Something I say regularly to teams and clients is mental skills are just like physical skills. You have to practice and rehearse them regularly for them to be there, especially if you are wanting to get to the next level. Here are 3 mental game habits that can have a big impact on helping you […]
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Next month, August 15th, is National Relaxation Day. A special day recognized in the United States as a day to think about stress, and focus on relaxing and finding calm in the daily stress of life. When it comes to sports and academics, more and more pressure is being loaded onto athletes. Especially for youth […]
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If you have been a competitor for a while, then you have probably heard the phrase ‘Practice makes perfect’. There is actually a greater truth: Practice Makes Permanent! A great quote from a well-known football coach, Vince Lombardi, is “Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.” However you view it, the things […]
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Mental blocks, tumbling blocks, balking….these are words that parents hate to even think about, let alone have to deal with. Unfortunately, developing a sudden fear of a skill is a common experience in gymnastics and cheerleading – and other sports as well. Jumping, releasing, tossing, flipping, going backwards on a beam, dismounts…there are a number […]
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This is a question I like to ask athletes. “How much of your performance is mental game?” I’ll get answers like 50%….75%….most of it…..probably all of it….and everything in between. There is really no way to give a specific, science-based number to it. Part of it is because answers change from person to person, and also […]
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“Be confident!” How many times has that that word been used during sports? From coaches, parents, team members. Confidence is talked about like it is a cure-all for any nerves or uncertainty an athlete is dealing with. I remember growing up and facing many situations where I was nervous, scared, and totally unsure of myself. “You have […]
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Why is resilience in sports important? Because everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has moments where they choke. Last week my son bought a ball. It was one of the bouncy balls that you see in a quarter machine at various stores. It had a mix of colors, and was a little smaller than a baseball. As […]
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If this is your first time visiting this site, or hearing about me, this is a common question….this sounds great, but what is mental toughness really? Put simply, it is performing consistently to the best of your abilities – with focus, confidence, determination, and resilience; even when under pressure. Mental Toughness Is Always Important We see athletes […]
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Fear. If there is one primary enemy to being mentally tough, it is fear. Fear in sports is hands down the biggest cause of mental interference. I’ve seen it in athletes of all ages, experience levels, and sports. Having an understanding of what is happening can often help. The crazy thing is this: Fear is […]
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Negative thinking can cripple your ability in sports. I operate on a very simple, but powerful, principle: Performance = Potential – Interference That is, your peak performance can be reached, when there is no interference that is hindering your true potential. That is true for athletics, performances, competitions, business; really overall life in general. One major […]
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Katy was a gymnast who had spent countless hours, for many years, honing her craft. She was very talented and it showed at every practice. However, she was suddenly getting more and more nervous before actual meets. Her balance beam routine was the most nerve-racking, filling her head with all sorts of thoughts. Because of this, […]
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