Tom Landry said...

I think that is is great that you want to do something like this for your payers. My sons coach would NEVER do anything like that. Instead of wanting to improve their mental skills, his coach gets off on cutting players down mentally. He only has positive things to say to his "favorites", and they can do no wrong, even if they do wrong. This kind of coaching style does not win games and it hasn't in years. It's great to see that some coaches, such as yourself, really have the players best interest at heart. Good luck with your camp. Too bad you can't offer a camp for coaches like ours, maybe he could learn a thing or two if he cared too.

Son enjoyed you being at UTA Coach. Said it had him look at sports from a different angle. Alot of positiveness (is that a word).

I think Jerry Jones said it was "positivity"

I fear the purple pen!

Danny, you're doomed when she reads that first post.

quote:

Originally posted by Hawkman:
Danny, you're doomed when she reads that first post.

Both are correct forms of the word positive (although I don't encourage their use). However, a lot of posters become confused with other words.

Never fear the purple pen, only rejoice in its majesty. LOL

a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot
a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot

DB, That's greatness!

Go Mavs! and Tech! and now, Bears!

collikar,

I sure spent a lot of time at the board, so I know what it's like.

My only problem was I'm a lefty and every time I wrote something I erased it by dragging my hand. (kind of Bart like)

Good luck to all three, Tech, Baylor and UTA!!

Coach Traub,

I've seen you and like your message to the players. I thought it was very useful information. I haven't seen you in a while so you might have included this in your clinics, but I think that finding ways to "set-up" the message your trying to drive home might help keep the attention of the players. For example, use props and drive home ideas using the players involvement, like a "ropes course."

Just food for thought.

Without the implementation of technology, you'll limit the number you reach.

Think You Tube, Pod Cast, etc....

I'm always open to improving my strategies for motivating student-athletes to pay attention to how to "win" the mental side of the game. I do regularly run team building exercises for any coaches who ask me to. These activities are simpler than high ropes courses and I can take them right to the team practice. (I am also interested in partnering with a ropes course.) As far as gimmicks go to grab attention, I use quite a few in my full seminar and am always looking for more good ones. Please send me suggestions, and I'm always paying attention to my colleagues for ideas. I generally don't use them very much if I'm doing a short (often free) visit with a team (typically 15-20 minutes).

This Peak Performance Camp I ran yesterday was also designed to include activities that demonstrate why mental skills (like attention to details, a positive attitude, and a commitment to a plan for this next pitch) are so important. The campers got the mental skills training basics, and also went through "normal" baseball drills (hopefully doing so with abnormally high intensity and focus). I think it was a great deal for only $25, especially when I think about the money people spend on private lessons. Lessons are important, but learning to coach yourself is, in my opinion, even more important. Mental Skills Training is obviously valuable, and if guys aren't motivated to attend the seminar ("slumping" and highly motivated athletes are, but the majority of teenages lack that kind of initiative), I'm looking for other ways to reach them.

Thank you! Your feedback is appreciated. Keep it coming.