Junior year. It's the year for college-bound high schoolers.
As a junior who is also an athlete, I not only have to worry about SATs, PSSAs (standardized testing), AP tests, and the usual college-searching shindig; I also have to somehow make myself known to colleges as an athlete. More specifically, a softball player.
Today I went to a skills video shoot with some girls on my travel team. The usual aspects were focused on; hitting, fielding, and since I'm a catcher, blocking and throw-downs. Overall, I think I did okay, but I was nowhere near fully satisfied with my performance.
Then again, I've been told that I sell my self short too much. But is that really a bad thing?
My real problem is over-thinking. You know those times where you know what you're doing, but when it comes time to show it, you suddenly start thinking too much and you just have an EPIC FAIL?
Yeah, that's me all the time.
But supposedly, according to the instructor that we had, college scouts actually LIKE to see mistakes. If they see your skills video and like what they see, and actually go to see you play in a game, then they supposedly want to see something go wrong. That way, they can see first hand how you handle a bad situation.
How 'bout some examples?
You're up to bat, and you hit a shallow fly ball right to the pitcher. Are you jogging to 1st? Or are you sprinting full speed through the base?
If you strike out, are you hanging your head when you walk back to the dugout, throwing your bat? Or are you running back to the dugout, grabbing your glove and turning to cheer on the next batter?
I thought more about what the instructor said, and I must say, it makes sense. If they saw your skills video and show up at a game, that must mean they liked what they saw, right? So they gotta be looking for something more than just your playing level.
Plus, this guy's son is a junior and already has a full-ride to Pitt, so he probably knows what he's talking about.
So what do you think? Agree, disagree?
- Jexellan.
P.S. Also, if you have any tips on skills videos, applying for colleges, etc., I'd really like to hear them. Thanks! :]
