Well coached Vikings
Dead in the water weeks ago at 3-6, the Vikings have ridden a 5-game winning streak to 8-6 and have their sights on the NFC Playoffs. Of all sports, coaching is arguably the most important in football; what about the Vikings coaches makes them stand out?
No need to go further down the line than head coach Brad Childress. He understands the importance of positive self-talk on athletes, and how beneficial positive thinking can be. In terms of leadership, the coach understands that he's "dealing with 53 completely different personalities that you're trying to shape all into one." And the degree Childress graduated with from Eastern Ilinois? Psychology.
Read the whole AP story on ESPN here.
Friday, December 21, 2007
What is pseudo-maximum performance?
Pseudo-maximum performance, put briefly, is the idea that there is no maximum performance; we are always capable of performing better. It may be that mental toughness is the key to driving ourselves even farther. Some research suggests that a technique called 'dissociation' can be the tool for athletes to push themselves even farther.
The technique, as tested in runners, involved three components:
Saying "down" to themselves at each step
Focusing attention on an object in the distance
Breathing in sync with footfalls
Runners dissociating while running showed significant increases in endurance over a control group of runners, who ran in their normal way. There's also the story, as reported by anthropologists, about Tibetan monks who ran 300 miles in 30 hours. They focused on distant landmarks, like mountains, and repeated a mantra to themselves with each step - a remarkable similiarity to principles of dissociation. Of course, the tale is probably untrue, but the similarities cannot be denied.
The question remains - how far can we push ourselves? What is the true limit? According to University of Texas professor Dr. Benjamin Levine, we don't know: “How does the brain interact with the skeletal muscles and the circulation? How much of this is voluntary and how much is involuntary? We just don’t know.”
While dissociation research has primarily been done with runners and cyclers, the same principles of focus and self-regulation could work with other sports.
Check out the whole New York Times article here.
Pseudo-maximum performance, put briefly, is the idea that there is no maximum performance; we are always capable of performing better. It may be that mental toughness is the key to driving ourselves even farther. Some research suggests that a technique called 'dissociation' can be the tool for athletes to push themselves even farther.
The technique, as tested in runners, involved three components:
Saying "down" to themselves at each step
Focusing attention on an object in the distance
Breathing in sync with footfalls
Runners dissociating while running showed significant increases in endurance over a control group of runners, who ran in their normal way. There's also the story, as reported by anthropologists, about Tibetan monks who ran 300 miles in 30 hours. They focused on distant landmarks, like mountains, and repeated a mantra to themselves with each step - a remarkable similiarity to principles of dissociation. Of course, the tale is probably untrue, but the similarities cannot be denied.
The question remains - how far can we push ourselves? What is the true limit? According to University of Texas professor Dr. Benjamin Levine, we don't know: “How does the brain interact with the skeletal muscles and the circulation? How much of this is voluntary and how much is involuntary? We just don’t know.”
While dissociation research has primarily been done with runners and cyclers, the same principles of focus and self-regulation could work with other sports.
Check out the whole New York Times article here.
Positive Thinking
With parity in the NHL at an all-time high, teams are beginning to take that extra step to gain an advantage on the competition. Take a look at the Florida Panthers, who are beginning to see the performance edge gained from working with a sport psychologist. Said team captain Olli Jokinen, "You've got to be positive. If you have a negative mind-set, you're usually going to fail. You're going to be too nervous to try anything. A positive mind-set helps a lot."
It seems just about every professional sport these days is beginning to appreciate the importance of a well-honed mental game.
Check out the whole article from the Palm Beach Post here.
With parity in the NHL at an all-time high, teams are beginning to take that extra step to gain an advantage on the competition. Take a look at the Florida Panthers, who are beginning to see the performance edge gained from working with a sport psychologist. Said team captain Olli Jokinen, "You've got to be positive. If you have a negative mind-set, you're usually going to fail. You're going to be too nervous to try anything. A positive mind-set helps a lot."
It seems just about every professional sport these days is beginning to appreciate the importance of a well-honed mental game.
Check out the whole article from the Palm Beach Post here.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Improving Concentration
In the heat of competition, concentration and focus can easily waver - missed free throws can result in nervous, anxious thoughts about upcoming shots, or a non-called foul can lead to thoughts of retaliation instead of staying in the flow of the game. Anytime our focus is off of the game and our actions, performance can suffer.
One effective strategy to cope with concentration lapses is cue words. A cue word is a simple phrase athletes use to mentally refocus themselves. For example, "Explode now!" or "follow-through". Cue words are commonly used both to refocus after a negative event and to get the mind back on track after a distraction.
Similarly, athletes commonly experience anxiety prior to a major competition. Research from Self Help Magazine has identified the traits present in mental training regimens which can be used to relieve pre-competition stress, and they are as follows:
For strategies on refocusing in competition and avoiding damaging anger and negative thoughts, click here.
For strategies avoiding pre-competition anxiety, click here.
In the heat of competition, concentration and focus can easily waver - missed free throws can result in nervous, anxious thoughts about upcoming shots, or a non-called foul can lead to thoughts of retaliation instead of staying in the flow of the game. Anytime our focus is off of the game and our actions, performance can suffer.
One effective strategy to cope with concentration lapses is cue words. A cue word is a simple phrase athletes use to mentally refocus themselves. For example, "Explode now!" or "follow-through". Cue words are commonly used both to refocus after a negative event and to get the mind back on track after a distraction.
Similarly, athletes commonly experience anxiety prior to a major competition. Research from Self Help Magazine has identified the traits present in mental training regimens which can be used to relieve pre-competition stress, and they are as follows:
- Using a pre-competition routine (ex: the use of imagery prior to competition to create a positive vision of the competition and to see oneself attain pre-set goals).
- Using a competition plan (ex: the use of visualization to see oneself accomplish goals before the actual event takes place).
- Controlling distractions (ex: the use of relaxation techniques such as listening to music to avoid possible diversions caused by any number of people or uncontrollable circumstances).
- Feedback/evaluation (ex: the use of video review to critique past performance and understand how to prepare for and perform during the next competition).
For strategies on refocusing in competition and avoiding damaging anger and negative thoughts, click here.
For strategies avoiding pre-competition anxiety, click here.
Psychology of a Rookie
Sports page headlines have been alive in recent years with the thrilling exploits of NBA Draft successes. LeBron, Carmelo, and Dwyane are but a few of stellar new, young players. As NBA season draws nearer, the fans throughout the Northwest wait with bated breath to see how Greg Oden and Kevin Durant start their careers.
But what is it that separates a draft success from a draft bust? What do James, Anthony, and Wade have that Sam Bowie, Kwame Brown, and Chris Washburn (Chris Who? First round, third pick, 1986) don't?
The answer is complex, as life in the NBA as a young and rising star offers a broad range of challenges for incoming rooks. Most young players don't have the tools necessary to survive and thrive in the NBA. As reported by Self Help Magazine online, 50 percent of rookies are cut by their second season. For every Tim Duncan (Round one, pick one, 1997) there are countless Michael Olowakandi's (Round one, pick one, 1998).
Undoubtedly, one of the hardest factors for young players to adjust to is the length of the NBA season. At 82 games, not counting preseason or playoffs, the professional season presents unprecedented mental and physical challenges to rookies. Furthermore, it can simply be too much for players to live up to the expectations put on them by the pressure of being in the limelight. Throw in multi-million dollar contracts and endorsement deals, and it can be a recipe for disaster.
What are some strategies for players to defeat these challenges? Players must maintain a strong sense of self and self-worth, and not view themselves as an athlete alone. A strong and available circle of close friends and family to help cope is essential, as are good relaxation and calming techniques to avoid frustration.
How will the season turn out for new rooks in the Northwest? The season starts in October.
To see more rookie content from Self Help Magazine, click here.
Check out Sports Illustrated's list of the biggest draft busts of all time here - and yes, Portland, Sam Bowie is number one.
Sports page headlines have been alive in recent years with the thrilling exploits of NBA Draft successes. LeBron, Carmelo, and Dwyane are but a few of stellar new, young players. As NBA season draws nearer, the fans throughout the Northwest wait with bated breath to see how Greg Oden and Kevin Durant start their careers.
But what is it that separates a draft success from a draft bust? What do James, Anthony, and Wade have that Sam Bowie, Kwame Brown, and Chris Washburn (Chris Who? First round, third pick, 1986) don't?
The answer is complex, as life in the NBA as a young and rising star offers a broad range of challenges for incoming rooks. Most young players don't have the tools necessary to survive and thrive in the NBA. As reported by Self Help Magazine online, 50 percent of rookies are cut by their second season. For every Tim Duncan (Round one, pick one, 1997) there are countless Michael Olowakandi's (Round one, pick one, 1998).
Undoubtedly, one of the hardest factors for young players to adjust to is the length of the NBA season. At 82 games, not counting preseason or playoffs, the professional season presents unprecedented mental and physical challenges to rookies. Furthermore, it can simply be too much for players to live up to the expectations put on them by the pressure of being in the limelight. Throw in multi-million dollar contracts and endorsement deals, and it can be a recipe for disaster.
What are some strategies for players to defeat these challenges? Players must maintain a strong sense of self and self-worth, and not view themselves as an athlete alone. A strong and available circle of close friends and family to help cope is essential, as are good relaxation and calming techniques to avoid frustration.
How will the season turn out for new rooks in the Northwest? The season starts in October.
To see more rookie content from Self Help Magazine, click here.
Check out Sports Illustrated's list of the biggest draft busts of all time here - and yes, Portland, Sam Bowie is number one.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
A Closers Mindset
Among championship caliber athletes, one of the most admired skills is the ability to close out at the end - the ability to put an end to the competition, to finish up and win. Jordan had it, Elway had it. In today's sports world, nobody is looked up to more as a dominant finisher than Tiger Woods. NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett on the subject: "The mental aspect is what separates golf from the rest of the sports world, and that's why there's no doubt Tiger is the most admired person among other athletes...At that level, physical ability is a given, but the thing they respect most is the ability to get there mentally when it matters most. That's what puts someone above the rest." It seems like putting away a victory in the end would be easy, but it takes a finely tuned mental game to do it. The pressure of playing from ahead or from being in a position to win, to control one's own destiny, can be crippling. Ever present in the athletes mind is the question, What if I fail? It is the ability to put oneself above the fear that separates champions like Tiger from the rest. In a sport where competitors have nothing to blame besides themselves for failure, golfers are especially vulnerable to such thoughts.
Mental toughness in clutch situations is not specific to the event; rather, it stems from the strength of the athlete's sense of self. Valuing oneself as someone only as good as the next golf shot is almost guarantees failure. Sport psychologist Dr. Gio Valiante explains: "If you're basing your confidence on what other people are going to think of you, or how you're going to appear--it's a recipe for choking. Attaching your status and your self-worth to a shot in golf creates the type of fear that paralyzes. So we go into ego-avoid mode, which is the mental equivalent of prevent defense. Rather than hitting shots at a target, you're hitting shots to avoid embarrassment." Valiante's comments reinforce the importance of process vs. goal orientation: The best mental outlook is to focus on the process by which success is obtained, not on the success itself.
So how good is Tiger at closing out victories, at performing his best when it matters the most? When entering the final round of a tournament in which he has led, Woods is an astounding 40 of 43, a winning percentage of .930. Clearly, Tiger has found the mental edge for choke-free performance.
See the rest of ESPN's report on choking here.
Among championship caliber athletes, one of the most admired skills is the ability to close out at the end - the ability to put an end to the competition, to finish up and win. Jordan had it, Elway had it. In today's sports world, nobody is looked up to more as a dominant finisher than Tiger Woods. NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett on the subject: "The mental aspect is what separates golf from the rest of the sports world, and that's why there's no doubt Tiger is the most admired person among other athletes...At that level, physical ability is a given, but the thing they respect most is the ability to get there mentally when it matters most. That's what puts someone above the rest." It seems like putting away a victory in the end would be easy, but it takes a finely tuned mental game to do it. The pressure of playing from ahead or from being in a position to win, to control one's own destiny, can be crippling. Ever present in the athletes mind is the question, What if I fail? It is the ability to put oneself above the fear that separates champions like Tiger from the rest. In a sport where competitors have nothing to blame besides themselves for failure, golfers are especially vulnerable to such thoughts.
Mental toughness in clutch situations is not specific to the event; rather, it stems from the strength of the athlete's sense of self. Valuing oneself as someone only as good as the next golf shot is almost guarantees failure. Sport psychologist Dr. Gio Valiante explains: "If you're basing your confidence on what other people are going to think of you, or how you're going to appear--it's a recipe for choking. Attaching your status and your self-worth to a shot in golf creates the type of fear that paralyzes. So we go into ego-avoid mode, which is the mental equivalent of prevent defense. Rather than hitting shots at a target, you're hitting shots to avoid embarrassment." Valiante's comments reinforce the importance of process vs. goal orientation: The best mental outlook is to focus on the process by which success is obtained, not on the success itself.
So how good is Tiger at closing out victories, at performing his best when it matters the most? When entering the final round of a tournament in which he has led, Woods is an astounding 40 of 43, a winning percentage of .930. Clearly, Tiger has found the mental edge for choke-free performance.
See the rest of ESPN's report on choking here.
The Fusion of physical skills with superior mental game
Suzann Pettersen, second on the LPGA money list, provides the perfect example of the advantages gained when ideal physical skills are paired with an improved mental game. The 26-year old Norwegian had previously been vulnerable to mental collapses, with only one bad shot possibly ruining a round. Pettersen found herself constantly dwelling on her mistakes instead of visualizing a positive result of the next shot. While many viewed her defeat in April's Nabisco Championship a collapse, Pettersen displayed her advanced mental game by viewing the defeat as a positive: "Teeing off on the last day on the leader board, that's where you want to be in every major in every tournament. That's how you build experience, and that's how you build your game.'' After viewing tape of her performance, she saw her own mistakes and was able to make improvements, primarily in her pre-shot routine. Pre-shot routines are essential for golf success, and usually involve a set of actions repeated before every shot intended to focus the player on the current shot, calm the nerves, and visualize success. Pettersen's revamped mental game was a huge success: She captured her first major tournament victory in June at the LPGA Championship.
Check out the whole New York Times report here.
Suzann Pettersen, second on the LPGA money list, provides the perfect example of the advantages gained when ideal physical skills are paired with an improved mental game. The 26-year old Norwegian had previously been vulnerable to mental collapses, with only one bad shot possibly ruining a round. Pettersen found herself constantly dwelling on her mistakes instead of visualizing a positive result of the next shot. While many viewed her defeat in April's Nabisco Championship a collapse, Pettersen displayed her advanced mental game by viewing the defeat as a positive: "Teeing off on the last day on the leader board, that's where you want to be in every major in every tournament. That's how you build experience, and that's how you build your game.'' After viewing tape of her performance, she saw her own mistakes and was able to make improvements, primarily in her pre-shot routine. Pre-shot routines are essential for golf success, and usually involve a set of actions repeated before every shot intended to focus the player on the current shot, calm the nerves, and visualize success. Pettersen's revamped mental game was a huge success: She captured her first major tournament victory in June at the LPGA Championship.
Check out the whole New York Times report here.
Psyching ourselves out: Golf's unique mental game
It may be thought that the slower pace and lack of traditional 'defense' may make golf easier mentally than other sports. In fact, the opposite is true. The delay between shots can serve to build mental pressure and nervousness, according to Florida sport psychologist Dr. John F. Murray. Golfers on the course have no form of outlet for accumulated mental stress, and there aren't any teammates who can provide support. Dr. Murray elaborates: “ So much of their time is getting ready for a shot, and there are more mental factors that can distract you or also help you and be a positive. There is more potential for being stressed, but also for being prepared.” In a traditional "reactionary" sport, such as basketball or tennis, the speed of competition and importance of reacting without thinking can serve to minimize time an athlete spends overthinking their play. However, in golf, competitors have "nowhere to go but think about what might happen." With so much time spent walking up to the ball, all a golfer has to think about is the next shot. Furthermore, while fear of failure is an issue in all sports, it is magnified in golf. A golfer can only blame him or herself for failure, since no one is defending them. Throw in the added stressors of spectators, pressure situations, and course conditions, and the importance of a strong mental game in golf instantly becomes clear. Some important skills necessary to counteract the mental pressures of golf include positive self-talk, visualizations, and self-relaxation or clearing exercises.
Read the rest of the New York Times article, including more notes from Dr. Murray, here.
It may be thought that the slower pace and lack of traditional 'defense' may make golf easier mentally than other sports. In fact, the opposite is true. The delay between shots can serve to build mental pressure and nervousness, according to Florida sport psychologist Dr. John F. Murray. Golfers on the course have no form of outlet for accumulated mental stress, and there aren't any teammates who can provide support. Dr. Murray elaborates: “ So much of their time is getting ready for a shot, and there are more mental factors that can distract you or also help you and be a positive. There is more potential for being stressed, but also for being prepared.” In a traditional "reactionary" sport, such as basketball or tennis, the speed of competition and importance of reacting without thinking can serve to minimize time an athlete spends overthinking their play. However, in golf, competitors have "nowhere to go but think about what might happen." With so much time spent walking up to the ball, all a golfer has to think about is the next shot. Furthermore, while fear of failure is an issue in all sports, it is magnified in golf. A golfer can only blame him or herself for failure, since no one is defending them. Throw in the added stressors of spectators, pressure situations, and course conditions, and the importance of a strong mental game in golf instantly becomes clear. Some important skills necessary to counteract the mental pressures of golf include positive self-talk, visualizations, and self-relaxation or clearing exercises.
Read the rest of the New York Times article, including more notes from Dr. Murray, here.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Shooting for Lower Scores
Add another item to the list of mental techniques PGA players are trying in the quest for better scores - consultation with an Olympic champion shooter. Lanny Bassham, who took gold in Montreal's 1976 Olympics for shooting, claims there are many parallels between shooting and golf. Bassham elaborates: "There, [in golf], it’s just you and the golf club; I’ve got a rifle. He has a target; I have a target. He has to consider the wind, which is what we do. I think golf is a lot closer to rifle shooting than it is to football.”
One of the points which Bassham stresses the most is the importance of being focused on the process and execution of the motion, be it shooting or golf, rather than the desired result or goal. This is gained from his experience at the 1972 Olympics, in which he took silver. During his defeat in the gold medal round, Bassham "was trying as hard as I could on every shot to get it in the 10 ring." He feels this led to his defeat; after consulting with other gold medal winners, they all agreed on the conclusion that "the process is more important than the outcome.”
Some of Bassham's clients include Fred Funk, Justin Leonard, and Ben Crane.
To read the whole New York Times story, including detailed reactions from professional sport psychologists, click here.
Add another item to the list of mental techniques PGA players are trying in the quest for better scores - consultation with an Olympic champion shooter. Lanny Bassham, who took gold in Montreal's 1976 Olympics for shooting, claims there are many parallels between shooting and golf. Bassham elaborates: "There, [in golf], it’s just you and the golf club; I’ve got a rifle. He has a target; I have a target. He has to consider the wind, which is what we do. I think golf is a lot closer to rifle shooting than it is to football.”
One of the points which Bassham stresses the most is the importance of being focused on the process and execution of the motion, be it shooting or golf, rather than the desired result or goal. This is gained from his experience at the 1972 Olympics, in which he took silver. During his defeat in the gold medal round, Bassham "was trying as hard as I could on every shot to get it in the 10 ring." He feels this led to his defeat; after consulting with other gold medal winners, they all agreed on the conclusion that "the process is more important than the outcome.”
Some of Bassham's clients include Fred Funk, Justin Leonard, and Ben Crane.
To read the whole New York Times story, including detailed reactions from professional sport psychologists, click here.
NBA Playoffs: The Psychology of the Home Court Advantage
Playing with 20,000 screaming fans supporting the teams' every move has long been considered one of the NBA's most significant advantages, and this year's NBA Playoffs have proven to be no different. Especially when a team is playing with a younger roster, the home fans can prove to be a huge motivating factor. Take the eight-seed Warriors first-round upset of the 67 win, one-seed Mavericks as an example. Backed by a packed house sporting "We Believe" promotional t-shirts, the Warriors defeated the Mavs by 18 and made them "look nervous and disjointed" for a 2-1 series lead, according to April 28ths New York Times. Despite their subsequent defeat at the hands of the Utah Jazz in the second round, the Warriors home court proved to be a distinct advantage, even rattling the soon-to-be MVP Dirk Nowitzki.
Furthermore, this years Eastern Conference Finals proves the power of the home court even further, with both the Pistons and Cavs holding serve on their home floor. The question is now posed to both teams - who can win on the other team's home floor? LeBron James supposedly answered questions regarding his clutch ability in the 4th quarter in game 4 in Cleveland with 13 points on 5-5 shooting from the line, while Rasheed Wallace lost his cool with a technical foul. Will fortunes reverse in game 5 in Detroit?
Statistically speaking, there is a distinct home court advantage - in the 2005-2006 NBA season, home teams finished with a .604 winning percentage, according to NBC sports. How will the rest of this years NBA playoffs pan out? Will the psychological advantage of playing with the support of the crowd help the eventual champion claim their title, or will visiting teams find a way to overcome the challenge? Keep checking with SPINw for more updates on the NBA playoffs.
To see more NBC home court advantage stats, click here.
Playing with 20,000 screaming fans supporting the teams' every move has long been considered one of the NBA's most significant advantages, and this year's NBA Playoffs have proven to be no different. Especially when a team is playing with a younger roster, the home fans can prove to be a huge motivating factor. Take the eight-seed Warriors first-round upset of the 67 win, one-seed Mavericks as an example. Backed by a packed house sporting "We Believe" promotional t-shirts, the Warriors defeated the Mavs by 18 and made them "look nervous and disjointed" for a 2-1 series lead, according to April 28ths New York Times. Despite their subsequent defeat at the hands of the Utah Jazz in the second round, the Warriors home court proved to be a distinct advantage, even rattling the soon-to-be MVP Dirk Nowitzki.
Furthermore, this years Eastern Conference Finals proves the power of the home court even further, with both the Pistons and Cavs holding serve on their home floor. The question is now posed to both teams - who can win on the other team's home floor? LeBron James supposedly answered questions regarding his clutch ability in the 4th quarter in game 4 in Cleveland with 13 points on 5-5 shooting from the line, while Rasheed Wallace lost his cool with a technical foul. Will fortunes reverse in game 5 in Detroit?
Statistically speaking, there is a distinct home court advantage - in the 2005-2006 NBA season, home teams finished with a .604 winning percentage, according to NBC sports. How will the rest of this years NBA playoffs pan out? Will the psychological advantage of playing with the support of the crowd help the eventual champion claim their title, or will visiting teams find a way to overcome the challenge? Keep checking with SPINw for more updates on the NBA playoffs.
To see more NBC home court advantage stats, click here.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
The Psychology of College Baseball's Best
James Madison junior outfielder Kellen Kulbacki didn't do too much to earn co-national player of the year - only led Division-I in homers with 24 and RBI with 75, while hitting .464. In addition to his normal training regimen with the JMU team, Kulbacki has been regularly attending sessions with Dr. Wendy Borlabi, a sport psychologist the school makes available to its athletes. After visiting her regularly since 2005, Kulbacki says "the things I accomplished, I couldn't believe it almost," and credits Borlabi with much of his improvement on offense from his freshman to sophomore years.
Read the rest of the Richmond Times-Dispatch article here.
James Madison junior outfielder Kellen Kulbacki didn't do too much to earn co-national player of the year - only led Division-I in homers with 24 and RBI with 75, while hitting .464. In addition to his normal training regimen with the JMU team, Kulbacki has been regularly attending sessions with Dr. Wendy Borlabi, a sport psychologist the school makes available to its athletes. After visiting her regularly since 2005, Kulbacki says "the things I accomplished, I couldn't believe it almost," and credits Borlabi with much of his improvement on offense from his freshman to sophomore years.
Read the rest of the Richmond Times-Dispatch article here.
Red Sox Psychology
As the major league season is now in full swing, countless players are working their way through the minor league system, all with one dream in mind - making it, someday, to the bigs. In addition to hard work, practice, and passion for the game, minor leaguers for the Red Sox now have another ally in their quest - a sport psychologist. Bob Tewksbury, retired pitcher with 110 career wins and a 3.92 ERA under his belt, is hard at work in his third season as psychologist for the entire Sox farm system. One of Tewksbury's goals is challenging misconceptions about sport psychology, saying that "the industry name is ‘mental skills’ or ‘performance enhancement’ or whatever. I’d like to say it pertains to psychology, and I think it’s important for people to know that because I think there’s a stigma to psychology in general. The things that the players experience are totally normal. Throughout society people have issues that are totally normal, so I want to try to get away from that."
Read more on Tewksbury's efforts here.
As the major league season is now in full swing, countless players are working their way through the minor league system, all with one dream in mind - making it, someday, to the bigs. In addition to hard work, practice, and passion for the game, minor leaguers for the Red Sox now have another ally in their quest - a sport psychologist. Bob Tewksbury, retired pitcher with 110 career wins and a 3.92 ERA under his belt, is hard at work in his third season as psychologist for the entire Sox farm system. One of Tewksbury's goals is challenging misconceptions about sport psychology, saying that "the industry name is ‘mental skills’ or ‘performance enhancement’ or whatever. I’d like to say it pertains to psychology, and I think it’s important for people to know that because I think there’s a stigma to psychology in general. The things that the players experience are totally normal. Throughout society people have issues that are totally normal, so I want to try to get away from that."
Read more on Tewksbury's efforts here.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Golf’s Mental Game
Golfers at all levels are beginning to appreciate more and more the importance of mental game training. The latest example comes from the
Quotes of the Week
Ducks tourney run
"I just came out with a lot of confidence"
- Oregon freshman guard Tajuan Porter after his 33-point effort and NCAA regional record-tying 8 three-pointers
"We call it the 'heat check...He'll shoot one more just to see if it goes in. Then he's on fire and we just keep giving it to him."
- Oregon forward Maarty Leunen on Porter's shooting
From ESPN.com
The Return of Sammy
"Today is about Sammy Sosa and the Texas Rangers - I mean the Texas Rangers and Sammy Sosa."
- Sammy Sosa at a spring training press conference
"It takes the spotlight away from our team."
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels, when asked about possible downsides to Sammy's return
From Sports Illustrated, March 5
Ducks tourney run
"I just came out with a lot of confidence"
- Oregon freshman guard Tajuan Porter after his 33-point effort and NCAA regional record-tying 8 three-pointers
"We call it the 'heat check...He'll shoot one more just to see if it goes in. Then he's on fire and we just keep giving it to him."
- Oregon forward Maarty Leunen on Porter's shooting
From ESPN.com
The Return of Sammy
"Today is about Sammy Sosa and the Texas Rangers - I mean the Texas Rangers and Sammy Sosa."
- Sammy Sosa at a spring training press conference
"It takes the spotlight away from our team."
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels, when asked about possible downsides to Sammy's return
From Sports Illustrated, March 5
Youth Coaching Tactics
As youth sports continue to grow in popularity and size, the pressure put on young athletes also increases.
As eyes from scouting services begin looking to younger and younger kids in search of the next LeBron, it is becoming more and more clear that proper youth coaching philosophies be researched and put in place both for the integrity of the game and the welfare of our young athletes.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
It’s tourney season again!
The traditional stakes are on the line in this year’s 2007 NCAA basketball tournaments – status, money, and, biggest of all, bragging rights in the world of college hoops. Big players are making headlines, with names like Durant, Oden, and Hansbrough making noise in post-game analysis and NBA Draft discussions alike. Apart from the traditional powerhouses and star players, what stories are seeing press this year? Given that this years competition is just as brutal as ever, teams are taking extra steps to stay ahead. An example is No. 2 seed
Coach John Calipari has completely abandoned free-throw exercises in practice, favoring visualization exercises instead focusing on a good follow through and a swish of the net. Says forward Robert Dozier, “If you visualize yourself making it, you'll make it, rather than just thinking, ‘Oh my God, I don't know if I'm going to make it or not.’”
Apparently the strategy worked – earlier tonight
Read the entire San Diego Union-Tribune report here.
Check out the Memphis-Texas A&M game report from ESPN here.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
A New Pitching Philosophy
Baseball, as is well known, is a sport rich in tradition, history, and heritage of the game. As
Alan Jaeger has pioneered a new philosophy in pitcher training since the early 90’s. His regimen includes breathing and meditation exercises and yoga for up to four hours a day followed by throwing workouts for forty minutes or so. Star clients and include Barry Zito and Joel Zumaya. One of Jaeger’s specific mental techniques includes a rehearsed, practiced breathing exercise on the mound by which the pitcher relaxes himself and focuses his attention and nervousness on his breathing routine, not the pitch itself. By the time anxiety over the pitch enters the pitchers mind, it’s already been thrown for a strike.
Click here to read the full article from February 11th’s New York Times, and be sure to follow the Giants Barry Zito and the Twins Joel Zumaya to see how Jaeger’s tactics pay off this season.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Quotes of the Week
Reactions from around the NBA to ex-NBAer John Amaechi's announcement that he is gay, and kept it a secret during his playing career:
"That's his own sexual preference. I had no problem with it when I played with him. You kind of had a sense. It didn't bother me. As long as a guy is producing on the basketball court, I don't care what he is." - Tracy McGrady
It might be "a little awkward." - Jamal Crawford
"I don't care what you do in your private life, as long as it doesn't affect our team." - Chauncey Billups
"I'm definitely not a fan of gay-ness. But I would rather a person go ahead and admit they're gay rather than be undercover." - Amare Stoudemire
"We're like family and you take showers with each other. We're on the bus together and we talk about a lot of things and if you're not trustworthy, like admitting you're gay, you can't be trusted. It's a trust factor." - LeBron James
From ESPN and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Reactions from around the NBA to ex-NBAer John Amaechi's announcement that he is gay, and kept it a secret during his playing career:
"That's his own sexual preference. I had no problem with it when I played with him. You kind of had a sense. It didn't bother me. As long as a guy is producing on the basketball court, I don't care what he is." - Tracy McGrady
It might be "a little awkward." - Jamal Crawford
"I don't care what you do in your private life, as long as it doesn't affect our team." - Chauncey Billups
"I'm definitely not a fan of gay-ness. But I would rather a person go ahead and admit they're gay rather than be undercover." - Amare Stoudemire
"We're like family and you take showers with each other. We're on the bus together and we talk about a lot of things and if you're not trustworthy, like admitting you're gay, you can't be trusted. It's a trust factor." - LeBron James
From ESPN and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Tragedy from USC
In continuing news from a tragic story in college football, ESPN and the AP reported on February 5th that USC kicker Mario Danelo had a blood-alcohol level of .23 when he plunged off an over-100 foot cliff in early January. Nearly three times California's legal limit for driving, a BAC of .23 would cause significant intoxication. Several USC players have stated since the incident that they believed Danelo did not commit suicide.
Amid the swirling controversy regarding substance abuse in all sports, the incident brings college abuse to the forefront. 2002 research by the Higher Education Center reported that college athletes actually exhibit much higher rates of alcohol use than non-athlete college students - 57 percent of male athletes reported heavy alcohol use, as compared to 49 percent of male non-athletes; 48 percent of female athletes used alcohol heavily, versus 40 percent of non-athletes. Heavy alcohol use was defined in the study as 5 or more drinks in a row for men and 4 for women; the time period in which the use occurred was two weeks prior to the study.
It is apparent that alcohol use is relatively common among collegiate athletes - to what level does this affect their performance? It seems unlikely that alcohol use had nothing to do with Danelo's death, given his high BAC. For those college athletes who compete professionally, are they being primed to live a high-profile, hard partying professional life? Keep checking with SPINw as further research investigates the subject. As in most things, responsible alcohol use in moderation is most likely the best way to go.
Read the ESPN/AP story here.
Read the Higher Ed Center report here.
In continuing news from a tragic story in college football, ESPN and the AP reported on February 5th that USC kicker Mario Danelo had a blood-alcohol level of .23 when he plunged off an over-100 foot cliff in early January. Nearly three times California's legal limit for driving, a BAC of .23 would cause significant intoxication. Several USC players have stated since the incident that they believed Danelo did not commit suicide.
Amid the swirling controversy regarding substance abuse in all sports, the incident brings college abuse to the forefront. 2002 research by the Higher Education Center reported that college athletes actually exhibit much higher rates of alcohol use than non-athlete college students - 57 percent of male athletes reported heavy alcohol use, as compared to 49 percent of male non-athletes; 48 percent of female athletes used alcohol heavily, versus 40 percent of non-athletes. Heavy alcohol use was defined in the study as 5 or more drinks in a row for men and 4 for women; the time period in which the use occurred was two weeks prior to the study.
It is apparent that alcohol use is relatively common among collegiate athletes - to what level does this affect their performance? It seems unlikely that alcohol use had nothing to do with Danelo's death, given his high BAC. For those college athletes who compete professionally, are they being primed to live a high-profile, hard partying professional life? Keep checking with SPINw as further research investigates the subject. As in most things, responsible alcohol use in moderation is most likely the best way to go.
Read the ESPN/AP story here.
Read the Higher Ed Center report here.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
The Mind-Body Connection: Mental and Physical Health
Sports injuries are physical setbacks with physical causes which can be cured by physical means. Sprained ankles, pulled muscles, or broken bones are all caused by the normal rigors of training and competition, right? Wrong. More and more contemporary sport psychology research is uncovering the relationship between an athlete's mental health and the physical well-being. As documented in a January 4 New York Times article, stress in an athletes life can be a primary factor in the cause of injury. For example, a stressed athlete may be less observant or alert during competition, resulting in a physical mistake which leads to injury. The same mistake may not have been made had the same athlete been in peak condition mentally. Furthermore, as we all know, our muscles tense up during periods of stress. Athletes experiencing abnormal muscle tension due to stress are more susceptible to injury, since tense muscles are more likely to strain or tear.
How can stress related injuries be avoided? Lowering stress is one way. However, since removing all stress in life is clearly impossible, perhaps the best way is to learn how to handle stress better. According to Dr. Stanley Herring, team physician of the Seattle Seahawks, the impact of stress is determined at an individual level - "One man's stress is another man's vacation...Those at risk are the ones whose stress exceeds the resources they have to cope with it." How are you at handling your own stress? Recommended coping methods are visualizations and relaxation techniques.
To read the NYT article, click here.
For more content on the impact of stress on athletic performance, check out our December 11 post.
Sports injuries are physical setbacks with physical causes which can be cured by physical means. Sprained ankles, pulled muscles, or broken bones are all caused by the normal rigors of training and competition, right? Wrong. More and more contemporary sport psychology research is uncovering the relationship between an athlete's mental health and the physical well-being. As documented in a January 4 New York Times article, stress in an athletes life can be a primary factor in the cause of injury. For example, a stressed athlete may be less observant or alert during competition, resulting in a physical mistake which leads to injury. The same mistake may not have been made had the same athlete been in peak condition mentally. Furthermore, as we all know, our muscles tense up during periods of stress. Athletes experiencing abnormal muscle tension due to stress are more susceptible to injury, since tense muscles are more likely to strain or tear.
How can stress related injuries be avoided? Lowering stress is one way. However, since removing all stress in life is clearly impossible, perhaps the best way is to learn how to handle stress better. According to Dr. Stanley Herring, team physician of the Seattle Seahawks, the impact of stress is determined at an individual level - "One man's stress is another man's vacation...Those at risk are the ones whose stress exceeds the resources they have to cope with it." How are you at handling your own stress? Recommended coping methods are visualizations and relaxation techniques.
To read the NYT article, click here.
For more content on the impact of stress on athletic performance, check out our December 11 post.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Quote of the Week
"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club wont be worth a dime."
-Babe ruth
More sports quotes here.
"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club wont be worth a dime."
-Babe ruth
More sports quotes here.
Blinding Rage
Titans D Tackle Albert Haynesworth shocked the sports world on October 1st with his now-infamous head-stomp on Cowboys center Andre Gurode. The sports media world was instantly ablaze with reports of "out of control athletes", as we all remember.
What were the mental events which took place to lead to such a horrific act? What were Haynesworth's psychological reactions to the event? This month's ESPN the Magazine delves further into the issue. Haynesworth claims it was an attempted cheap shot by Gurode on his surgically repaired knee that spurred the incident. The rage and anger built up inside after the play to the extent that the plays preceding the stomp were a blur - and the Titan didn't at first remember why he was in the locker room by himself after being ejected. He was truly blinded by rage.
Since the fight, Haynesworth has been seeing a counselor weekly to discuss his feelings and mindset. It has been nothing too formal or academic - simply chatting about how he's feeling, which eventually leads to a deeper discussion about his family troubles or the pressure he's felt since signing a huge contract.
Given the violence exhibited by the Knicks-Nuggets brawl, the Haynesworth stomp, and the TO spitting controversy, clearly the need in professional athletics for sports counseling is more pressing than ever. Keep checking with SPINw for further updates on the topic.
Read Seth Wickersham's article from ESPN the Magazine's Jan. 15 issue here.
Titans D Tackle Albert Haynesworth shocked the sports world on October 1st with his now-infamous head-stomp on Cowboys center Andre Gurode. The sports media world was instantly ablaze with reports of "out of control athletes", as we all remember.
What were the mental events which took place to lead to such a horrific act? What were Haynesworth's psychological reactions to the event? This month's ESPN the Magazine delves further into the issue. Haynesworth claims it was an attempted cheap shot by Gurode on his surgically repaired knee that spurred the incident. The rage and anger built up inside after the play to the extent that the plays preceding the stomp were a blur - and the Titan didn't at first remember why he was in the locker room by himself after being ejected. He was truly blinded by rage.
Since the fight, Haynesworth has been seeing a counselor weekly to discuss his feelings and mindset. It has been nothing too formal or academic - simply chatting about how he's feeling, which eventually leads to a deeper discussion about his family troubles or the pressure he's felt since signing a huge contract.
Given the violence exhibited by the Knicks-Nuggets brawl, the Haynesworth stomp, and the TO spitting controversy, clearly the need in professional athletics for sports counseling is more pressing than ever. Keep checking with SPINw for further updates on the topic.
Read Seth Wickersham's article from ESPN the Magazine's Jan. 15 issue here.
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