Improve in Sports, Play Against Better Opponents

Elite female tennis player, Serena William, practices against male players because they hit harder and she is forced to return shot which are more difficult to hit. Alexi Thompson, one the best female golf players in the professional tour credits playing against her older brothers for her ability to hit long drives. She claims she wanted to measure up to them and, consequently, learned to hit long. The underdog Argentina’s national rugby team defeated the current two-time European Six Nation Champion, Ireland. Argentina credits its 2012 inclusion in the Rugby Championship, which includes the powerhouses of New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, for its improved skills and technique.

Practicing against a player or team that is more powerful pushes one’s performance level a notch higher. Athletes are forced to make adjustments as their weaknesses are more likely to be exposed when playing against better players. Playing against weaker players brings the satisfaction of winning, but if the goal is to continue seeking improvement, then what better way to do that than testing your abilities against athletes that will push you to the top of your abilities.

To challenge your skill level, you would want to play against better players. The one concern about this strategy is that of participating in a competitive physical contact sport where your physical maturity level has not reached that of your opponent’s. It is quite common that young athletes would want to challenge themselves and compete against older players. However, be aware that such physical demands may impose a stress in your body that may ultimately cause harm.

Young lacrosse or ice hockey players should be practicing against players who are of similar physical development as the physical demands of these sports would place the weaker athlete in unnecessary harmful situations.

To improve your competitive skills, play up:

1- Seek the competition of better players to help you raise your competitive and skill levels.
2- If you are a young athlete, be aware that competing against physically stronger athletes could bring unnecessary bodily harm.

Comments are closed