Athletes can sometimes sabotage their own success in sports. They “get in their own way” when they try too hard, force their game, over think and over analyze their performance. I’m sure you have heard me mention the phenomenon of “paralysis by over analysis.” If you or your athletes think too much or over analyze their performance, they don’t trust their skills and get in their own way. Athletes who allow their talents to shine can play freely, trust their skills, and don’t feel added pressure to be perfect when they perform. Coaches play an important role in an […]
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19
Oct
2010
In Sports the Game is a Test
07
Oct
2010
Halladay Uses His Mental Skills to Succeed
Philadelphia Phillies’ ace, Roy Halladay made history in his postseason debut hurling the second no- hitter in Major league postseason history against the Cincinnati Reds. Halladay also threw a perfect game earlier in the season against the Marlins, making him the first pitcher in MLB history to throw a perfect game and a no-hitter in the same season. “It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Halladay in a postgame interview, “This is why I love the game.” When asked how satisfied he was with his postseason debut Halladay responded, “Complacency is something that can make you peak. If you can avoid […]
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01
Oct
2010
Patience is a Powerful Mental Tool in Sports
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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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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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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20
Sep
2010
Coaches Need Team Leaders
Your team captains have a huge impact on your team’s success, your sanity, and your satisfaction as a coach. Coaches should choose responsible and respected team leaders as their captains. Look for leaders when selecting your team. Of course you will look for talent when you select athletes for your team – but also be on the lookout for leadership ability. Look for athletes who were team captains at other levels, involved with student council, or voted class president. It is much easier to help athletes further develop their leadership skills than to start from scratch. Sit down with […]
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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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06
Sep
2010
Hitting Tips: Panicked-Hitting
If you engage in panicked hitting, you are too scared to start your swing. You panic because hitting is the weakest part of your game and you know it. You need to get a hit in order to play well. Visions of poor hitting days and strikeouts have you bewildered. Even if you gather yourself enough to take a cut at it, your muscles are too tense to make a smooth swing. You not only needs to gain confidence back in your hitting, but you also needs to lose the fear that paralyzes you at the plate. As for […]
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