Mental Training, Sport Coaches, and Parents

2016-01-14T12:27:19+08:00

There have been numerous studies conducted to find out what do highly successful athletes have in common.  Besides the obvious - talent and hard work - a number of surprising conclusions have come to light.  At the top of the list are how much the athlete had support at home and the high quality of the coaching. I work with young athletes every day in my office and I always start out by telling the parent how impressed I am by their recognizing the value of mental training by bringing their young athlete to a performance coach like me. Winning championships, [...]

Mental Training, Sport Coaches, and Parents2016-01-14T12:27:19+08:00

The Benefits Of Sports Participation

2020-09-29T03:05:17+08:00

As a sports parent or youth sports coach, you know that sometimes it can feel like it’s the most thankless job on the planet. There’s a million things you could be doing for all the time you spend with young athletes and sometimes, the lack of appreciation can get you down. So, I’m writing this post to give you boost! To help you feel great about what you are doing for kids, your own and others on the teams, and to encourage you to keep doing it! Just the fact that you are here on my site and following tells [...]

The Benefits Of Sports Participation2020-09-29T03:05:17+08:00

The Art of Coaching Different Genders in Sports

2020-09-29T03:37:00+08:00

Do female youth athletes and male youth athletes need different kinds of mental strength training? Do they respond better to different coaching tactics? The answer is yes. We need to understand that males and females have differing genetic tendencies passed down from our ancestors as part of our history of successfully dominating the earth. Females place a much higher value on community and getting along with others on their team or anywhere in their sport. Males tend to be more linear and object-oriented. It should be quite obvious to any coach that females also tend to be more emotional as [...]

The Art of Coaching Different Genders in Sports2020-09-29T03:37:00+08:00

What Is A Growth Mindset For Athletes?

2016-01-14T12:35:57+08:00

It never ceases to amaze me how small of a percentage of the general sports world there is that really takes advantage of developing their mental skills. I’ve conducted numerous workshops for youth sports teams and coaches over the years teaching mental toughness skills.In my workshops, there are always some athletes that hang on my every word. They ask questions, they participate,  they take notes, and I can see that they are paying attention to everything we do in the workshop.   And then there’s those other athletes that are less engaged than when watching a television commercial at home on their [...]

What Is A Growth Mindset For Athletes?2016-01-14T12:35:57+08:00

8 Great Things About Getting A Bad Youth Sports Coach

2021-02-18T07:43:50+08:00

What To Do When You're Stuck With A Bad Youth Sports Coach "Craig, Any tips to help an athlete "get through" a season when they are stuck with a bad coach (overly critical, aggressive, demeaning, etc) so they don't lose their confidence?" Yes. I often see athletes in this predicament. The secret is in appreciating the fact that the difficult coach pushes you into seeking some help in building mental toughness and having the opportunity to practice it in real life. I have run into many athletes who go through many years of “good” coaches [...]

8 Great Things About Getting A Bad Youth Sports Coach2021-02-18T07:43:50+08:00

When To Teach Children Mental Skills

2020-09-30T02:41:42+08:00

At what age/competition level should a youth athlete focus on building up their mental strength? Any age! I work athletes as young as 8 years old in person and we have them even younger going through the Mental Toughness Academy along with their parents. The key is to make the learning “age appropriate.” I don’t teach the same way to an 8-year-old as I do to a college athlete but the lessons are generally centered around the same concepts: Focus, Confidence, Determination & Resilience, especially under pressure. That’s my definition of Mental Toughness. Younger athletes learn faster and the messages [...]

When To Teach Children Mental Skills2020-09-30T02:41:42+08:00

Sports Injury Mental Impact On Young Athletes And How To Help

2020-09-30T02:40:59+08:00

In this article Craig will show the sports injury mental impact on young athlete and how to help. Question: What kind of trouble can a serious injury have on a youth athlete's confidence? Wow, this is a very loaded question as I just finished creating an extensive video training to deal with conquering sports injuries. The thing that parents and coaches need to understand about youth athletes getting injured is that this isn’t just an injury. This is destruction to a young athlete’s identity as a person at a time when that is a primary objective of all kids. The [...]

Sports Injury Mental Impact On Young Athletes And How To Help2020-09-30T02:40:59+08:00

The Secret To Coming Back From Defeat

2020-09-30T02:38:27+08:00

Why do you think some athletes can suffer defeat after defeat and never let it slow them down, while other players lose all confidence over one mistake? Here is the article of The Secret To Coming Back From Defeat. The true answer is that there are many variables BUT, the most common reason for this difference can be summed up in one word: FEAR. Particularly, fear of failure in all its forms. I often teach that the difference between elite athletes and lesser athletes is that elite athletes want to win and they might even hate losing…but they aren’t afraid of [...]

The Secret To Coming Back From Defeat2020-09-30T02:38:27+08:00

How To Develop Strong Determination

2021-02-12T04:45:29+08:00

The word “determination” has multiple meanings depending on the context of it’s usage but, for the purposes of sports, the dictionary says: “The quality of being determined to do or achieve something” In simpler terms, it means how much of yourself you will put into making a goal a reality. You must have read lots of stuff dealing with "how to increase self determination," but while they have a lot of good things to say; somehow you still can't relate to them. It’s always inspiring to observe a young athlete who is very determined. This athlete can take [...]

How To Develop Strong Determination2021-02-12T04:45:29+08:00

How To Use The Power Of Visualization In Sports

2020-09-30T02:51:36+08:00

Visualization is one of the most powerful techniques an athlete can use on a regular basis. Discover techniques from Gold Medalist Peter Vidmar How To Use The Power of Visualization In Sports by watching the video below. Every morning I would always do a little workout. A little run, a little jog, I'll talk more in detail about that later. At the end of that, I would mentally review my routines. I would close my eyes and here is another thing about mental preparation. You can visualize yourself performing a skill in two different ways. One is to [...]

How To Use The Power Of Visualization In Sports2020-09-30T02:51:36+08:00
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