Athletes are those powerful and indefatigable beings who dream big and try hard...who have achieved top standing in their chosen field of sport through years of training. Continue Reading
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Explore Career What are the typical responsibilities of an Athlete?
An Athlete would typically need to:
Athletes participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators. The events in which Athletes compete include team sports, such as baseball, softball, hockey, and soccer, as well as individual sports like tennis, swimming, and skiing. The level of play varies greatly. Some Athletes may compete in regional competitions, while others compete in national or international events.
Depending on the setting of the sport (indoors or outdoors) and the rules, Athletes compete in many different conditions. Outdoor track-and-field Athletes often compete in hot or rainy conditions.
Many Athletes must travel to sporting events. Such travel may include long bus rides or plane trips, and, in some cases, international travel. The dress code of Athletes would depend on the sport they play and the conditions under which they play. Many wear pads, gloves, goggles, helmets, and other protective gear to protect themselves against injury.
Athletes often work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays when the public typically has the time to watch sports. During the sports season, they usually work more than 40 hours a week for several months as they practice, train, travel, and compete.
An Athlete’s work schedule will vary across the year. They train, travel, and compete extensively during the season for their sport but have a lot of downtime at other times.
Athletes would usually find employment in spectator sports or fitness and recreational sports centres. Self-employment is a definite possibility. Professional Athletes who compete in individual games don't have regular jobs. They do not work for employers but choose the competitions or tournaments they wish to compete in. For example, a professional runner may decide to enter the Boston Marathon and then travel to Atlanta for the Peachtree Road Race.
Athletes generally compete in:
Athletes may join professional groups specific to a particular sport such as tennis. Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for Athletes interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as an Athlete.
Extensive experience (in high school and college sports) and a track record of high performance in their sport are required to become a professional Athlete.
Athletes gain the requisite superior athletic talent, extensive knowledge, and experience by competing at lower levels in high school, college, or club teams. Athletes may also improve their skills by taking private or group lessons or attending sports camps.
Although Athletes and Sports Competitors typically have a high school diploma or equivalent, no formal educational credential is required for them to enter the occupation. They must have extensive knowledge of the sport - especially its rules, regulations, and strategies.
A high school diploma will provide you with the basic skills that you will need in your long climb to becoming a Professional Athlete. In many sports, from basketball to baseball to golf, a college education is invaluable. Professional players are often first noticed by scouts who come to watch college players. Athletic scholarships are available at many colleges in several sports, although football, basketball, and baseball players are the main beneficiaries.
There are no certification or licensing requirements for professional Athletes. Most sports require their professional Athletes to pass drug tests.
Turning professional is often the biggest advancement that aspiring Athletes can make in their careers. They often begin to compete immediately, although some may spend more time on the bench (as a reserve) to gain experience. Professional Athletes advance into the elite numbers of their sport by displaying superior performance and receiving accolades; in turn, they earn a higher salary. Others may receive endorsements from companies and brands.
Professional Athletes usually obtain representation by sports agents in the behind-the-scenes deals that determine which teams they will be playing for and what they will earn. These agents may also be involved with other key decisions regarding commercial endorsements, personal income taxes, and the Athlete’s financial investments.
Very few Athletes reach the top-paying positions in any sport. For instance, of all the players who are given a chance in one of baseball's minor league farm clubs, only about 25 percent get to play major league ball. Only a few of these major league ballplayers become superstars with very high salaries, but even the superstars cannot play forever. Many Athletes' careers are cut short due to injuries.
Even if an injury doesn't end your professional career, you won't be able to, nor will you want to, compete forever. Athletes retire at a relatively young age, and most want to continue to stay active. Athletes need to examine their employment options before their short athletic careers are over.
Athletes with college training often find work in fields such as advertising and broadcasting. Some Athletes go into coaching, training, or managing professional or school teams; others open restaurants or sporting goods stores or work for community recreation departments; still others may become scouts or sports reporters.
People with natural talent, stamina, and competitive drive have the best prospects of becoming successful Athletes.
Although certain sports have a particular season, most professional Athletes train rigorously throughout the year, varying the type and duration of their workouts to develop strength, cardiovascular ability, flexibility, endurance, speed, and quickness, as well as to focus on technique and control.
Athletes train year-round, on their own, or with a coach, friend, parent, or trainer. In addition to stretching and exercising the specific muscles used in any given sport, Athletes concentrate on developing excellent eating and sleeping habits that will help them remain in top condition throughout the year.
Athletes often watch videos or films of their previous practices or competitions to see where they can improve their performance. They also study what the other competitors are doing to develop and implement strategies for winning.
Very few Athletes make it to the professional level. Those who do reach this achievement only after years of playing school or club sports.
Athletes are people with natural talent, stamina, and competitive drive. They have excellent reflexes and coordination and are well disciplined when it comes to rigorous practice and training. The use of the term in sports such as golf or auto racing is somewhat controversial.
Amateur vs. Professional Athletes
Amateur Athletes play or compete in amateur circles for titles or trophies only. Professional Athletes participate in individual sports such as tennis or as part of a team in organized sports such as football, competing against others to win prizes and money.
Pursuing a Career in Professional Sports
By playing the sport and talking to coaches, trainers, and other Athletes on the field, you can ascertain whether you like the game enough to make it a career, determine if you have enough talent, and gain new insight into the field. You can also contact professional organizations and associations for how to best prepare for a career in their sport. Sometimes there are specialized training programs available, and the best way to find out is to get in contact with the people whose job it is to promote the sport.
When is it a Good Time to Start?
If you are interested in pursuing a career in professional sports, you should start participating in that sport as early as possible. Prospective Professional Athletes must start playing sports early—in any court, field, or backlot. They should try to make it onto school or club teams, especially in high school. Good eyesight is essential in most sports, and glasses or contact lenses may be a drawback.
With some sports, an individual who is 15 years old may already be too old to begin pursuing a professional career realistically. Scouts may be watching, or coaches may be looking for Olympic hopefuls. Athletes who play individual sports should try out for national amateur tournaments or competitions.
Varying Methods of Entry
Methods of entry into professional Athletics vary with the particular sport. For example, professional baseball and football teams draft outstanding players from colleges. In the case of baseball, players are usually sent first to the system of farm teams, which are owned by the major league teams, where they continue to try to qualify for the big league. Football players are drafted directly from colleges to the professional teams.
Competitions
Getting a job in professional Athletics depends on winning in amateur competition. Some sports have exclusive avenues to pursue; for instance, outstanding amateur ice skaters can apply for auditions for a limited number of companies that put on ice shows all over the country. Some of the less traditional sports, such as professional skateboarding, have associations and leagues that sponsor competitions for prize money.
The Field of Competitors Can Be Small or Large
Depending on the nature of the specific sport, most Athletes compete against a field of individuals. The arena of competitors can be limited to one (tennis, boxing) or encompass the range of qualified competitors, anywhere from six to 30 (figure skating or cycling). In certain individual events, such as a marathon or triathlon, the field may seem excessively large—often tens of thousands of runners compete in the New York Marathon—but for the professional runners competing in the race, only a handful of other runners represent real competition.
Cancellation / Postponement of or Withdrawal from Sporting Events
Organizing officials can call off a sporting event at any point, or postpone competition until better weather. Indoor games are less subject to cancellation; however, since it is in the best interests of an organization not to risk the Athletes' health, any condition that might adversely affect the outcome of a competition is usually reason enough to cancel or postpone it. Athletes may choose to withdraw from a contest if they are injured or ill.
Some Common Misconceptions
Some common misconceptions regarding Athletics are that you will get to play all the time, a professional team will draft you for sure, you will make a lot of money, or you will be famous.
The Sweat. The Time. The Devotion. It all pays off, for Success isn’t given. It’s earned. On the Track. On the Field. In the Gym. With Blood, Sweat, and the Occasional Tear.
Dreams are free. Goals have a cost. While you can daydream for free, goals don't come without a price. Time, effort, sacrifice, and sweat. How will you pay for your goals?
Elite Athletes have an area of the brain that performs 82 percent faster than average under intense pressure.
What do Athletes do?
An Athlete would typically need to:
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