How to Become a Professional Athlete: Steps to Becoming a Professional Athlete

Want to become a professional athlete? Whether you are five, fifteen, or twenty-five there are steps to becoming a professional athlete that you will have to take.

Use the energy from your dream, and the drive from your passion for the sport to push yourself to new levels of athletic performance. Follow these steps to pursue your dream of becoming a professional athlete.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. FOCUS ON A FEW SPORTS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
   
   Many athletes make the mistake of attempting to be good at four or five different sports. It is very difficult to become an expert in any area if your focus is too broad. Pick a few early on, and narrow it down even farther as you go. Studies show there is a minimum of ten years between serious engagement with a sport and reaching expert or professional status.

2. TRAIN HARD FOR YOUR BEST SPORT.
   
   Athletic training is absolutely key to becoming a professional athlete. A home gym can help you be regular in your fitness routine. Research the best strength exercises for your sport and be sure to use good form if you are using a home gym. Train in season and off season to keep your competitive edge growing.

3. FIND A PERSONAL TRAINER.
   
   You will plateau in your fitness with a home gym regimen eventually. Consider finding a personal trainer to push you through to new levels and target your fitness for your primary sport.

4. CONNECT WITH OTHER SERIOUS ATHLETES.
   
   Studies of athletic performance call this forming communities of practice. Every professional athlete has stories to share of connecting with high level athletes and learning from them. This is why so many professional athletes have family members who went pro. If you don't have that family connection, you need to create it. Be aggressive in finding high level athletes to learn from and compete against.

5. PRACTICE RELENTLESSLY.
   
   You will need to practice your sport deliberately and relentlessly. A home gym only helps your strength and perhaps your speed. Actual practice of the sport is key to reaching new skills. You will have to

6. GET PERSONAL COACHING.
   
   No athlete breaks through their own barriers without personalized attention from a specialized coach. Be willing to invest the money required if you want to break into the professional level of athletic competition.

7. SWITCH YOUR GOALS TO MATCH YOUR BODY TYPE AND SKILLS.
   
   As your body matures and develops you will find that you have to adjust and adapt. Nearly every professional athlete either switches sports in early adolescence or switches position/style of play. Pay attention to your natural abilities and attributes. Don't switch too often. But don't hold onto a dream that your body can't carry.

8. COMPETE IN COLLEGE.
   
   For many professional athletes, college sports are the gateway to the professional world. Scholarships make schooling more affordable. The personalized coaching attention helps them break into new levels. Compete at your best level every time since you never know when scouts are watching.

9. LEARN YOUR SPORT INSIDE AND OUT.
   
   Know the strategies and detailed concepts of your sport at every level. Read books and magazines, discuss finer points with coaches, and become a sponge for anything related to your sport. To compete at a professional level, much of this knowledge will have to become nearly instinct.
   
   See tips and warnings below for more on becoming a professional athlete.

Tips & Warnings

• Pick a sport you love with passion.
• Invest in good home gym equipment.
• Build your workout on your home gym to match your sports requirements. (i.e. Don't bulk up for long distance running.)
• Invest in good footwear to protect your feet, legs, and knees from long term injuries.
• Don't think you can become a professional athlete without constant intense work. This will take everything you have.

[writedesign]

on 7/9/2009 Great advice on becoming a professional athlete!

[dorigillman]

on 7/8/2009 good article as usual.

[wdk40]

on 7/8/2009 Be flexible with your dreams. That is why your multi sport start is important.