Appendix - Athlete Self-Evaluation

The self-evaluation tool on the following page is designed to be something that you can distribute to your athletes at the beginning of your season (the first day of practice is a great time), as you introduce them to the study and pursuit of the discipline of confidence.

Before you distribute the information to your athletes, you’ll need to understand the categories of “Disciple Athlete”, “Apprentice Athlete”, and “Servant-Leader Athlete”.  The following information is not necessarily intended to be read directly to you athletes, but to give you an understanding of the categories as they relate to athletes at different levels of maturity and development.  You can then decide how you want to present the information to your athletes;   usually it’s easiest and most effective to divide athletes by grade levels (freshmen, sophomore/juniors, seniors).

The first level is the Disciple Athlete; he needs to be taught the fundamentals, and his development requires a lot of oversight.  Repetition of basic habits is critical at this stage; this athlete’s focus is on training.  The second level is the Apprentice Athlete; he is committed to and actively working on improving.  His faithfulness to the task can be trusted, so he needs less oversight; this athlete’s focus is on practice.  The third level is the Servant-Leader Athlete; his habits and example have elevated him to a leadership position, and he understands that leadership is defined by a responsibility to serve others.  He does things with care, and he gives oversight to others.  His sees the “big picture” of team and is motivated by helping others to learn and grow; this athlete’s focus is on maintaining the health and success of the team.

These different levels are often closely associated with age.  You might identify  freshmen as Disciples, sophomores and juniors as Apprentices, and seniors as Servant-Leaders — and that’s an alright starting point.  However, keep in mind that you will have older athletes who are less mature (and not ready to lead), and you will have younger athletes who are more mature (and capable of more demanding challenges). Treat each athlete as an individual; don’t assume that an athlete of a certain age should be “lumped in” with others his age, when using these challenges to encourage and guide him in his submission to discipline throughout the season.

Encourage your athletes to read over the appropriate category (based on their grade level); then ask each athlete to evaluate whether each characteristic or behavior is a strength or a weakness of his, and to identify one particular way in which he would like to grow or improve this year.  (This can be done privately, or you can allow time for athletes to voluntarily share with one    another, if you’d like.)

At the end of the season, ask your athletes to use the “confident athlete” list (which you will compile throughout the season) to evaluate their submission to and growth in the discipline of confidence.  You can also have all athletes (except seniors) look forward to the set of “sport applications” of confidence for the next level, and to identify goals for growth for the year ahead

“Sport Applications” of Confidence

Athlete Self-Evaluation

How does a Disciple Athlete train in confidence?

· False confidence leads to bragging and arrogance.  Learn to keep your mouth closed and develop faithfulness in doing and learning what you are supposed to do and learn today.  Seek to be able to say (at the end of practice), “I did what I was asked to do today.”

· Seek feedback from coaches — Did I do this correctly?  Pay attention to criticism, and take heed to it.  Don’t make excuses.

How does an Apprentice Athlete practice confidence?

· Base your confidence on yesterday’s faithfulness.

· Don’t seek to develop confidence; seek to develop daily  faithfulness.  Faithfulness in obedience will produce     confidence.

· Don’t just “go through the motions.”  Work with all your heart.

How does a Servant-Leader Athlete maintain confidence?

· Set an example by pushing yourself to the limit.  Don’t take it easy on a single windsprint.  Be beaten because someone is faster than you, not because you goofed off.

· At the appropriate time, call your team to greater commitment in doing drills, if it seems they are loafing.  Remind them that your team has no basis for confidence if you are not taking the challenge each day.