--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is difficult for young players to…" description: "\"It is difficult for young players to learn - because of the great emphasis on records - but, ideally, the joy and frustration of sport should come from..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d22/john-wooden-420_concentration_it-is-difficult-for-young-players-to-lea_2422975.jpg" --- # It is difficult for young players to learn - because of… ![“It is difficult for young players to learn - because of the great emphasis on records - but, ideally, the joy and frustration of sport should come from the performance itself, not the score. While he is playing, the worst thing a player can think about in terms of concentration - and therefore of…” quote by John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d22/john-wooden-420_concentration_it-is-difficult-for-young-players-to-lea_2422975.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d22/john-wooden-420_concentration_it-is-difficult-for-young-players-to-lea_2422975.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d22/john-wooden-420_concentration_it-is-difficult-for-young-players-to-lea_2422975.jpg) > “It is difficult for young players to learn - because of the great emphasis on records - but, ideally, the joy and frustration of sport should come from the performance itself, not the score. While he is playing, the worst thing a player can think about in terms of concentration - and therefore of success - is losing. The next worst is winning.” [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Young athletes focus on scores, but true sport joy and success come from performance and mindset, not just winning or losing. **In simple terms:** Focus on effort, not the scoreboard. Key Takeaway Prioritize performance over results. Themes sports mindset development Mood motivational reflective Type sports psychology When to use this quote - coaching - player development - mental training Key Concepts intrinsic motivation performance focus Questions to Reflect On - How can coaches shift focus from scores to skill growth? - What practices help athletes stay present during competition? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on results can cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Concentration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concentration/) [Frustration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frustration/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) [Worst things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst-things/) [Young players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-players/) ## Related quotes > [The only way young players learn how to get better is by playing or get the experience is by playing and getting out there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/the-only-way-young-players-learn-how-to-get-better-is-by-playing-or/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [It is wonderful to work in an environment with a lot of smart people. It challenges you to think and work on a different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-mayer/it-is-wonderful-to-work-in-an-environment-with-a-lot-of-smart-people/) [Marissa Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-mayer/) > [I don't think that players learn how to play any other aspect of the game in high school or college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-robertson/i-don-t-think-that-players-learn-how-to-play-any-other-aspect-of-the/) [Oscar Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-robertson/) > [Live with the top players, learn from them, be with them in the tour. This is what I wanted when I was younger, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-alcaraz/live-with-the-top-players-learn-from-them-be-with-them-in-the-tour/) [Carlos Alcaraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-alcaraz/) > [You learn from everybody. You learn from the players. You learn from great coaches. You learn from great teams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-thibodeau/you-learn-from-everybody-you-learn-from-the-players-you-learn-from/) [Tom Thibodeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-thibodeau/) > [I always enjoy playing against great players. You can learn from the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vlade-divac/i-always-enjoy-playing-against-great-players-you-can-learn-from-the/) [Vlade Divac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vlade-divac/) > [Many alleged top players can and have still to learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jupp-heynckes/many-alleged-top-players-can-and-have-still-to-learn/) [Jupp Heynckes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jupp-heynckes/) > [All good players have to do that, to learn how to get better throughout the season. Just really work on my body. Just try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/all-good-players-have-to-do-that-to-learn-how-to-get-better/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [As more we play cricket, the more players will learn from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inzamam-ul-haq/as-more-we-play-cricket-the-more-players-will-learn-from-it/) [Inzamam-ul-Haq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inzamam-ul-haq/) > [I have been doing this for a long ,and it is the players who learn who you need to work with. You have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-benitez/i-have-been-doing-this-for-a-long-and-it-is-the-players-who-learn-who/) [Rafael Benitez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-benitez/) > [Small players learn to be intuitive, to anticipate, to protect the ball. A guy who weighs 90 kilos doesn't move like one who weighs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-iniesta/small-players-learn-to-be-intuitive-to-anticipate-to-protect-the-ball/) [Andres Iniesta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-iniesta/) > [If you look back at golfing history, there are many cases of players who had to learn the hard way. People have pointed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/if-you-look-back-at-golfing-history-there-are-many-cases-of-players/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [“The worst things you can do for the ones you love are the things they could and should do for themselves”—and”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/the-worst-things-you-can-do-for-the-ones-you-love-are-the-things-they/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Because he knows he has the talent to change games, you get the impression Neymar wants to be the one to do that something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-desailly/because-he-knows-he-has-the-talent-to-change-games-you-get-the/) [Marcel Desailly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-desailly/) > [I think David Johnson is getting better, if that's possible. I think he's a really good player. I think he can do a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-kuechly/i-think-david-johnson-is-getting-better-if-that-s-possible-i-think-he/) [Luke Kuechly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-kuechly/) ## More by John Wooden > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/defense-is-a-definite-part-of-the-game-and-a-great-part-of-defense-is/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it. -John wooden”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-so-important-who-starts-the-game-but-who-finishes-it-john/) [John wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“I remain convinced to this day that compassion like that—sincerely caring for your players and maintaining an active interest in their lives, concerns, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-remain-convinced-to-this-day-that-compassion-like-that-sincerely/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I'm not going to say I was opposed to the Vietnam War. I'm going to say I'm opposed to war. But I'm also opposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-m-not-going-to-say-i-was-opposed-to-the-vietnam-war-i-m-going-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating...too often fathers neglect it because they get so caught up in making a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/being-a-role-model-is-the-most-powerful-form-of-educating-too-often/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/approval-is-a-greater-motivator-than-disapproval-but-we-have-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Each of us has a huge capacity to learn and to achieve. Being ever alert makes the task of becoming all we are capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/each-of-us-has-a-huge-capacity-to-learn-and-to-achieve-being-ever/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Stay the course. When thwarted try again; harder; smarter. Persevere relentlessly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/stay-the-course-when-thwarted-try-again-harder-smarter-persevere/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Love is the most powerful four letter word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/love-is-the-most-powerful-four-letter-word/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [It takes 10 hands to score a basket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-takes-10-hands-to-score-a-basket/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [The best competition I have is against myself to become better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/the-best-competition-i-have-is-against-myself-to-become-better/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not, the habits you are developing now will be with you for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/whether-you-know-it-or-not-whether-you-like-it-or-not-the-habits-you/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Intensity makes you stronger. Emotionalism makes you weaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/intensity-makes-you-stronger-emotionalism-makes-you-weaker/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Reputation is what others perceive you as being, and their opinion may be right or wrong. Character, however, is what you really are, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/reputation-is-what-others-perceive-you-as-being-and-their-opinion-may/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) [Explore all 578 John Wooden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## More Concentration quotes > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-must-remember-that-intelligence-is-not-enough-intelligence-plus/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [It is a good practice to write at least on page of mantra daily. Many people get better concentration by writing than by chanting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/it-is-a-good-practice-to-write-at-least-on-page-of-mantra-daily-many/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [“Exceptional work is always associated with periods of deep concentration. Nothing excellent ever comes from a scattered effort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-horsley/exceptional-work-is-always-associated-with-periods-of-deep/) [Kevin Horsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-horsley/) > [Mental attitude and concentration are the keys to pitching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferguson-jenkins/mental-attitude-and-concentration-are-the-keys-to-pitching/) Ferguson Jenkins > [The essence of the stage is concentration and penetration. Of the screen action, movement, sweep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elia-kazan/the-essence-of-the-stage-is-concentration-and-penetration-of-the/) [Elia Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elia-kazan/) > [I can let go of a lot of stuff, but I focus on things I think I should, like dancing, because it takes 100…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuan-yuan-tan/i-can-let-go-of-a-lot-of-stuff-but-i-focus-on-things-i-think-i-should/) [Yuan Yuan Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuan-yuan-tan/) > [“Apply the blacksmith's homely principle when you are speaking. If you feel deeply about your subject you will be able to think of little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/apply-the-blacksmith-s-homely-principle-when-you-are-speaking-if-you/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Mindfulness develops attention, concentration and the ability to simply be present with little or no future orientation, past orientation or goal orientation—choosing to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gawler/mindfulness-develops-attention-concentration-and-the-ability-to/) Ian Gawler > [So too, monks, I saw the ancient path, the ancient road traveled by the Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the past. And what is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/so-too-monks-i-saw-the-ancient-path-the-ancient-road-traveled-by-the/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [Recently a study proved that working from a larger, less cluttered computer screen increases concentration. I could have told them that. And yes, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/recently-a-study-proved-that-working-from-a-larger-less-cluttered/) [Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/) > [If writing with a goal - whether it be evangelistic, apologetic, or didactic - implies propaganda, then all recorded history is propaganda. . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/if-writing-with-a-goal-whether-it-be-evangelistic-apologetic-or/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [... programming requires more concentration than other activities. It's the reason programmers get upset about 'quick interruptions' - such interruptions are tantamount to asking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-mcconnell/programming-requires-more-concentration-than-other-activities-it-s/) [Steve McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-mcconnell/) > [Any piece of knowledge which the pupil has himself acquired- any problem which he has himself solved, becomes, by virtue of the conquest, much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/any-piece-of-knowledge-which-the-pupil-has-himself-acquired-any/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [Our mind is a flowing something. It oscillates. Concentration is merely the continuous return to the same problem from a million angles… So my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-laubach/our-mind-is-a-flowing-something-it-oscillates-concentration-is-merely/) [Frank Laubach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-laubach/) [Browse all 1,154 Concentration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concentration/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is difficult for young players to learn - because of the great emphasis on records - but, ideally, the joy and frustration of sport should come from the performance itself, not the score. While he is playing, the worst thing a player can think about in terms of concentration - and therefore of success - is losing. 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