Dr. David Schary: Use sport skills to excel in the classroom

When I switched from coaching to teaching I had to adjust to how I interacted with the people I supervised.

While the way athletes interact with a coach is different from the way they interact with a teacher, I quickly learned that many of the skills I learned working with athletes helped me effectively run a classroom and teach students.

, Athletes canharness the lessons learned in sports to help them excel in school.

Respect. No team or individual athlete, can reach success without a high level of respect. Athletes need to respect the rules, officials, coaches, teammates, opponents and fans. When an athleteloses respect for any part of the game, he or she will often make poor choices that lead to negative consequences to one’s athletic career such as forfeiting a win, sitting out a game, or expulsion from the team. Similarly, in the classroom, students need to respect their school’s rules, peers, teachers, principals and all the support staff. Failure to show respect in school often results in bad grades or suspension.

Most importantly, not showing respect in any area of life sends a loud message that you are more important. Sports and school teach the contrary. The individual is only as good as those around her or him. To achieve elite status individuals need others to challenge and push them so they can get better. Without respect individuals will quickly find themselves without the support they need for long-term success.

Focus. To master a new skill or win a game, athletes need to learn to focus their attention. Similarly, school demands focus. During class, students need to focus on the teacher. Doing homework, students need to focus on the reading or problem set. Without focus, students will miss valuable information.

In sports, missing important information can result in a a missed shot or fumble, and the opposing team may benefit from the mistake. Not focusing in school leads to more serious consequences. Knowledge builds on itself, so one lesson leads to the next. A lack of focus during an important class may put a student behind, making it difficult to stay up with the material.

Effort. Just like focus, athletes should give their maximal effort in every practice and game. Holding back will prevent an athlete from reaching her or his full potential.

Coaches demand athletes give everything that they have to help and teachers expect the same effort. Although class will not require the same physical effort, students need to apply themselves mentally.Learning demands that students push past what they thought was possible.

Athletes are at an advantage because they know how to press past the comfort zone. Athletes know that sometimes it takes time to see improvement. Thus, athletes should give the same amount of effort while either on the field or sitting in a desk.

Athletes and coaches alike should remember that standing in a huddle surrounded by teammates and coaches is no different than sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher. The same fundamental principles can help student-athletes reach elite status in both arenas.

This story was originally published August 29, 2015 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Dr. David Schary: Use sport skills to excel in the classroom."