🕹️ Game IQ: Seeing the Game Differently

📰 COLLEGIATE ELITES WEEKLY

Issue 021 — November 4, 2025

Ever notice how some athletes always seem to be in the right place at the right time?
They anticipate plays, make quick decisions, and stay composed when the game speeds up.

That’s not luck. That’s Game IQ.

Game IQ is what helps athletes see the bigger picture, make smarter decisions, and elevate everyone around them. Physical skill gets you noticed. Game IQ keeps you in the game.

🧠 WHAT GAME IQ REALLY MEANS

Game IQ is your ability to understand, anticipate, and react with purpose. It’s not about athletic ability, it’s about awareness and intention.

Athletes with strong Game IQ:

• Know time, score, and situation at all times

• Anticipate what’s next, not just react to what’s happening

• Understand how their role fits the team’s goals

• Learn fast from both wins and mistakes

Game IQ isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build through attention and curiosity.

🔍 HOW IT SHOWS UP

You can spot Game IQ in the small details that make a big difference. Athletes with high awareness:

• Move before the play develops: They anticipate where the ball, opponents, or teammates will be, so they’re already in position instead of reacting late.

• Communicate clearly and confidently: They call out instructions, support teammates, and keep everyone on the same page, even in fast-paced moments.

• Adjust when plans change: When a play breaks down, they pivot quickly, make decisions on the fly, and keep the team organized under pressure.

• Make their teammates better without needing credit: They set the tone through action, encouraging others and creating opportunities for everyone to succeed.

🎮 BUILDING YOUR GAME IQ

You can train your awareness just like any physical skill. Here’s how:

1. Watch the Game Differently
Don’t just follow the ball. Watch how players move off it, how plays develop, and what decisions lead to results.

2. Ask Questions
Curious athletes grow faster. Ask your coaches why something worked, not just what to do next.

3. Study Game or Practice Film (Even Your Own)
Film shows patterns you miss in the moment. Learn from what you see, and connect decisions to outcomes.

4. Practice With Purpose
Every drill has a reason. Know what you’re training for, and focus on how it connects to game situations.

5. Learn From Every Role
Starters, subs, and sideline leaders all see the game from different angles. Each perspective helps sharpen your awareness.

🎯 FINAL THOUGHT

Game IQ doesn’t come from talent, it comes from intentional attention.
It’s built in the quiet moments: watching, asking, and learning.

The best athletes don’t just play the game.
They understand it.

✅ TAKE ACTION

📍 In Seattle?

Come train with us in person at the Collegiate Elites weight room.
Get hands-on coaching, structured training, and the same environment our college athletes trust to stay sharp. 👉

🌐 Not local?
Train with a former college athlete — online or in your area. 👉