Athletes don't need more pressure; they need deeper roots.

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Photo by: Above the Rim Media WTX

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In today’s competitive sports culture, athletes are constantly told to push harder, do more, and be better. Rankings, stats, scholarships, and social media highlights can make it feel like success is measured only by performance. While motivation is important, there’s a growing truth that often gets overlooked: athletes don’t need more pressure — they need deeper roots.

Deeper roots come from connection, trust, and belonging. When athletes feel grounded, supported, and valued as people, not just players, they develop the confidence and resilience needed to thrive both on and off the field.

Somewhere along the way, sports became louder.

More expectations.

More rankings.

More comparisons.

More pressure.

But what our athletes truly need isn’t another voice telling them to do more — it’s a foundation strong enough to hold them when things get hard.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith…”

— Colossians 2:6–7

Team Bonding Builds More Than Chemistry

Strong teams aren’t built only in practice or game situations. They’re built in locker rooms, on bus rides, during team meals, and through shared experiences. Team bonding creates trust, accountability, and genuine relationships.

When athletes feel connected to their teammates, they’re more willing to communicate, encourage one another, and fight through adversity together. Wins feel sweeter, losses hurt less, and challenges become opportunities for growth instead of reasons to quit.

Real teams aren’t built on talent alone.

When teammates become family, pressure feels lighter.

Losses hurt less.

Wins mean more.

Connection creates courage.

And courage creates champions.

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”

— Psalm 133:1

Coaches Who Care About the Person, Not Just the Player

A coach’s influence reaches far beyond the scoreboard. Athletes remember how a coach made them feel long after the season ends. Coaches who take time to understand their players — their struggles, goals, family life, and mental health — create a safe environment for growth.

When athletes know their coach genuinely cares about them as people, they’re more likely to trust, listen, and give their best effort. They don’t play out of fear of failure, but out of respect, pride, and belief in themselves and their team.

To the Coaches

You may be the most influential adult in their life outside of home.

Never underestimate that power.

Wins fade. Records fade.

But the way you treat your athletes will be remembered forever.

When you care about who they are — not just how they perform — you create trust. When you ask how their day was, when you notice their body language, when you protect their mental health, you change lives.

Coach them hard.

But love them harder.

Because when athletes feel safe, valued, and believed in, they will give you everything they have — not out of fear, but out of respect.

“Encourage one another and build each other up.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:11

A Strong Support System Changes Everything

Behind every confident athlete is a network of support: parents, siblings, teammates, coaches, mentors, and friends. This support system reminds athletes of who they are beyond the jersey number.

On hard days, encouragement matters. On great days, celebration matters. Knowing someone has their back through success and setbacks gives athletes the courage to keep showing up, even when things get tough.

To the Parents

Your words matter more than you realize.

Your car-ride conversations after the games matter.

Your hugs after tough losses matter.

Your child doesn’t need to hear what they did wrong the moment they step off the field or court. They need to hear that you’re proud of their effort. That you love them whether they score zero points or break a record.

When you show up — in the stands, at practices, in their everyday life — you are building roots. You’re teaching them their worth isn’t tied to a stat line. You’re giving them confidence that lasts far beyond sports.

One day the jersey will come off.

But the lessons you teach will stay forever.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

— Proverbs 22:6

Growth Comes from Stability, Not Pressure

Pressure may create short-term results, but stability creates long-term success. Athletes who feel rooted — emotionally and mentally — develop stronger character, leadership skills, and self-belief.

When we shift the focus from “How much more can we push them?” to “How can we better support them?” we create healthier athletes and stronger teams. Success becomes about growth, not just trophies.

To the Athletes

You are more than your stats.

More than your mistakes.

More than one bad game.

You are allowed to grow.

You are allowed to struggle.

You are allowed to have off days.

The right team will lift you.

The right coach will guide you.

The right people will remind you who you are when you forget.

Your roots matter more than your results.

Because confidence comes from knowing you belong — win or lose.

“I praise you because you are fearfully and wonderfully made.”

— Psalm 139:14

Athletes don’t need more weight on their shoulders. They need deeper roots beneath their feet. Roots built on connection, care, and community. Because when athletes are supported as people first, they become stronger competitors naturally.

Photo by: Above the Rim Media WTX

Written By: Kelsey Hull Owner/CEO Above the Rim Media WTX

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