Does Hard Work Pay Off For Athletes?

Speed, hand-eye coordination, jumping ability and strength are all factors associated with successful performance in sports. Physical talent allows youngsters to advance to high school teams, high school athletes to win college scholarships and college athletes to have a chance to play professionally. However, the competition is stiff at all levels and the talent must be accompanied by effort and hard work if it is going to lead to on-field success.

Physical Talent

Physical talent is a factor in becoming a top athlete, but according to many who have reached the highest levels, physical gifts are unimportant compared to work ethic. John Wooden coached the UCLA Bruins to nine NCAA championships and is often considered the top college basketball coach in the sport's history. His pyramid formula for success is used in sports and business. He said physical talent is a minor factor compared to motivation and hard work. "Many athletes have tremendous God-given gifts. ... Who are these individuals?" Wooden told the Chicago Tribune. "You have never heard of them and you never will."

Building Consistency

Hitting a baseball consistently is one of the most difficult tasks in sports. A pitch may be coming toward a batter at speeds exceeding 95 mph and the pitcher can make it break sharply or sink. While quick reactions are needed, Hall of Fame baseball player Cal Ripken said that working hard in batting practice is the key to hitting the ball squarely. "You have to develop a plan for hitting and you can only do that if you know what it takes to hit the ball hard," Ripken said. "That takes hard work and the ability to repeat your swing. It doesn't matter how strong you are. You have to develop an efficient swing and you have to work hard to get there."

Off-Field Conditioning

Football players have to battle each other on the field for 60 minutes in a competitive game. Coaches spend hours every week preparing a game plan for their team. However, the gains players make in their physical abilities come in the off-season during conditioning work. Football players lift weights to get stronger and work on their running technique to get faster. Those who work the hardest are often rewarded with the most success on the field. In his 2011 Hall of Fame induction speech, former Bronco and Raven tight end Shannon Sharpe pointed to his work ethic as the source for his success. He spent hours in the gym during the off-season and before and after games to reach his potential. "I know I wouldn't have made it if I didn't work the way I did," Sharpe said.

Psychological Freedom

Athletes learn from an early age that those who work hardest have the best chance to be successful in their chosen sport. An athlete knows that if she has given everything she has in training and in coming up with a strategy, she will have no regrets. She goes into the competition with the psychological freedom of knowing there was nothing else she could have done. An athlete who has not worked hard may be filled with self-doubt as the competition begins and this can cause a subpar effort.