I have had more successes in life by keeping it simple. Complex plans require detailed attention, excess preparation, multiple contingencies, and often are unsuccessful unless the flow is constantly positive with every piece of the puzzle fitting perfectly within a dynamic and changeable environment. Although many tried while flying a fast moving jet, to include myself, I rarely saw complex plans succeed. From my experience watching as a spectator and analyzing the human factors in sports, it seems to me that keeping it simple was the secret for success for many coaches and teams, too. Assumptions: before any mental plan will work, I first need to ensure the following have been accomplished.
1. Knowledge of the technical and tactical …show more content…
I have to know my players individually with strong and sound interpersonal relationships built on trust. Because of this relationship, I have an open door to all my athletes to discuss any topic to include how to start a conversation about mental plans. Regarding how to start one with an athlete to discuss mental plans, I would announce to my team in person that I would be working individually with each player to create “game plans” and strategies on how to increase performance. I would give them an assignment to think of 3 short term and 3 long term goals for the year as the foundation for their individual meetings. Then, I would schedule a time with each player to discuss the development of a mental plan for preparation, performance, and recovery. Note: I think the word mental and/or psychology could trigger a negative in one’s mind regarding mental training skills and tools. Maybe I would rename the term “mental plans” to “leadership plans” or “leadership training tools and skills” in order to implement without pushback from the athletes or their parents, if they were …show more content…
For each player, I would assess their visions, goals, wants, and needs plus discuss with them their strengths and weaknesses. As a cooperative-style coach, I would ask them their thoughts as well and listen intently with empathic and attentive ears. I would also assess their thoughts on what type of things motivated them, gave them confidence, stirred them up emotionally on both the good and bad sides, what calmed them down (to include what words or images) and what energized them to action with both a narrow and wide attention span. I would ask them what it felt like internally in their minds when they met or failed at achieving a challenging goal. I would try to see what drove them to even play this sport we would be discussing. I would try and help them understand how they felt when in a flow-state of mindset with optimal arousal and when in their Ideal Performance State (IPS). I would try to learn as much as I could about this athlete so that I could help them formulate their own mental or leadership plans that would work best for them. If it was a follow-up meeting after creating the plan(s), I would involve them in the adjustment process.
5. Before any mental plan can be created, I would help them create a list of process and performance goals with an action plan on how they were going to achieve these challenging and SMART goals as stepping stones toward their eventual outcome goal. Each player would be issued a team leadership book that had forms for listing
1. Knowledge of the technical and tactical …show more content…
I have to know my players individually with strong and sound interpersonal relationships built on trust. Because of this relationship, I have an open door to all my athletes to discuss any topic to include how to start a conversation about mental plans. Regarding how to start one with an athlete to discuss mental plans, I would announce to my team in person that I would be working individually with each player to create “game plans” and strategies on how to increase performance. I would give them an assignment to think of 3 short term and 3 long term goals for the year as the foundation for their individual meetings. Then, I would schedule a time with each player to discuss the development of a mental plan for preparation, performance, and recovery. Note: I think the word mental and/or psychology could trigger a negative in one’s mind regarding mental training skills and tools. Maybe I would rename the term “mental plans” to “leadership plans” or “leadership training tools and skills” in order to implement without pushback from the athletes or their parents, if they were …show more content…
For each player, I would assess their visions, goals, wants, and needs plus discuss with them their strengths and weaknesses. As a cooperative-style coach, I would ask them their thoughts as well and listen intently with empathic and attentive ears. I would also assess their thoughts on what type of things motivated them, gave them confidence, stirred them up emotionally on both the good and bad sides, what calmed them down (to include what words or images) and what energized them to action with both a narrow and wide attention span. I would ask them what it felt like internally in their minds when they met or failed at achieving a challenging goal. I would try to see what drove them to even play this sport we would be discussing. I would try and help them understand how they felt when in a flow-state of mindset with optimal arousal and when in their Ideal Performance State (IPS). I would try to learn as much as I could about this athlete so that I could help them formulate their own mental or leadership plans that would work best for them. If it was a follow-up meeting after creating the plan(s), I would involve them in the adjustment process.
5. Before any mental plan can be created, I would help them create a list of process and performance goals with an action plan on how they were going to achieve these challenging and SMART goals as stepping stones toward their eventual outcome goal. Each player would be issued a team leadership book that had forms for listing