“The Front Row…”

 Shared by Breanne Smedley

A few seasons ago, I received an email from a colleague. It read,

“I have a few of your varsity volleyball players in my class. They decided to sit in the back of the class, even after I told them that there were seats available up front. Just thought I would let you know.”

I thanked her. Told her that it wouldn’t happen tomorrow.

What does this have to do with volleyball? Apparently, my players were wondering the same thing.

One of the expectations in our program is that volleyball players sit in the front row of their classes.

I give the teacher’s a heads up that if they have volleyball players in their classes, they should be asking to sit in the front.

And to let me know if they don’t.

Called the “learning zone,” the front row is where more engagement is likely to occur. 
Less distractions.
More focus. 
Better learning.

I also talk about how it sets the tone for as a student in that teacher’s class. 
First impressions. 
How do you want to be known to that teacher?
Sit in the front row, show him/her that you are engaged.

Better students=better habits=better volleyball players=better team.

That afternoon at practice, I let the program know that the word got back to me that some players weren’t following the expectation of sitting in the front row.

I painted a clear picture for them.

Common athletes, or average players, are ones that think everything they do in life works independently.

They think they can act a certain way off the court, then “turn it on” when they’re on the court.

That their habits in school, relationships, and workouts don’t impact how they perform on the court.

Common athletes are the ones you’ll find in the back row of their classes because they don’t think it matters.

To be uncommon, however, is to be elite. Uncommon athletes do things differently.

They know that how they do one thing is how they do everything.

That you can’t just expect to have bad habits in one area, and good in another.

They know that everything they do impacts another area of their life, including how they play.

Uncommon, or elite athletes are the ones you’ll find in the front row of their classes.

Because they know that their habits and engagement in class will follow them to the volleyball court.

What kind of athlete do you want to be?

Common or uncommon?

Average or elite?

The next day I followed up with the colleague who emailed me.

“Any improvement?”

“Yes, front row today!” She said.

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