As a coach, one characteristic that I think is really missing in today's player is mental toughness. Mental toughness is the ability of someone to perservere and have an inner drive to accomplish goals when someone or something is challenging them. For example, two teams are in the midst of highly competitive game, the team that is the toughest will push through the adversity and challenge to win the game. Of course, there are certain factors that one team might overcome like hostile crowd, poor officiating, travel, or illness/injury. When it is all said and done, the the team or individual that can cope through pressure and tough situations will ultimately be successful in accomplishing their goals/tasks. It is important to be determined, focused, confident, resilient, and remain in control when faced with those situations.
There are four key psychological characteristics associated with mentally tough athletes and teams:
1.) SELF BELIEF
The individual/team needs to have the confidence in their skills that they can achieve those goals that are set out.
2.) MOTIVATION
The individual/team need to be instrinsically moviated to succeed at any cost; must want it more than anyone else. They also are prepared to push through or bounce back from any negative situation/result.
3.) FOCUS
The individual/team must have the skill to focused on the task at hand and block out any unnecessary distractions. They also must be able to play through tough stretches in their performance. For example, poor shooting performance, but doesn't effect the other parts of their game.
4.) COMPOSURE/HANDLING PRESSURE
The individual/team must embrace competition, and have a high desire to be challenged by competition. They know that NO ONE will roll over and die for them. They also must control their emotion through any event or distraction.
According to Dr. David Yukelson, Coordinator of Sports Psychology Servrices at Penn State University, there are seven steps in the development of mental toughness:
1. The team/individual needs to have the right attitude and state of mind.
2. The team/individual must program their mind to succeed ahead of time with positive affirmations and expectations.
3. Routinize your behaviors. Develop a systematic pre-competition routine that clicks on desired mental-emotinal state of mind.
4. Poise and Composure. Learn how to let go of mistakes quickly if things do not go the way you want.
5. The team/individual must take control of negative self-talk; reframe "stinking thinking" into positive task oriented suggestions.
6. The team/individual needs to look at failure as a stepping stone for future achievement.
7. Thea team/individual must be a difference maker, step up and have a great performance when it matters most.
There are four key psychological characteristics associated with mentally tough athletes and teams:
1.) SELF BELIEF
The individual/team needs to have the confidence in their skills that they can achieve those goals that are set out.
2.) MOTIVATION
The individual/team need to be instrinsically moviated to succeed at any cost; must want it more than anyone else. They also are prepared to push through or bounce back from any negative situation/result.
3.) FOCUS
The individual/team must have the skill to focused on the task at hand and block out any unnecessary distractions. They also must be able to play through tough stretches in their performance. For example, poor shooting performance, but doesn't effect the other parts of their game.
4.) COMPOSURE/HANDLING PRESSURE
The individual/team must embrace competition, and have a high desire to be challenged by competition. They know that NO ONE will roll over and die for them. They also must control their emotion through any event or distraction.
According to Dr. David Yukelson, Coordinator of Sports Psychology Servrices at Penn State University, there are seven steps in the development of mental toughness:
1. The team/individual needs to have the right attitude and state of mind.
2. The team/individual must program their mind to succeed ahead of time with positive affirmations and expectations.
3. Routinize your behaviors. Develop a systematic pre-competition routine that clicks on desired mental-emotinal state of mind.
4. Poise and Composure. Learn how to let go of mistakes quickly if things do not go the way you want.
5. The team/individual must take control of negative self-talk; reframe "stinking thinking" into positive task oriented suggestions.
6. The team/individual needs to look at failure as a stepping stone for future achievement.
7. Thea team/individual must be a difference maker, step up and have a great performance when it matters most.
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