Diary of a Striker with Bethany Balcer: Seizing the Moment

Diary of a Striker is a Girls Soccer Network exclusive series from Bethany Balcer of OL Reign. Balcer will be giving readers an inside look at her journey as a professional player all season long. New posts drop every two weeks!

When you’re playing a sport, it’s easy to fall into the habit of going through the motions. Training a few times a week, game on the weekend, over and over and over again for the rest of the season. And within that context, it’s easy to be in a training session and doing repetitions over and over again. The point I’m trying to make here is that we can get into such a routine that we almost act like robots with what we’re doing. It’s second nature to us to perform certain tasks, and sometimes we do them mindlessly because it’s easy.

I’ve realized that there is much to learn from things we think are regular and ordinary in our day-to-day lives. And when looking specifically at a sport, it’s no different. I think of when I’m in a training session, and I’m working on my shooting. I’ll do anywhere from 10-20 shots per drill. What I notice is that I get so used to the routine of shooting and doing the drill part right that I’m not getting better or more effective with my shooting. I find that I think if I just practice ENOUGH, it will be enough. And while there is some truth to that statement, I think there is more value in learning how to MAKE whatever you’re doing enough. Whether it’s training for 1 hour or 10, how can you get the most out of what you’re working on? I’ve had multiple coaches tell me, “Don’t play the drill. Play the game.” It’s easy for us to cut corners and do the bare minimum just to get by, but that’s playing the drill. That’s not seeing the big picture and playing the game.

Going through the motions won’t grow you as a player or person. We have to be intentional with all the time we have. Each time I step out onto the field to train, I have to go in with a mindset that I will get better and not mindlessly pass or shoot the ball without trying to perfect my form. As with soccer, so it is with life. So many moments pass us by that we see as familiar and average. Whether it’s hanging out with friends, going on a hike, or even going to the grocery store, we do things regularly enough that sometimes we forget the value and beauty they hold.

Take each moment you get with someone and make the most of it. And take each moment you step onto the soccer field with gratefulness, knowing that you won’t be doing this for the rest of your life, and so it’s important to make the time count NOW.

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