Student-athlete Tip of the Week - 10/19/15

Before the Major League Baseball playoffs began, Chicago Cub pitcher Jon Lester was reflecting on the youth of his teammates when he said that the playoffs is nothing that can be explained, they have to be experienced. Now the Cubs have their chance to do so.

In high school sports, playoffs are in the form of state tournaments. Like most sporting events, the favorites are usually the ones that have performed the best during the regular season. However, state tournaments wipe the slate clean for every team, good or bad. It's a fresh start.

Don't predetermine your expected outcome based on your regular season record. Upsets and the unexpected seem to happen more than you think. So go into every game believing you have a chance to win, regardless of what happened in previous games or past history. It took the Cubs over 100 years to clinch a playoff berth on their home field. Hopefully, you experience a big moment during your high school career!