Yelling vs Coaching
Teach your young athletes to know the difference between yelling to hurt and yelling to help and keep your own emotions in check. Use yelling as a tool and use it sparingly so when you need to get their attention on something important, it doesn’t sound like everything else you yelled to them.
The Power of Belief
Belief creates power. Belief has a way of creating the momentum you need to achieve fantastic feats. Abraham Maslow (1908-1970), an American Psychologist who many sport psychology students credit as a huge influence in their studies once said,
"The story of the human race is the story of men and women selling themselves short.”
How to Intentionally Create Leaders
“You’re fired!” The Major walked away from the most recent team leader and began looking for the next person to be put in charge. That was the third leader fired for not doing the task appropriately or efficiently enough. “Simmons!” Simmons made his way to the front of the pack.
Talent Gets You Noticed, Character Gets You Recruited
The recruiter is not there to see you tackle, throw, bump, spike, pitch, catch, hit, shoot, or pass for the thousandth time. He already knows your stats. He has already watched your highlight film and read all the press clippings. He has likely seen you play. What he is looking for are called intangibles, the things that cannot be easily measured, but make all the difference.
Learning Leadership at a Young Age
I learned how to be a leader by being put in a situation at an early age that required decision making and problem solving.
What if Your Teammates Don't Like You?
I received an email about an athlete who believes a few teammates and his coach do not like him. I thought you might be interested in how I responded to him.
How to Increase Concentration
Have you ever left the house without your mobile phone and had a mini panic attack? Me too. I could leave my lunch at home and go without, but if the iPhone is on the counter and not in my bag I am turning around.
The Power of Belief
Belief creates power. Belief has a way of creating the momentum you need to achieve fantastic feats. Abraham Maslow (1908-1970), an American Psychologist who many sport psychology students credit as a huge influence in their studies once said,
How to Create Confidence on Game Day
Faith and fear have one thing in common: they both believe in a future that has not yet happened.
With faith, we have confidence in our ability and/or our preparation. Having faith in our future gives us energy and creates excitement for what is coming.
With fear, there is an absence of confidence, which is the result of a lack of preparation, or a belief that our preparation was not enough.
3 Tips For Creating Sports Confidence
Confidence is not arrogance. Arrogance is an exaggerated belief in one’s ability to perform. Don’t be arrogant. In the movies, the arrogant guy always has a short career because his mouth and lack of preparation writes a check his body can’t cash. Like the fourth firecracker in a 4th of July finale, he was loud and bright for a moment but… what was his name again?
Mental Toughness, defined
What does it mean to be mentally tough? A mentally tough athlete is able to access their talent at the highest level they are capable on a consistent basis regardless of the situation
Sportsmanship is not dead
A few years ago, a senior softball player from Western Oregon named Sara Tucholsy hit her first ever homerun of her career. It was in a playoff game of her final season as a collegiate athlete. In her excitement she missed tagging first base. As she turned around to return to the bag she tore her ACL and fell to the ground. If you have or know a softball player, watch this then send her this clip.
How to Create a Mistake Recovery Routine
Here are two examples on the importance of getting your head in the game from Sunday's game. The first is the Cal Poly pitcher who started the game for the Mustangs fresh off rehabbing from surgery. As I watched him pitch I knew right away he was not ready to be on the mound. It had nothing to do with his form; in fact, he looked very strong as he sauntered up to the mound. He had heat on the ball, so it wasn't his pitching speed.
If you think you are beaten…
This is a poem about "mindset" I put to memory long ago. It has served me well. Enjoy!
What is your “building” made of?
Imagine building a building with shoddy material. Upon completion you ask, “Will this building last 80-100 years?” and then the builder says, “No, but the wood sure smelled good while we were building.”
What is your “building” made of? Is it time for a remodel?