Mental preparation another component of mental training that helps athletes tap into the zone. Sport psychology professionals can help athletes mental prepare through mental rehearsal, imagery, and pre-game routines. For example, a baseball player, the night before a game, might mentally rehearse the pitcher’s stuff (what pitches to anticipate and the pitcher’s release of the pitches) and how he will be successful at the plate. Another intervention is developing efficient game-specific strategies and game plans to help athletes mentally prepare for competition. This is an area beyond developing basic mental skills training in which mental coaches help athletes apply […]
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15
May
2012
Tapping Into the Zone
09
May
2012
Sports Mental Training
In order for athletes to get the most out of their performance, it is critical for them to understand the value of develop a strong mental game to complement their physical abilities. Sport psychology professionals need to educate the sports community on the value of mental training by highlight the mental factors the limit and enhance athletic performance. These factors differ from player to player, but sport specific assessments can help professionals identify individual challenges. The overall aim of mental training is to help athletes enter the zone by developing foundational mental skills that can help athletes enter the […]
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03
May
2012
The Psychology of Gambling
This article is intended for readers age 21 and up. The game of poker is considered one of the best examples of a psychological game. Elite players in the game understand the impact of psychology on the game and on their opponents. The biggest element in gambling psychology that poker players use to their advantage is manipulating or taking advantage of their opponent’s fear. Today we will talk about how athletes can use their opponent’s fear to their own advantage. To understand the concept of fear as related to gambling, we have to look at what poker players are […]
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26
Apr
2012
Tips for Breaking Free of a Slump
1. Focus on your performance instead of results. Do not become obsessed with or pay so much attention to your wins or personal statistics. Instead, focus on your actual performance such as improving your pre-at-bat routine or enhancing your quarterback skills to read defensive formations. 2. Stop making comparisons to your competition. Don’t worry about athletes or teams that are passing you in order or rankings. Focus on small performance gains and areas you have to do to improve your game daily. 3. Stay committed to your dream in sports. When you are in a slump it is easier […]
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24
Apr
2012
How to Perform Your Best in Big Games
Playing in the big game can present several mental game challenges for athletes. The ability to cope with the pressure is key to allowing athletes to reach peak performance in key situations. Pressure can cause you to focus on results, tighten up and try too hard. When the season is on the line with a championship game, do you rise to the occasion, or fall under pressure? The best athletes and teams do raise the level of the performance in big games. They thrive on big games. Philadelphia Flyers stepped up in the 2012 playoffs to reach their first Stanley Cup finals […]
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21
Apr
2012
How to Prepare Mentally for a Big Game
All the hype and distractions leading up to a big game can be overwhelming for athletes, coaches, and even parents. In order for athletes to perform their best when the stakes are high they need to avoid: 1. Getting caught up external distractions 2. Conjuring up self-limiting internal distractions External distractions can become a challenge for some athletes. Worrying about the expectations of others, personal relationship, your opponent, school, and the media are all examples of external distractions. They distract athletes from focusing on the steps they need to take to achieve their mission. However, the most harmful distractions […]
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12
Apr
2012
Achieving Peak Performance
Sport psychology theories and mental training strategies to enhance focus, confidence, composure, mental preparation, and team cohesion have proven to increase performance in sports, business and life. Important elements of sport psychology aim to: 1. Improve focus and deal with distractions by helping athlete to stay focused on the present moment and let go of results. 2. Enhance confidence in athletes who have doubts. If players maintain doubts prior to or during their performance, this indicates low self-confidence. 3. Develop coping skills to deal with mistakes and errors. Players with high or strict expectations have trouble remaining confident and […]
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11
Feb
2012
Letting Go of Errors and Mistakes
Mistakes or errors occur every day in baseball, but many players don’t have the mental game that allows them to let go of errors and this hurts their chances for success. Errors such as missing a throw, botching a simple ground ball, striking out at the plate, or dropping a pop up occur all the time in baseball. Nobody is perfect, therefore errors are just another part of the game. However, these errors often become a huge mental barrier for athletes who cannot cope with mistakes, and as a result it affects their performance. In many cases, especially with […]
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02
Jul
2011
Sport Psychology Coaching
Mental training is about improving one’s attitude and mental skills to help them perform their best by identifying limiting beliefs and embracing a healthier philosophy about their sport. Many athletes and coaches resist mental training because they do not understand how it can help them. In order for athletes to get the most out of their sport, it is critical for them to understand the value of improving their mental game. Athletes are more likely to embrace mental training when they understand it and its benefits. Our mental training programs aim to help players and coaches discover the benefits […]
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30
Jun
2011
What is Mental Training?
The sports community now recognizes that mental factors such as confidence, composure, focus, and motivation are highly significant to athletic performance. As a result, over the year’s performance enhancement has become an emerging career track within the field sport psychology. Sport psychology (or sports psychology) is the study of the psychological factors that affect participation and performance in sports. Sport psychology professionals who focus on performance enhancement aim to increase athletic performance by minimizing the psychological effects of poor performance and instilling the mental skill needed to attain peak performance. In order for the field of sport psychology to […]
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