By Sunday, parents talk about five games in one day, seven in two, and you suspect some embellishment taking place. But you’ve been around this particular block far too long not to know it’s mostly true. For us, mere amateurs with just two children participating in a fall sport, there were just three games in 20 hours – one flag football sandwiched by two basketball games. Some laugh at you as if you’ve taken the weekend off, setting their coffee in their respective cup holders without taking their eyes off the field. You try to remember when this all […]
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20
Sep
2013
Now and Then
Jamie had been battling hard in the Semi- finals of his County tennis Championship but to no avail he lost 7-5, 7-5. Jamie came off court dejected and visibly upset, his coach said all the right things starting with all of Jamie’s positives and then gently moved on to areas needing improvement. Before he finished he asked Jamie one question ‘what hand did your opponent play with?’ Jamie look confused by the question and after some thought answered ‘I don’t know’. It became apparent Jamie had played a two hour match and not even observed his opponent’s dominant hand. […]
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01
Aug
2013
Instilling a Championship Mindset
Coaches and captains must support team confidence to be a championship caliber team. This means instilling a strong belief in their team’s ability to be successful and obtain team goals. Coaches should start by meeting with the team in the off-season and/or preseason to discussing team goals. To get team captains involved have them write down each team goals discussed. Some of the goals can be to finish first in your conference, to play your playoff games at home, to finish the season as champions. Save the goals your captains recorded and use them a chart or bulletin board […]
Read moreYou might read the title of this article and think, yes that’s obvious! However it is easier said than done. In European under 21 football there is only an opportunity to win a trophy every two years. This summer the 2013 UEFA European under 21 Football Championship will kick off in Israel and only a few players competing will have ever won a trophy at International level. You could say that these few players are one step ahead of every one else as they have already got the winning mentality and know what it takes to win this competition. […]
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06
May
2013
Intramural 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 […]
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08
Jan
2013
The Rise of Kronum
A new sports craze has taken over South Eastern Pennsylvania and its popularity continues to grow in the United States and Europe. Kronum was invented in 2008 at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. It combines the physical and mental elements of various sports such as: soccer, basketball, rugby, football and handball. In only a few years the Kronum has reached the high school, college, and professional level with its slogan “Join the Revolution.” Kronum is played by two teams, each with 10 players on the field at all times. The game is fast-paced because possessions can change quickly, and players […]
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21
Dec
2012
Sport Psychology and Mental Training
Sports Psychology is about improving your attitude and mental toughness to help you perform your best by identifying limiting beliefs and embracing a healthier philosophy about your sport. Mental training is used by elite athletes to help improve focus, confidence and deal with distractions. Many athletes have the ability to concentrate, but often their focus is displaced on the wrong areas such as when a batter thinks “I need to get a hit” while in the batter’s box, which is a result-oriented focus. Much of my instruction on focus deals with helping athlete to stay focused on the present […]
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19
Dec
2012
Mental Training and Performance Enhancement
For some athletes, mental training is an untouched avenue to improve sports performance. Many athletes do not understand mental training and may be skeptical about its value.Even if you as a parent understand the importance of mental toughness in your young athletes, your kids might resist it. If kids do not “buy in” to mental training, they will not reap the benefits it provides. We teach sports parents and coaches how to encourage their kids to have a strong mental game. Many athletes don’t realize that resources are available to improve their mental game. When under performing or in […]
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27
Nov
2012
Enhancing Self Confidence
Confidence is a player’s belief in their ability to perform well in any situation, practice or game. Confidence is derived from a baseline assessment of past performances, training, and preparation. As competency or skill mastery grows, your confidence becomes proportionately stronger. In order for players to develop high levels of confidence, they must have a clear understanding of the factors that boost and undermine their confidence, such as high expectations. Confidence is a core mental game skill because of its importance and relationship to other mental skills. Harvey Dorfman (2005) describes confidence as a mindset based on tangible sources […]
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08
Nov
2012
Sports Psychology and Mental Training
Most athletes are highly committed to excellence and seeing how far they can go in sports. They love competition and testing themselves against the best in their sport. They understand the importance of a positive attitude and mental toughness. These athletes want every possible advantage they can get including the mental edge over the competition. Sports Psychology is about improving your attitude and mental toughness to help you perform your best by identifying limiting beliefs and embracing a healthier philosophy about your sport. Mental training is used by elite athletes to help improve focus, confidence and deal with distractions. […]
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