Why do athletes get in their own way? Under pressure, the challenge to play with freedom is even greater. Often times, athletes want so badly to perform well or win that they think if they try harder, be more serious, and focus on technique they will execute better. Ironically, it’s the exact … [Read more...]

Sports – at any level – is a game of confidence. When you have it, your skills shine. When confidence sinks, you don’t perform up to your capabilities. But confidence for many athletes is too fragile or fleeting in my opinion. Too many athletes allow their confidence to go up or down rapidly … [Read more...]

Do you have a mental preparation routine you use prior to each competition? The pregame warm up is much more than a physical warm up. You have to use this time to be mentally ready to compete. Most top athletes use pregame mental preparation routines to feel ready to perform their best and … [Read more...]

Rafael Nadal, the number two player in the world today, is known for his mental toughness on the men’s pro tennis tour. He’s won several tournaments on his aggressive style of play and mental toughness including the 2011 French Open. But last week, Djokovic defeated Nadal 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 in … [Read more...]

Does your training have a built in mental and emotional dynamicthat helps you learn mental toughness and perform your best when it counts? Are you or your team practicing for optimal transfer--mental and physical--to competition? Today’s coaches tend to focus their efforts on technical drills … [Read more...]

Not all stress is bad for your performance. Stress can affect your performance in two different ways. Stress can help you when it makes you more alert, more motivated to practice, and gain a competitive edge. In the right amount, stress helps you prepare, focus, and perform at your optimal level. … [Read more...]

Have you (or your players) ever tried to make big changes in technique before the start of a new season? Were the changes easy to make? Did your confidence or trust nosedive in the short term as you were making the changes? Making big changes in your technique or method can mess with your head, … [Read more...]

Many top quarterbacks are praised for their physical talent and abilities. In college and the pro level, most athletes possess a lot of physical skills and talent. But physical talent alone does not guarantee success in football or in any sport. A strong mental game combined with physical talent and … [Read more...]

Distractions in competition are just a fact in sports. The bigger the event, the more likely you or your athletes can become distracted. Distractions can come in many ways and forms--from subtle to not so subtle. You must learn how to cope with distractions during practice and competition to improve … [Read more...]

After working with athletes and performers on the mental game for over 20 years, I've come to the realization that great athletes have a sixth sense, sort of. The top athletes, at any level, can virtually "predict" the outcome of a play, shot, or at-bat. I know this sounds farfetched, but allow me … [Read more...]