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I've written here for the last several months primarily for
the players. I think it is important that I mention that The Game within the
Game is for coaches as well. WE are all looking to perform at the highest
levels and regardless of if we are competing on the ice or competing as coaches
against other teams we must be at our best. The Athlete within You was
written for coaches as well as the players (use this code 4ZHURJA4
for a 25% hockey discount).
I challenge coaches to look in the mirror themselves. Ask yourself
some of these questions:
- When there is a bad call against us, do I rant and rave at
the referees? Do I accept that behavior from my players?
- Do I get a good night's sleep the night before a big game?
- Am I tense before, during or after games?
- Do you face your
fears or avoid them?
- Are you confident?
- Do you practice what
you teach your players?
Players' model
behavior of those they admire and respect. They will emulate you! If you get angry,
so will they. If they feel your stress, they will play stressed. When you are
calm, they will be as well. It is OK to have intensity, just be sure to that it
is delivered in a controlled manner.
For years now I have
taught a course in the Psychology of Coaching. The curriculum from my last
course outline looked like this:
| Coaching
of Philosophy |
Coaching Style |
| Emotional Intelligence |
Communications |
| Motivation |
Discipline |
| Teaching Techniques |
Self Talk |
| Outside Influences |
Parent Training |
| Pre & Post Performance Routines |
Goal Setting |
| Relaxation |
Imagery Rehearsal |
| Stress / Anxiety Management |
Anger Management |
| Confidence Building |
Emotional Control |
| Timelines |
Concentration
Training |
| Exercise Psychology |
Life Skills Balance
College Prep Assistance |
| Team Building |
Team Cohesion |
| Peak Performance |
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Your coaching can benefit from some
type of focus on the mental side of coaching. Your players will improve and you
will be more adept and working with and improving their performance. It's not
just X's and O's and it is not just about player selection. A good grounding will
help you in all areas of coaching. For those of you out there that would say, I
don't need that stuff! My old coach knew nothing about psychology. That may or
may not be true, but this is something I do understand. Coaches coach all too often
as they were coached. If we never changed as coaches we would never make true
progress. In football it's the difference between a Mike Ditka and a Pete Carroll.
In basketball it's PJ Carlesimo
(with Latrell Sprewell choking him)
and Phil Jackson. Hockey, well I'll leave that up to you.
Progress is learning from the past
and incorporating what science teaches us about performance today. There was a time
when allowing athletes to drink water was a sign of weakness. Today that is
thought of as ridiculous. Sport
Psychology and mental training have been with us for 75 years formally and many
more informally. Incorporating mental training into your program will benefit your
athletes and you.
Sport Psychology
Consultants does offer a weekend course in the Psychology of Coaching. Just
give me a call and it can be set up for you in your area.
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