What is the "next-man-up" mentality?

What is the "next-man-up" mentality?

The "next-man-up" mentality is a mindset that emphasizes preparedness, adaptability, and resilience, where every team member is ready to step in and perform at their best whenever called upon.

The next-man-up approach is essential for long-term team success, especially when injuries, slumps, and unexpected circumstances can affect the lineup at any time.

However, being a backup player is not an easy role on a team.

Bench players face several challenges:

* Motivation is difficult to sustain. If you rarely compete in games, you may see the purpose in preparation, "Why should I practice hard if I am going to sit on the bench."

The problem is that when you are called to sub in, you will feel overwhelmed and not confident due to a lack of preparation.

* Staying engaged on the sidelines can feel challenging. Often, bench players feel more like spectators than part of the team.

* Backups often lack the necessary practice reps to hone their craft. Again, this lack of preparation can lower your confidence.

* Many role players called upon in a pinch experience more anxiety due to a lack of playing time, the weight of expectations from teammates and coaches, or the unfamiliarity with the game plan.

Knowing how to meet these challenges helps you play better when needed, improves your value to the team, and likely earns you more playing time in the future.

Preparation is the essence of the "next-man-up" mentality.

To put it in school terms, it's a matter of mastering the material throughout the semester rather than cramming for the final.

What is the best way to prepare for competitions when you are a bench or role-player?

* Practice and train as if you were going to start. Since you cannot predict when your opportunity will come, prepare as if it were to happen tomorrow.

* Know the details of the team's game plan. Understanding the game plan and how to implement the plan will help you feel more comfortable and confident in game situations.

* Stay mentally engaged on the sidelines. Keeping your head in the game will help you smoothly transition into the flow of the game.

* VISUALIZE! If you are not getting many physical reps in practice, use visualization after practice to catch up on some mental reps.

The next-man-up mentality means stepping in and stepping up when called upon, and it requires a great deal of commitment and preparation. When teams adopt the next-man-up mentality, the entirety of the team is lifted as a whole, drastically increasing the odds of team success.