Yelling vs Coaching
parenting, athletes James Leath parenting, athletes James Leath

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.

Read More
The Power of Belief
athletes James Leath athletes James Leath

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.”

Read More
How to Intentionally Create Leaders
athletes James Leath athletes James Leath

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.

Read More
Talent Gets You Noticed, Character Gets You Recruited
athletes James Leath athletes James Leath

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.

Read More
How to Increase Concentration
athletes James Leath athletes James Leath

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.

Read More
The Power of Belief
athletes James Leath athletes James Leath

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,

Read More
How to Create Confidence on Game Day
athletes James Leath athletes James Leath

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.

Read More
3 Tips For Creating Sports Confidence
athletes James Leath athletes James Leath

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?

Read More
Mental Toughness, defined
athletes James Leath athletes James Leath

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

Read More
Sportsmanship is not dead
athletes James Leath athletes James Leath

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.

Read More
How to Create a Mistake Recovery Routine
athletes James Leath athletes James Leath

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.

Read More
What is your “building” made of?
athletes James Leath athletes James Leath

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?

Read More