In his rookie season professional baseball player, Nelson Cruz lacked discipline and patience as a hitter. In the minor leagues, Cruz was a standout player, but he struggled at the plate more often than none. “I didn’t have the patients to be a successful hitter,” said Cruz, “I now know that whatever the situation, I have to stick to my approach, be patient, and make the right adjustments at the right time.” With his new approach, Cruz began the following season with a 14-game hitting streak, five home runs, and a .391 batting average. The saying “patience is a […]
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01
Oct
2010
Patience is a Powerful Mental Tool in Sports
29
Sep
2010
Use Warm-ups to Focus Your Mind
All good athletes use a warm-up routine one hour before they play. Besides helping you get loose and limber, a warm-up routine has several psychological advantages. The first is that it helps you get focused to play. A warm-up routine helps click in your concentration and put on your game face. It is similar to a runner who stretches before a run or a pilot who performs a checklist to make sure everything is in good order before take-off. Second, this is an excellent time to put the concerns of your life behind you and prepare for the game. […]
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29
Sep
2010
Wimbledon 2010
History was made at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, when John Isner and Nicolas Mahut battled on the court for a record 11 hours, 5 minutes spread over three days. Both players displayed remarkable mental toughness throughout the match, but Inser took the victory 70-68 in the fifth set. “It was the will to win. Not that I outwilled him; I mean, obviously, he gave it his all,” Isner said. Reasonably, both men were wiped out when it was all said and done. Isner “was incoherent” for 20 minutes, according to his coach, Craig Boynton. “We played the greatest match […]
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24
Sep
2010
Nadal’s Aggressive Approach at the US Open
Before the U.S Open, ESPN tennis analyst Brad Gilbert stated that “a win in New York gives Rafael Nadal the best season ever by a man.” On September 12, Nadal did just that, becoming the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to win three consecutive Grand Slam titles. However, winning in New York wasn’t an easy feat for Nadal. He’s the No. 1-ranked player in the world, but until Sunday, he had never reached the final of the U.S. Open.”It’s one of the most important tournaments — for me, probably the most important,” said Nadal. When asked to […]
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22
Sep
2010
Federer Accesses the Zone
The zone is a state of supreme focus that help athletes perform at their peak when they become totally immersed into their performance. Athletes depict the zone in many ways, such as the driver merges with the car; the tennis player joins her mind with the ball and court; the swimmer becomes one with the water; and so on. Five-time champion at Flushing Meadows, Rodger Federer found the zone early in the opening round Monday night against 96th-ranked Brain Dabul. Federer hit 18 aces in his 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory, but no shot was more exciting than his between […]
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21
Sep
2010
Atwal Wins Big With Nothing to Lose Mindset
Many athletes feel pressure when they have high or strict expectations about how they should perform. Expectations are what you demand of yourself during competition. They are usually about obtaining a certain result (score for 18 holes), game statistics (number of goals in a game), or quality of performance. They often cause you to judge your performance based on predetermined expectations. PGA Tournament Pro Arjun Atwal went into the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., with no expectations and nothing to lose. He had no playing status on the PGA Tour. “Guys are going to be […]
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17
Sep
2010
Wayne Gretzky on the Mental Game of Hockey
Hockey fans know Wayne Gretzky as “The Great One” for his unbelievable talent, and superior hockey mentality. In a recent interview, the hockey legend discussed the mental aspects of hockey. He explained that to be a great hockey player you must display mental toughness and awareness on the ice. This means playing your hardest, reacting to different situations, and keeping up with the speed of the game. Gretzky explains that pregame warm-ups are key to embracing a hockey mindset. “You have to take advantage of your pregame warm-up. It helps you get in the right mindset to perform,” said […]
Read moreOne thing every NHL team needs is a tough guy or enforcer ready to take hits, give hits, and intimidate their opponent. The tough guy provides his team with energy, momentum, and confidence. Ian Laperriere “Lappy” of the Philadelphia Flyers is recognized as one of the top tough guys in the league. When asked about his mental approach and preparation for sports toughest game he stated, “I have always been a physical player. I am not afraid to challenge my opponents and be as good as I can be on a nightly basis.” Players like Laperriere are tough physically, […]
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12
Sep
2010
Why Tim Tebow Should Not Change His Delivery
Tim Tebow is considered to be one of the best college football players to ever play the game. He was the first college player to rush and pass for twenty or more touchdowns in a single season, and the first sophomore player to win the Heisman Trophy. He had great success in college leading his team to two National Championships, but skeptics questions his ability to perform in the Nation Football League. Tebow was drafted 25th overall by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Many scouts and coaches believe this was a risky pick for the […]
Read moreIs there a relationship between personality type and sport preference? How do those know what their sports personality might be? What do those who participate in the same sports have in common? In order to answer questions related to sports psychology, over five hundred athletes were tested and evaluated. To examine the relationship between personality types, sport preferences and performance, team and individual athletes’ personality profiles were designed. Results indicated that teams exhibit a predictable personality profile and that by understanding the psyche of the athlete, performance and team productivity can be enhanced. Optimal communication and performance can be […]
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