Opportunities and using these opportunities are critical and life changing especially, between the ages of birth and 5 years as one develops life, social, and coping skills: behavior patterns and discipline are also critical during this phase (hopefully properly guided opportunities). Communication skills are developed and finally individuals have the opportunity to begin the institutional and social educational developmental process. Institutional education is one of the most critical opportunities as it sets the foundation for one's life and the ability to become financially productive as well as sustainability: most people have to daily earn a living (sort of like training daily). The next opportunity comes with an individual's professional endeavors and family opportunities so many choices so little time. All of this falls within the first 17-22 years of our existence. There are opportunities to choose your path regarding God, what sport do I want to participate in, what political party makes the most sense, where do I want to live, what do I really want to be, and on and on: so many opportunities? How we choose and use these opportunities and eventually what becomes really important is critical during these stages as this will directly impact the rest of your life.

Sports offer the most diverse opportunities. I will focus on swimming (because I have more than 40 years experience swimming and coaching) as well as a few other sports. Normally, every day a swimmer attends a workout and most just show up and swim whatever the coach assigns. There is little thought to the meaning and the purpose: little time and energy is devoted to making the most of this opportunity. Now if that swimmer would apply the opportunity theory they would show up, ready to train (nutrition, rest, emotions/attitude all perfect, "Right!") and concentrate, demanding excellence on each element of the workout as another opportunity to excel.

It is an opportunity to train at various levels of intensity, an opportunity to make stroke corrections, an opportunity to psychologically prepare, an opportunity to perform, all opportunities.

Now, it is agreed that many swimmers develop their own styles which physiologically makes them superior in performance against others but the basic elements of swimming are the same: strokes must be performed with certain criteria. Then there are the opportunities to compete but the decision is, when, where, and which meets are the best opportunity to excel. An example of creating opportunity to excel is seen in the practice habits of the phenomenal Michael Phelps practicing 6 days a week (mostly twice daily at 2+ hours plus dry land/weights/flexibility training). Michael was asked by his coach Bob Bowman paraphrased as, "Why not practice on Sundays, it will offer you 52 more workouts a year than anyone else?" Now that's creating opportunities.

As we grow older, the opportunity to change becomes much more difficult as we become ingrained with good or bad habits so we must continually strive to develop proper/efficient mechanics. Practicing on one's own time creates huge benefits as sometimes "quantity creates quality" as swimming requires a huge base/foundation on which to enable/empower other opportunities.

Coaches are responsible for creating opportunities during each workout. They must be creative yet scientific in the development of each workout, each training goal for each swimmer, each segment (short/long course, foundational period, special training elements, taper segments, etc.), and maintain an athlete's interest. Coaches need to plan an annual and, secondarily, a seasonal format for each team, each developmental aspect, and with each swimmer (goal setting and frequent interviews with each athlete needs to be held updating the training plan). Attention and communication with each athlete is also extremely important: how do they feel each day, how did school and their social life go, maintenance of health through proper eating, supplements, proper hygiene, plus many other factors. Continuous education on the part of a coach is also critical to self and athlete development but many coaches are part-time having other jobs to sustain them (membership in professional organizations having access to professional literature and annual clinics/conferences is critical). A huge perceived problem lies in the "shot-gun" approach to coaching where everyone is doing basically the same workout (one workout applies to all with little modification), this leads to rapid athlete digression and eventual loss.

Coaches are mentors responsible for motivating and providing the widest array of opportunities for all their athletes.

Intuitive communication (verbal and nonverbal) is also needed by both the coach and the athlete to ensure proper unencumbered workouts are focused and devoid of emotional hindrances. This means knowing your athlete and feeling their mood (look at their faces when they come in, talk with them for a few moments, and be involved in their life outside the facilities). As school is so pressure-oriented now checking on grades every reporting period can insure athlete stability (modify the number of workouts per day/week if necessary). Stability at home can also be an issue: hold parent conferences or educational seminars quarterly getting feedback from the home front. Other issues that dampen opportunities are girlfriends/boyfriends, the freedom given transportation at 16, and social peers and these are very touchy subjects warn athletes and parents early about these opportunity inhibitors. The bottom line, "know and communicate with athletes!" Charisma, a special illuminating personality drawing and influencing others, is also a factor in coaching through leadership and the ability to develop unlimited opportunities for athletes.

Another sport that offers an insight into opportunities is golf. What you do with your training time is critical. Learning golf is one step, getting good coaching is the next, but the real opportunities come when an athlete as an individual takes their game to the next level, self-coaching. Actual practice offers many opportunities to develop the game. It actually depends on the level of dedication. One could practice daily for 30 minutes on driving, then 30 minutes on the short game, pitching, and sand trap work, and finally 30 minutes on putting for about two plus hours of practice. But, how many athletes are willing to put this kind of effort into this opportunity. Maybe look at what Tiger Woods did under his father's coaching which created opportunities (Johnny Carson Show at six years old). Perfection is an allusive situation or companion but here is what I have found: "Perfect practice, makes perfect." Now let's take opportunity to the course and actual play. "Each" shot is an opportunity, a chance to challenge yourself to hit the best shot possible. Even if the preceding shot places the ball in the worse possible situation it is an opportunity to challenge your skills to excel (again look at the challenges Tiger Woods has had and the remarkable recovery shots he has made). As you can see there is a pattern: it takes hard work, volumes of time, dedication, and tremendous heart and mind set all directed to provide the most from all opportunities.

Other sports can apply this same "Opportunity Theorem." Each sport requires opportunity and consistent practice. The application of exceptional training habits, behavior (nutritional and recovery), principles of excellence all lead to great performance expectations.

The "focus" of an individual or a team on recognizing and utilizing available or creating opportunities is critical. The awareness of opportunities and the utilization of these opportunities under normal situations leads to success.

The most monumental moments in my memory are the ones where it was the worse possible situation creating varied opportunities! This is the opportunity to choose which road you will take, hopefully the one least traveled yet eventually offering the most diverse opportunities. It is the challenges that make life interesting (dealing outside the box, outside one's comfort zone) that brings the most beneficial opportunities as well as panicked excitement. Trying performances and even downright disappointing situations are all learning tools providing opportunities to grow beyond one's comfort zone. I say drink it all in and move on and don't forget what happened: learn from all failed opportunities.

Another aspect of opportunity addresses the "extinguishers" of opportunities or good training behaviors/habits. Life is a finite line, always going in one direction, there is only so much time to eat, sleep, work, play. It all depends on an individual and priorities: God, family, academics or work, sports and life, one must prioritize. The window of opportunity for sport development as a child is limited to the approximate ages of 8-22 years of age (this can be extended in both directions look at Dara Torres/Tiger Woods, she/he have used opportunities and mindset to the maximum proving there are few limitations). The daily grind needed to be the best is oppressive and the year-round athlete dedicated to one sport is rare. Most sports have a season but what could an athlete do given the opportunity to train year-round at an intense level in their one sport? The highly successful athletes must do this to be at the top of their game: all great athletes train wisely year-round! Can you imagine another sport putting as much time and effort as what we will now talk about?

A few sports require so much continual foundational type training that it seems crazy, swimmers are one of those requiring intense dedication, sacrifice, and an overwhelming schedule: they must also have a pool to train in. Swimmers at an early age need to develop proper stroke mechanics then, develop workout stamina and expertise and finally develop total dedication attitude. Two workouts a day Monday through Friday before school and after (plus Saturday workouts or swim meets), go to school and excel academically (swimmers are built that way always the top performers at all they do), eat (proper nutritionally as well for fuel), sleep, and maintaining a positive productive friend/family relationship. Many athletes are now "home schooled" to create opportunities to train and excel academically.

Most people collapse just thinking about this schedule but what it demands positively is teaching individuals how to manage time, how to be successful against all odds and excel in this opportunity we call life.

I will not even go into the logistical aspects of all this from a parent's viewpoint it further staggers the imagination.

Now apply the previous work ethic and schedule to any other sport (the workplace or life in general) and you have the formula for total success. So few are capable let alone able to hold this schedule and accomplish all else on their already overloaded schedules.

This creates the pyramid opportunity formula where the base is large and the pinnacle is small due to attrition or sheer brutality of this dedication required.

I have yet to meet an unsuccessful (at life and in business) ex-athlete who was near the top of their sport. They understand how to create opportunities and grow them.

All success is predicated on the principle that one must create opportunities or opportunities must become present to achieve the status of success, why not create the opportunities?

There are also the "developers of opportunities" these are the support groups for athletes: parents, coaches, teachers, friends, and acutely-managed personal freedom – all these elements can either help or hinder. The Chinese have created the ultimate "Opportunity Training Cosmos" which are eco-spheres for their potential great athletes: we are finally beginning to create this concept for USA Swimming. There are so many distracters and negative influences affecting athletes, just watch the news.

Life is hard enough without making things harder, how to ease negative situations are the factors we need to seek out for successful opportunities.

Many parents hinder athletes from developing opportunities and reaching their potential but without parents there are NO opportunities: nurture your children. Coaches also can be a huge limitation on athletes where they fail to continually develop and learn becoming satiated in their comfort zones. Coaches and manager's ability to see opportunities and fail to steer athletes in that direction staggers the imagination: some are even territorial and possessive thus damaging an athlete's potential opportunities.

Coaches: every day there are opportunities for a coach to learn something about an athlete and something new or technical about their sport.

Teachers: there are 3-5 other teachers working with the same athlete, what teachers do during the time where an athlete is in direct contact with them is a critical opportunity: pay attention, listen carefully as overload is very common to these high performers. Athletes: your responsibility is to learn and perform in the academic setting just as you do within your sport. Also, eliminate blockades to opportunities by doing what you are told to do at home. Don't waste energy on misbehaving (do your chores): we all have someone who is in authority over us. Now as to friends, true friends don't demand your time they actually support your efforts. Athletes: choose your friends carefully, a girlfriend or boyfriend can certainly demand time and attention (too much attention) therefore be careful and communicate your needs to train/study/work. As to freedom, it comes in many packages, an automobile can be a tool and help an athlete and their family but it also can lead to real opportunity crushers.

Create your opportunities; make the most of everything you do, help enhance every possible opportunity.

Next, we have to develop the individual and the team opportunity concept.

While an individual athlete needs to always try and do the most "good" for themselves (intrinsic motivation) they also must do the most "good" for the team (extrinsic motivation).

Swimming is an individual sport with one athlete against the clock over the prescribed distance using a specific stroke, but there are times when the swimmer must compete in a weaker stroke for the benefit of the team (strategy swimming in dual meet or team championship situations). While the opportunity for the individual swimmer may not be advantageous the opportunity for the team may be the higher cause. In other sports, this is much easier to understand (baseball/football) as individuals and the team as a whole organism must work together for the opportunity to win (if the offensive part of the team is down and the defense is performing at a high level there can still be victory but very rarely).

Back to strategic swimming, this can be very stressful yet exciting, high school seasons can be a great release from the everyday or seasonal pressure mill as individuals can at times fill in and swim different events checkmating another team's normal strategy of swimming power against power. College swimming is similar except that these athletes are receiving resources in return for performance still; this can make swimming off your normal stroke both extrinsically and intrinsically motivating. Most of the time the focus must be on the individual opportunity but, team goals must also remain a major consideration for coaches and swimmers.

Athletes go through some crazy opportunities or stages of learning, training, and performing to become great athletes but they are pretty consistent with the following patterns.

First, athletes perform for their parents seeking approval, attention or love via a sport. This time can overlap all the other stages in that athletes seek to obtain parental attention. Parents can really mess this stage up by creating pressure or even living vicariously through their kids.

Secondly, athletes perform for the coach and this may be the final stage for many if not most athletes. Coaches can dominate their athletes demanding performance: this type of coach better be a great coach or great damage will ensue. Team sports are the only place where this coach led effort will work, with some consistency, but imagine if you had a team loaded with the third-stage athletes connected with second stage/level athletes. The third and final stage is where the athlete performs for themselves taking responsibility for their own levels of training, knowing their own limitations and developing their own knowledge base (athlete as coach). This third stage is where the highest level of performance comes: self-actualization. This third stage is where you will find the Olympians and the Tiger Woods and Dara Torres of the sports world.

Here every opportunity is explored and utilized by the third stage athlete. Every stage and every experience is an opportunity tool to enhance training and performance and sometimes to get "seasoned" psychologically.

In summary, "great athletes" have learned to always make the most of all their opportunities. When the right door opens they see the opportunity and take advantage of it. Some opportunities are created by individuals, always knowing that they must do something on their own to enhance their chances for success. Those that train the best and the most benefit with the most opportunities in life and in their sport. If you are waiting for an opportunity you have already missed many other opportunities: seize your moments. What you do between birth and death is your personal opportunity, take responsibility and make the most of all opportunities.

All in all, every moment is an opportunity: see it, take it, and grow. If you want to be the best, at whatever, than be the best: stop throwing away opportunities use them! Work harder and smarter then others it all pays huge dividends, go for the GOLD!

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