Human performance fascinates us all. What was Roger Bannister thinking when he trained to break the 4 minute mile? Certainly, he was focused on the possibilities. Truly, the magic is found in what an athlete is thinking. Thoughts drive performance.
Coaches want their athletes to play their best in the biggest moments in sports. Players want to come through for their teammates when it matters most. Why do top performers seem to play their best on the biggest stage? One answer can be found in what athletes believe.
Confidence, a core tenet of mental toughness, has long been heralded as essential for an athlete’s optimal performance. Research confirms what many coaches already know, confident athletes dream bigger, work harder, think more effectively, and cope better with the stresses of competition.
Athletes crave peak performance. Once they’ve tasted playing at their best, they search for ways to recreate those performances time and again. However, few reflect on the underlying factors that drive them to be their very best. Coaches can help facilitate the self awareness necessary to increase an athlete’s ability to perform closer to his or her peak more consistently.
For 800 years have I trained Jedi,” Yoda explained to an impatient Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. In honor of this week’s release of Stars Wars: The Force Awakens, I thought it best that we all sharpen our mental edges through the wisdom of Grand Master Yoda. Much can we learn to toughen our minds if listen we will to Yoda’s instruction.
Nervousness can sabotage an athlete’s performance, but it doesn’t have to. The difference is in how an athlete interprets nerves. Do they view the symptoms of nervousness as helpful or harmful? As a coach, you can empower athletes to embrace their nerves and use them to their advantage.
What is your favorite sport blooper? Chances are good that you enjoyed a laugh at the expense of an athlete who wasn’t focused on the right thing at the right time. Bloopers can happen when athletes focus on what is beyond their control (e.g., referees, weather), which quickly builds frustration, stress, and distraction.
The axiom,“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” originated with Aristotle. In today’s culture this is perhaps more evident than ever. Leadership, human resources, and coach education programs emphasize the value of teamwork. Those who actively foster a team environment in their organizations are the ones who rise to the pinnacle of their chosen fields. Countless examples serve as evidence. Whether you are an athletic coach, business manager, or founder of a small start up, building an excellent team will sky rocket your success.
Athletes must have a short memory is an adage you’ve probably heard before. A player may drop a touchdown pass or kick in the tying goal. However, what’s about to happen next is what’s most important. Athletes need to quickly get ready for the next play or get back on defense. How can you help athletes reset during the tiny breaks in action so that they can stay focused?
It is the time of year for season openers. Some have already begun. For a lot of athletes, the first game of the season is accompanied by excitement and anxiety. While a little excitement will keep them on their toes, too much anxiety can be a disaster. Below, I’ll share two tools with which you can equip your team to be at their best on opening day.
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