Wow! My weekend was a wonderful whirlwind. Anyone who knows me well would think I was a fish out of water attending the USASF and USA Cheer National Conference presenting to some of the top Cheer, Stunt and Dance coaches and athletes in the country!
What some of you don’t know (who aren’t my college teammates, at least) is that I took a few tap lessons...actually, for A LONG TIME as a young person. Minus the signage posted all over campus that said “Julie Jones in Concert: Tap Dancing and Playing the Violin Naked. Friday at 6 in Findlay Hall” (not sure where the lack of clothing in the ad came from, but VERY FUNNY Shannon and Donna) this was one of my best-kept secrets until this weekend! My dancing lessons put me nowhere near the caliber of those I worked with this weekend, but it did bring back some fun memories…including those ridiculous signs around campus!
So I wasn’t that far out of the water…and the truth is, coaches are coaches and athletes are athletes. The people I watched do stunts are every bit the same athletes as those I coached!
As I presented on the Three Power Moves, mental rehearsal, focus, routines, etc., one recurring theme of the weekend was “How do we get athletes to buy into mental performance training?”
Good question!
As we know, buy-in is essential for the success of any program, whether mental performance-focused or not! Athletes must believe in the value of the tools and techniques being shared with them or, no matter how sound, they can fall flat.
Author and sports psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr, emphasizes that for buy-in, "athletes need to see a clear connection between mental training and performance improvement." This means we need to figure out how to get those we lead to see a direct impact of the tools we want them to use on their performance…in a hurry!
Unfortunately, no mental training tool is a magic bullet, and like all skills, they take time to perfect. Even so, there are a few things that can help move the process along and hook even the neigh-sayers eventually!
So where do we start?
One thing we need to remember is that the one-size-fits-all program rarely works. That is why I have unique approaches for all my athletes AND the reason I am in touch with my coaches before sessions is to ensure we are hitting their nail on the head with the right hammer! (Working with coaches and leaders is as exciting as working with performers to me! It’s one of my favorite parts of the job!). This can lead to more work, but it is work that works!
Understanding the unique needs of each athlete isn’t always easy. But like you, mental coaches can structure “practices” to gain insight into individual needs and progress. Through some of the post-session work, like 5 Minute Mindset™, I can get a pretty clear picture of where athletes are by how they complete exercises and answer questions. At first, some may work to comply with what they think I want, but after a while, what they want and need becomes pretty apparent…even the holdouts, just like in physical training.
Meeting them where they are…no matter how far away that may be…is important to getting them on board. And realizing that everyone moves at their own pace with new stuff is important, too. There will always be early adopters, those who wait and see and some that will never buy in.
That’s the way we all work. Which category to fall into when a new idea, electronic or tool is introduced? If you’re an early adopter, those who take a “wait and see” approach probably drive you nuts. If you are a skeptic, you probably look at early adopters as nuts!
We will all have an early adopter or two…or someone with some experience and even though we know that comparison is the thief of joy, let’s use it to our advantage here. Athletes are more likely to buy into tools and techniques if they see their peers using and benefiting from them.
The power of social proof is real! If we can find that kingpin early adopter, we are well on our way to getting others to hop on the bandwagon! As Trevor Moawad said, "Having a respected teammate endorse a mental skill can be more influential than any coach or psychologist." I bet there is someone on your team who has used SOME SORT of tool in the past. If they are the right person, they can be a big help in getting others to open their mind to trying SIMPLE tools to start!
Speaking of social proof, how about all the champions count on mental training to be THE BEST! Let’s use their influence as well.
We can cover all our bases by using superstars AND super research to see if we can hook ‘em! (Sounds like we are trying to pull something over on them, but you get what I mean 😊!)
Here are some examples.
Let’s start with research on mindfulness and meditation and the most famous kid from Akron, Lebron James. Research by Gardner and Moore (2006) highlighted that mental performance programs incorporating mindfulness and relaxation techniques can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in athletes. These mental health benefits contribute to overall well-being.
The greatest basketball player ever doesn’t hide his use of mindfulness and meditation to manage stress and maintain focus. He uses these techniques to stay present and perform consistently under pressure and if anyone’s in the spotlight for every move he makes, it’s him! Lebron says, “Mindfulness helps me stay in the moment and not get too high or too low. It’s about finding a balance, staying focused on the task at hand, and not letting anything else interfere."
Boom! Need more proof?
How about blending more research with proof from one of the greatest female athletes ever? Research by Feltz and Lirgg (2001) found that athletes who engage in self-talk and goal-setting interventions report higher levels of confidence and self-efficacy. These psychological skills help athletes believe in their ability to succeed, including the GOAT, Serena Williams!
Whether at a Wimbledon final or on the back courts in Cincinnati, one of the greatest tennis players ever uses positive self-talk and goal-setting to stay focused and motivated. She sets both short-term and long-term goals and uses affirmations to maintain her confidence during matches. "I have to believe in myself when no one else does. That’s what makes me a winner. I keep positive and work on my goals every day, no matter what happens”, said Williams.
As we approach the Paris Olympics, it’s time to watch another GOAT in action, one who has proven the efficacy of mental tools. Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, uses visualization to prepare for her routines and has openly discussed the importance of mental health strategies. She emphasizes the need for mental breaks and self-care to maintain overall well-being. She has also, through some really tough times, learned to manage her emotions, self-doubt and the immense pressure of performing at the very top of her sport.
She and her team know that athletes trained in emotional regulation strategies, such as those described by Gross (2002), are better equipped to handle the emotional highs and lows of competitive sports. This leads to more stable performance and greater psychological resilience.
And Weinberg and Gould (2011) found that athletes who practiced mental rehearsal (visualization) were better able to maintain focus during high-pressure situations.
The GOAT agrees!
Biles says, "I visualize my routines, see myself landing every move perfectly. But I also know when I need to step back and take care of my mental health. It’s all about balance and knowing what I need to be at my best."
It's more of the same for future NFL Hall of Famers Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Both give a ton of credit to their mental strategies and aren’t afraid to say that these practices helped make them two of the best.
Brady used visualization and positive self-talk to maintain his performance level. He visualized game scenarios and outcomes, reinforcing his confidence and readiness. “Visualizing the game and using positive affirmations helps me prepare mentally for whatever comes my way. It’s about being ready for every situation and believing in my ability to handle it."
And Brees said using mental rehearsal gave him the answers to the test before the text. Each day, on his way to Cesar’s Superdome, he rehearsed his 2-minute offense or some other play on a 2-mile stretch of road. He watched himself rehearse everything play after play, year after year.
Both of these guys' careers seem to support Orlick’s (2008) findings that mental skills training contributes to long-term athletic development by fostering a growth mindset and continuous improvement. Like Brady and Brees, athletes who buy into and practice these tools are more likely to sustain high performance over time. If playing into your 40s isn’t proof, I don’t know what is!
Finally, or maybe this should come first, incorporating mental training tools into practice as part of normal coaching conversations can make it the norm and less threatening!
Do you have someone who rolls her eyes at the suggestion of mental rehearsal? Have her write down her ESPN highlights. Have her go through everything she said, felt, saw, wore, was around, and what she and everyone else around her did. Get her to relive it. As she thinks about it and writes it out, she is “seeing” it. And I bet there is part of her that is feeling it!
This is an easy way to “rehearse” without our athletes thinking they need to sit like a monk and meditate all day!
Simple changes in the way you ask questions can get you athletes to “see” and “feel” things, too. Asking simple questions about what a skill could “look like” or “live like” (my way of explaining being totally in it) uses our brain’s propensity to turn words into pictures! We "see" words and pictures in our mind's eye a lot more than we realize! The cool part is, they won’t even know they are doing it…until you point it out weeks later after it is a habit.
By asking straightforward questions about focus and self-talk before a performance, athletes can differentiate between helpful and limiting thoughts and where they were mentally before games or specific plays, thus enhancing their awareness. (Self-awareness is our greatest strength!)
Lastly, reconstructing excellent past performances is an effective method to establish consistency...and confidence. There is nothing hoaky about documenting all you did before you were great! Success leaves clues and this can be a valuable approach to help individuals recognize what sets them up for success!
I love being challenged by good questions and new learning experiences. Although I don’t have an ironclad answer, I am so glad we talked this weekend about the one thing that holds a lot of people back from implementing a mental performance program… pushback and/or lack of buy-in.
There will always be those who don’t buy it, no matter what it is. But if some, or most gain one benefit from a mental tool, everyone is better!!
Thank you USASF and USA Cheer for an amazing weekend and for making the mental side of the game a priority! It is the foundation of all other skills…because everything starts with a thought and getting those we lead to be aware of theirs will change their game!!
Manage the moments!
Julie
P.S. Reach out and get scheduled for the upcoming year! Send me a text at 234-206-0946 or an email at juliej@ssbperformance.com and get on my schedule as we approach the new year!
Julie Jones
Mental Performance Coach
SSB Performance
juliej@ssbperformance.com • 234-206-0946
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