As spring sports get underway, parents and coaches can help athletes improve their sports performance by learning one simple – yet vitally important skill related to athletic success (Mind of Steel). What I am referring to is the ability for athletes to refine their focus and concentration by thinking about relevant cues, while at the same time ignoring irrelevant cues.When athletes focus solely on what is important (the next play), while ignoring unimportant factors (the fans), only then can they truly reach their full athletic potential.
Unfortunately, while it may seem easy to simply think only about things important to the game, personal insecurities and fear always seem to get in the way. For example, when an athlete makes a mistake, he knows that he should quickly forget about it, but heckles from the crowd can quickly divert attention. The result is usually another bad play due to poor focus (not athletic abilities).
Before games, athletes know they should prepare by going over plays and drills relevant to the game. Unfortunately, many athletes struggle with their thoughts drifting toward their current slump, the opposing team, or worries about whether the coach will put them into the game.Parents and coaches can help athletes by completing the following exercise with athletes:
1.) List all of the relevant things you need to do in order to be successful.
2.) List all of the things that are irrelevant to your athletic success.
For question #1, helpful answers might include being well-rested, hydrated, stretched, and confident executing athletic skills. For question #2, irrelevant factors might include the weather, how many fans are in attendance, and yesterday’s game.Similar to muscle development, mental toughness can be improved by practicing specific skills — the sport psychology exercise above can help toward improving focus and concentration, similar to how bench pressing can improve chest, triceps, and back muscle development.
You can learn more about focus and concentration skills training by picking up a copy of the newly released Winning the Mental Moments DVD available at Championship Productions!
www.drstankovich.com
