Mental Game Coaching Professionals
Do your athletes assume that their focus is to blame for their mental errors or lack of performance?
We know that concentration (or mental focus) is critical for maximum performance. But many of my athletes think lack of focus is to blame for making mental mistakes and not ultimately playing to their potential. Allow me to explain…
Many athletes blame their poor play on focusing errors. They write me to help them improve their concentration in competition.
They’ll say things such as….
- “I make a stupid mistake and proceed to lose my focus.”
- “I can’t concentrate when I’m down or losing.”
- “I perform poorly at the start of competition because I’m not focusing.”
- “I’m not executing routine plays because I get distracted.”
However, what’s wrong with all these statements? Is poor focus really to blame? Most athletes (and coaches too) often assume that a lack of focus is the culprit for athletes’ lack of mental toughness!
But I have a different take on it. Yes, athletes do become distracted and make mental errors during competition, even the pros. However, distractions or concentration breakdowns usually start with other mental game setbacks.
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MGCP Spring 2010 Course Update
Early registration for the Spring 2010 MGCP
course (starting in Feb), ends January 15, 2010.
You can enroll after, but tuition increases.
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Based on my experience as a mental game coach to athletes, a poor focus often results from other mental game errors, such as frustration, a lack of intensity, fear, or lack of confidence, for example. Here’s the proof:
- Frustration can lead to a lack of focus when athletes are upset with making mistakes they think they should have executed. Thus, dwelling on something that just happened makes it impossible to focus on the current play, pitch, or shot.
- I’m sure you know that a lack intensity causes poor focus. To focus at peak levels (and perform at your peak) athletes must first have the proper amount of intensity or energy. A lack of challenge can lead to boredom. Being outmatched can lead to anxiety for some athletes. In either state, you can’t focus a peak levels–you are out of the flow channel.
- Tension, anxiety, or fear can cause athletes to focus on all the wrong stuff during competition. “What’s my coach/parent going to say if I lose this match?” A sign of low confidence, anxiety and fear causes athletes to future-think and make assumptions about outcomes, which again leads to a clouded focus.
- A lack of trust in technique can lead to making mistakes. Athletes just assume that you they didn’t focus enough for that easy shot. They tighten up just at the wrong time because they did not trust their ability to execute.
Too many times athletes assume a lack of focus is the culprit to mistakes or lack of mental toughness. In reality, a poor focus often results from other mental game boo-boos such as frustration, lack of confidence, and low trust in one’s game.
Want to learn my system for helping athletes reach their potential? Join the Spring MGCP program starting soon!
Early registration ends January 15, 2010 for the Spring course starting the week of February 14. Get 10% off tuition by registering now!
If you have not done so, please complete an application at the MGCP website:
Mental Game Coaching Professional Website
If you have already submitted your MGCP application, please email me to request the Spring 2010 enrollment forms.
Note: The first five people to lock in their seats will get preference.
Please call me at 888-742-7225 if you have any questions about the course.
Your Master Mental Game Coach,
Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D.,
Master Mental Game Coach
p.s. Here’s a quote from a recent MGCP grad about the course:
“The MGCP course has provided me with the structure and information to allow me to provide my athletes with a comprehensive and organized program to address their mental game challenges.”
~ Chris Farina
Related Sports Psychology Articles
- Focused Training and Mindset Equals Success
- How to Focus Better During Competition
- Focus on What You Can Control in Sports
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The Focused Athlete
It’s probably no secret that you have many opportunities to become distracted in sports. Athletes are bombarded with both internal and external distractions everyday in practice and competition. Focused athletes are able to get the most from their skills because they are more efficient with practice and more concentrated in competition. Athletes who lack focus let distractions run wild through their mind and don’t know how to adjust or refocus.
The Focused Athlete was developed for any level coach, parent, or junior to professional athlete who wants to improve performance and gain a competitive edge. It does not matter if you are a fledgling junior athlete; or a seasoned professional, plagued with distractions; or you just wanting to learn how to improve concentration…
“The Focused Athlete” is a complete system to teach you how to focus like a champion and harness the power of a zone focus every time you step on the playing field, court, track, or course in practice and games!