Who are the Twenty Four Hour Athletes?

This summer Vern Gambetta discussed the concept of the 24 hour athlete on his blog functional path training and stressed that it is a valid concept the Athletic Development Coaches should not compromise on.

Specifically he states "Conceptually and in reality we need to get our athletes to lead lives that are conducive to athletic excellence. You can't be excellent two hours during training, or just twelve hours during the day and do things that are counterproductive to excellence the rest of the time. We must raise the bar, not lower it. I agree that the young athlete of today has more going on in their life - so what! They need to be taught to focus and commit. They expect the same rewards don't they? We as coaches must set the example and get athletes to commit to an approach to excellence that involves all hours of the day. I know I am getting old and these ideas seem old fashioned, but I know they work; I have lived it as an athlete and a coach. When I first started coaching I was training for the decathlon, coaching track at two schools, also coached basketball that year, taught a full teaching load, was married and had a bit of life. We must teach the young coaches and athletes that it takes total commitment; excellence is not a passing fancy. You must strive to win each workout, before you can ever bear the fruits of victory. If we give into this generation then it will only get worse going forward. Is it work, you bet it is. Does it take energy, it sure does, but we must do it!"

Some very valid points that get lost a lot of times, especially in the off-season. Sure, everyone deserves a break from there training once in a while. But how do you choose to take that break is what is being challenged when discussing the 24 hour athlete. Are athletes today doing something counter-productive to there training when they decide to take a break? And how long of break do you believe you deserve, need, or have earned? Did you reach the goals you set before your season began, both personal and team? If you did, GREAT! But if you did not, what are some reasons that you did not reach them and what will it take to achieve them this year? For spring sports, do you believe that just working out in the Fall is going to help you get closer to that championship you are seeking or do you think you may need to show up polished on your skills and well conditioned ready to improve even more when the coaches are able to start working with you individually? How many college athletes work harder than they have ever worked for 15 weeks of a semester only to take the next 4 weeks off during the holidays and lose everything? Don't fool yourself and believe that you will be the best you can be in your chosen sport if you don't put in the extra time on your own. When you are not around the rest of your team and away from sport what are you doing to get better and what choices are you making that will help you be the best. Don't make excuses if you truly want to reach excellence because the excuses will not get you what you want. Make the right choices when faced with your own tough decisions and peer pressure. No one said being an athlete is easy and living the life of a 24 hour athlete is definitely not easy, but the rewards are priceless. Eat right, get plenty of sleep, take care of your school work, WIN every workout and know that you are doing your part to help your team reach that next level.

Are you a 24 hour Athlete?