--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are three things an athlete must…" description: "\"There are three things an athlete must do. You must be in physical condition ... You must execute properly and quickly the fundamentals ... and you mus..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/john-wooden-420_athlete_there-are-three-things-an-athlete-must-d_3060928.png" --- # There are three things an athlete must do. You must be in… ![“There are three things an athlete must do. You must be in physical condition ... You must execute properly and quickly the fundamentals ... and you must have eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of the team.” quote by John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/john-wooden-420_athlete_there-are-three-things-an-athlete-must-d_3060928.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/john-wooden-420_athlete_there-are-three-things-an-athlete-must-d_3060928.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/john-wooden-420_athlete_there-are-three-things-an-athlete-must-d_3060928.png) > “There are three things an athlete must do. You must be in physical condition ... You must execute properly and quickly the fundamentals ... and you must have eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of the team.” [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. An athlete must stay fit, master fundamentals quickly, and prioritize team over self. **In simple terms:** Stay fit, master basics, put team first. Key Takeaway Focus on fitness, fundamentals, and selfless teamwork. Themes teamwork discipline selflessness Mood motivational pragmatic Type leadership inspirational When to use this quote - Sports training - corporate projects - community service Key Concepts Physical conditioning skill execution team dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance personal ambition with team goals? - When is self-sacrifice counterproductive? A Different Perspective May undervalue individual creativity and personal growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete/) [Athlete Physical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete-physical-368912/) [Conditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditions/) [Eagerness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eagerness/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Fundamentals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentals/) [Fundamentals Eagerness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentals-eagerness-5133816/) [Glory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glory/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Personal interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-interest/) [Physical Condition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physical-condition-453206/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Things Athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-athlete-284484/) [Three](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three/) [Three things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three-things/) [Welfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welfare/) ## Related quotes > [It is impossible to attain proper physical condition without being sound both mentally and morally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-is-impossible-to-attain-proper-physical-condition-without-being/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I always stress condition with my basketball players. I don’t mean physical condition only. You cannot attain and maintain physical condition unless you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-always-stress-condition-with-my-basketball-players-i-don-t-mean/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [You cannot attain and maintain physical condition unless you are morally and mentally conditioned. And it is impossible to be in moral condition unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/you-cannot-attain-and-maintain-physical-condition-unless-you-are/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [He has a method that likens the musician to an athlete, so I do physical exercises designed to keep a musician in shape in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-alpert/he-has-a-method-that-likens-the-musician-to-an-athlete-so-i-do/) [Herb Alpert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-alpert/) > [The best athletes in any sport take stretching very seriously before and after matches. Stretching is instrumental in any athlete's physical success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/the-best-athletes-in-any-sport-take-stretching-very-seriously-before/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [I'd never been much of an athlete, due to a physical condition I'd had since birth (unathleticism). 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These things do an athlete in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suleiman-nyambui/i-don-t-drink-i-don-t-kiss-girls-these-things-do-an-athlete-in/) [Suleiman Nyambui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suleiman-nyambui/) > [I do feel like since I am a third-generation wrestler, I do have to hold myself - and there are a lot of people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-blanchard/i-do-feel-like-since-i-am-a-third-generation-wrestler-i-do-have-to/) [Tessa Blanchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-blanchard/) > [One of the redeeming things about being an athlete is redefining what is humanly possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-armstrong/one-of-the-redeeming-things-about-being-an-athlete-is-redefining-what/) [Lance Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-armstrong/) > [One of the scariest things for any athlete, I think, is pretty much the off season.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/one-of-the-scariest-things-for-any-athlete-i-think-is-pretty-much-the/) [Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/) > [Some things as an athlete are very important for us. Representing our country for us is important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-ann-fraser-pryce/some-things-as-an-athlete-are-very-important-for-us-representing-our/) [Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-ann-fraser-pryce/) > [That's one of the biggest things as an athlete and as a player: you want to be where you're wanted, where you're valued.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/weston-mckennie/that-s-one-of-the-biggest-things-as-an-athlete-and-as-a-player-you/) [Weston McKennie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/weston-mckennie/) > [As a leader, you must be filled with energy and eagerness, joy and love for what you do. If you lack enthusiasm for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/as-a-leader-you-must-be-filled-with-energy-and-eagerness-joy-and-love/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## 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 Athlete quotes > [As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-hoya/as-a-professional-athlete-and-someone-who-has-spent-almost-his-entire/) [Oscar De La Hoya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-hoya/) > [I'd noticed him watching me for a year or so, especially when we'd play games where there was running or jumping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-owens/i-d-noticed-him-watching-me-for-a-year-or-so-especially-when-we-d/) [Jesse Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-owens/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [I think what bothers us about fighting sports isn't the damage to the athlete but the fact that you win by doing more harm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gottschall/i-think-what-bothers-us-about-fighting-sports-isn-t-the-damage-to-the/) [Jonathan Gottschall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gottschall/) > [Athletes at all ages are bigger and stronger than ever before. And they are being encouraged - sometimes even incentivized, as we recently learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-jain/athletes-at-all-ages-are-bigger-and-stronger-than-ever-before-and/) [Naveen Jain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-jain/) > [I think life is full of challenges and problems. I don't believe that anyone is perfect. We all make mistakes. It's not a bed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-mansell/i-think-life-is-full-of-challenges-and-problems-i-don-t-believe-that/) [Nigel Mansell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-mansell/) > [I'd never been much of an athlete, due to a physical condition I'd had since birth (unathleticism). Perhaps if there were a sport centered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colson-whitehead/i-d-never-been-much-of-an-athlete-due-to-a-physical-condition-i-d-had/) [Colson Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colson-whitehead/) > [I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-didn-t-set-out-to-be-the-first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [I like to push characters to extremes so they have to make really tough decisions and there is no life more extreme than that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cleave/i-like-to-push-characters-to-extremes-so-they-have-to-make-really/) [Chris Cleave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cleave/) > [I don't want to say names, but there are certain companies I won't work with because of previous people they've worked with. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-morgan/i-don-t-want-to-say-names-but-there-are-certain-companies-i-won-t/) [Alex Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-morgan/) > [We are like highly trained athletes, who never run a race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-samuelson/we-are-like-highly-trained-athletes-who-never-run-a-race/) [Paul Samuelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-samuelson/) > [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [I didn't aspire to be a good sport; 'champion' was good enough for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-perry/i-didn-t-aspire-to-be-a-good-sport-champion-was-good-enough-for-me/) [Fred Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-perry/) > [Treat yourself like an overweight, out of shape person and that's what you will be. Why not train and treat yourself like an athlete?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chalene-johnson/treat-yourself-like-an-overweight-out-of-shape-person-and-that-s-what/) [Chalene Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chalene-johnson/) [Browse all 2,455 Athlete quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are three things an athlete must do. You must be in physical condition ... 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