As the coach you are not alone in supporting your team’s confidence. It is beneficial for coaches to identify members of the team that can help boost team confidence and promote success. Once you identify players with leadership capabilities have the team select or have your team elect a captain and co-captain. Team captains act as a liaison between players and coaches, so they will help you support team confidence. Other players look up to team leaders for guidance, reassurance, and encouragement as they do the coach. In sports team leaders are a valuable team asset you should use […]
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Centering Techniques for Sports
In Chapter 8 of Psyched to Win Dr. Nideffer refers to “Centering” as a technique, borrowed from the martial arts, whose purpose is to instill feelings of emotional control. These simple breathing and cueing exercises are used to calm and relax both the mind and body. Center of Mass Your Center of Mass is located one or two inches below and behind your navel. If one can consciously bring one’s attention to this point, one feels grounded or centered. In Dr. Nideffer’s article for class, he describes the importance of keeping a balanced, stable lower center of mass. This […]
Read moreIntramural Sports: The Benefits of Imagery
What thoughts come to mind when I mention college intramural sports? I am sure that most of you would say that intramural sports are for the scrubs or the wannabes. Others may also argue that intramural sports lack the competitive nature and consistent training that most college and professional sports have. However, I can contend for the opposite to be true. During my college intramural sports career thus far, I have watched and competed against several intramural athletes that are not the typical wannabes or scrubs that most would think. The truth of the matter is that intramural sports […]
Read moreHitters Need a Plan at the Plate
Becoming a successful hitter requires more than a quick bat and good hand eye coordination. It requires a specific approach to hitting and confidence in your ability to put the ball in play. The key to success at the plate is mental toughness and mental preparation. Great hitters do not have the same batting stance, physical talent or mechanics. What they do have in common is a plan at the plate and a strong belief in their ability to carry out that plan. One thing many hitters lack is an at-bat routine. Great hitters use at-bat routines to help […]
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