Is a Success Formula Necessary?

A success formula is like a recipe or set of instructions describing how to successfully and consistently create something. For example, if your young athlete’s goal is to prepare at an elite level, what do they need to add to the mix that produces high-level preparation? What habits, mentality, training, nutrition and physical elements contribute to the formula? If their goal is to elevate their game in competitions, what ingredients are necessary to ensure that outcome? A success formula or recipe outlines the key components, step-by-step directions and possible modifications necessary to meet an athlete’s practice, improvement or competition goals. Why is a success formula necessary? Too often, athletes have a list of no-nos–things to avoid–when they’re heading into a competition.

Here are common no-nos on athletes’ lists:

• Football – “Don’t turn the ball over. Don’t throw any interceptions.”
• Basketball – “Don’t make unnecessary fouls. Don’t force my shot.”
• Baseball – “Don’t leave the ball over the middle of the plate.”
• Swimming – “Don’t breathe off the turn.

The problem is that a list of “don’ts” fails to tell kids what they should be doing. Focusing on what to avoid often leads to making those very errors. To achieve athletic success, post a personal best, or secure a victory, sports kids should focus on their mental and physical preparation, intended play style, mindset and game plan. How can young athletes create a success formula? Creating this formula requires kids to review past performances and their best competitions and identify what has worked for them. When kids achieved their best performances, how did they prepare, what was their mindset before the competition, what was their focus, what was their intensity level? Their success formula is the combination of factors that sparked peak performance. When kids focus on their strengths and success formula, they compete more confidently. After a slow start to the 2024-25 NHL season, the Philadelphia Flyers tried to find their rhythm and piece together a string of wins. Following a six-game losing streak, the Flyers won three of four games to steady themselves, including two consecutive games for the first time during the season.

Philadelphia right winger Bobby Brink commented on the team’s need to replicate their successful style of play from a year ago. “We know what made us successful last year, and it was kind of playing the way we did these last two [games]. I think we’re getting back to it, and it has led to a couple of wins here,” Brink said. Every athlete has experienced success at some point in their career. Within those successes are details that have contributed to peak performance. By highlighting past positive aspects, habits and attitudes, sports kids can create a formula that will contribute to future success. After athletes have highlighted the specific ingredients that lead to successful and consistent performances, they should create a phrase that summarizes their success formula. This phrase should serve as a brief reminder of how sports kids want to compete. A phrase such as “Outwork, out-hustle and overcome” can remind kids to stay aggressive, make hustle plays and never give up