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Surviving the Pressure Cooker: Navigating the Stress of High School Athletics

Ted Currle

Participation in team sports has been shown to provide many benefits for student athletes. Through sports, young men form friendships, learn about being good teammates and leaders, grow in their resilience and perseverance, and benefit from the physical and mental benefits of exercise. However, when a young man’s identity becomes wrapped up in his sport, it can lead to mental health issues. Positive stress can quickly morph into overwhelming anxiety. What was once fun and a source of joy becomes the opposite, and depression can set in quickly. Ted Currle, a former D1 NCAA athlete and current high school coach and athletic director, offers the following advice to student athletes who need help managing the stress of high school athletics so they can get back to enjoying the game.

Control what you can control…
It’s true that there’s a lot you can’t control in life, but there is plenty that you can control, too! One essential way to relieve stress is to take the reins on the things over which you do have power…like your sleep, your diet, your schoolwork, and your workouts. Practicing time management to juggle competing demands, embracing injury mitigation techniques like proper stretching and rest days, and ensuring that you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy (regularly getting a full night's sleep, making good dietary choices, and avoiding illegal substances), will all help you stay balanced. 

Go back to the beginning…
How did you feel when you first started playing this sport? Were you thrilled to go to every practice and see your friends? Did you beam with pride putting on a fresh uniform with each new season? Did you grin from ear to ear at your first goal or point? Did you laugh off your mistakes with your friends after the game? 

Though the trappings are very different when you go from little league to Division 1 varsity high school baseball, the sport remains the same. Try to recall all of the reasons you once loved your sport, and see if you can focus on them once again. Think of practice as time with friends. Think of each at bat or face off as an opportunity to do something you love. The truth is, this won’t last forever. Very few people are able to turn their sport into a career. It’s important to keep that in perspective so that you can enjoy the time you do have in your sport. 

Be Real…
Only 7% of student athletes go on to play a varsity sport in college, and less than 2% of those ever make it to the pro level. Why does that matter? You don’t want to put undue stress on yourself to achieve goals that, for most, are not attainable. Instead of focusing on life after high school, focus on what you can achieve now, and keep it realistic. Set attainable (note: I didn’t say easy) goals. Maybe you’re a kicker aiming to be 90% on extra points and field goals, or you’re a basketball player looking to shoot 75% from the foul line, make sure that your goals are not only achievable based on your ability but also on the ability of the teammates who surround you. Having realistic goals provides you a shot at achieving them, and achieving small goals along the way will aid in your sense of worth and enjoyment of your sport.

Speak your stress…
Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to speak up, and don’t hold it in when you’re feeling frustrated. Talk to your coach, or confide in family and trusted friends. Talking about your worries, concerns, and frustrations is one great step toward overcoming them. And if that’s not enough, seek professional help (which brings us to the next point!).

Ask for help…
At the end of the day, your well-being is far more important than any sport. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have good mental health and participate in a competitive sport. If you’re feeling symptoms of depression or anxiety, talk to your parents, counselor, or coach and ask for help to find a professional with experience coaching athletes to cope with stress. 

The high school sports experience can (and should!) be positive and rewarding. This is a time of growth and learning, not perfection. Be sure to pay as much attention to your mental health as your physical health, and most importantly, enjoy yourself!
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Xaverian is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. As an inclusive community, we embrace diverse experiences and perspectives, welcoming students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. Through exceptional academics, athletics, the arts, faith formation, and service opportunities, we help young men discover their unique gifts and talents so they can share them with a world in need.