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
Use Warm-ups to Focus Your Mind
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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29
Sep
2010
Sidney Crosby’s Secret to Success
Sidney Crosby is one of the most electric young athletes in sports. After being selected first overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, hockey fans expected Crosby to make an immediate impact on the league. Early in his career Cosby felt pressure to meet the expectations surrounding him. “Obviously, this is a new level, but the pressure has always been there,” said Crosby. I’m not trying to be the next Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux, I strive to do my best and perform to my potential — that’s all I can do.” To perform to his […]
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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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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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19
Sep
2010
Rafael Nadal Relies Confidence to Win
To compete at the top of your game you need to have confidence in your ability to succeed. Number 1 ranked tennis pro, Rafael Nadal understands the importance of confidence to win tournaments and succeed in tennis. “I rely on my confidence to help me win,” said Nadal, “You have to be confidence to play well on match days.” Having confidence offers you an advantage over your competitors because confident athletes play more relaxed, focused, and aggressive. Nadal knows that if he doesn’t confident on match day he is at a disadvantage. “I am not playing good this week because […]
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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 […]
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15
Sep
2010
Goal Setting and Emotional Control
Goal Setting and Emotional Control
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