What are the common factors in the successful student-athletes I have coached and guided?
They were all skilled and dedicated but their commitment becomes a reality due to ONE (highly-underrated) factor and that is their ability to manage their time efficiently.
The pressure of performance in studies and field can be stressful for anyone, but the additional demands placed on student-athletes can lead to severe consequences on well-being, motivation, and perseverance because even as teenagers - they basically have 2 full-time jobs. As coaches and parents, it is vital to imbibe the culture of valuing time and managing it efficiently so that each child can perform to his/her peak as a student and a football player.
I always assure parents that only if good time management is practiced on a day-to-day basis can a student-athlete be able to excel in their sport and in the classroom.