Overcoming Self-Doubt Through Sports
Danielle, 14, Illinois
We all face challenges in life. For me, one challenge I have faced and had to figure out was how to become confident in volleyball.
My journey began when I first went to camp the summer after 6th grade. I wasn’t very good at the sport, but I always had a passion for it. Camp showed me how much I truly loved playing, but also showed me how much work I still needed to do. This drove me to practice as much as I could on my own the rest of the summer. Although I couldn’t try out for the team until my 7th-grade year, I attended the next summer’s camp to get another round of practice on a team. This allowed me to show up to tryouts confident that I would make the team, and I put forth my best efforts all three days of tryouts.
When the day came for the finalized roster, I had mixed feelings about what the coaches had to say. “You’ve made the team, but you won’t have much playing time yet.” I knew I would have to earn it through hard work and dedication. This also meant showing up to practices with a good attitude, no matter what my mood was.
Throughout the first season I have ever been on a team, my confidence on the court started to dwindle. I tried my best to be as good as the other players on the team, but felt I did not measure up. I mostly filled in for the middle-back position, but that didn’t happen often. I had a number, but I felt as though I did not have a permanent position. I would get upset at the end of games, knowing that I sat on the bench while other players were on the court. This was a major challenge for me. I struggled with wanting to be on the team and support my teammates, while also wanting to play as an equal. My confidence in my playing abilities suffered because I felt I did not get a lot of hands-on experience. However, at the same time, I made some of my closest friends through the sport, and made some of my best memories that season.
My struggles with playing confidence and team equality continued for the two years I was on the volleyball team. However, my second season, during my 8th-grade year, helped me overcome most of these obstacles. I got a lot better through practices and felt better as a whole, knowing I was improving my skills. My coach put me in to serve, helping to start the first game of the season. I was nervous, but the adrenaline made me stronger in the moment. My very first serve was my very first ace. My team was super supportive, and I knew I would be put in a lot more for the rest of the season. As time went by, I continued to get better and more confident in myself and my abilities.
By the time the season was over, I was satisfied with the amount of playing time I got and the effort I put into the sport. I may not have played every game or the whole duration of a game, but knowing I was good enough to serve and play, along with the support of my teammates and friends, helped me overcome the doubts I had in myself.
