Sports Psychology
The Attention Performance Center

Optimal Sports Training Program at
Attention Performance Center

Program Director Ben Strack, Ph.D. Sport Psychology Consultant

BOOK RELEASE!! July 2011 Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Applications in Sport Psychology Edited by: Benjamin W. Strack, PhD, Michael K. Linden, PhD and Vietta Sue Wilson, PhD Biofeedback and neurofeedback hold tremendous potential in sport and performance applications to train the body and mind to work together, but remain under utilized. Athletes are constantly seeking ways to enhance their performance through physical exercise, drills and analysis of mechanics. In recent years, much more focus has been placed on the mental side of competition with coaches realizing that an athlete's frame of mind is as important as their physical capabilities. >MORE

Most elite athletes would agree that a large portion of their success is accounted for by mastering the psychology of performance. However, the mental game is often misunderstood. Many athletes look at the mental game with the intention of reaching the, somewhat elusive, "zone." Interestingly, the “zone” is achievable only a small percentage of the time (possibly 10-15%). This means that the majority of the time, performance is imperfect. So, what are you doing about the other 85 to 90% of the time when adversity is present and things aren’t going perfectly? This is when mental acuity, endurance, toughness and resilience can separate you from the rest of your competition. The following tips and training tools are essential components to building a high achieving mindset.

Here are some “mental game” errors that we commonly observe and help our players recognize and resolve through our detailed and systematic training approach….some are obvious and others are not so obvious:

Constricted Focus
The Athlete’s performance struggles are often related, not to a lack of focus, but to focusing too hard or over-focusing. Baseball/Softball Example: hitters who are down in the count will often shift into a mental mode of intently over-focusing on putting the ball in play. This is a very defensive approach to hitting which can cause you to tighten up and become hesitant. Having a good two-strike approach is important but many hitters do not realize their approach is counter-productive. Becoming a complete player means that you have studied and discovered what works best for you in different situations with various levels of criticality and importance. This discovery process is the essence of perfecting your mental game.

Over-energized
Many sport tasks require patience; many players make the mistake of “forcing” their performance. Learning the art of “trying easier” will allow you to relax under pressure and perform with poise and control.

“Deer-in-the-Headlights”
“Freezing up” or lacking aggressiveness often occurs with poor preparation, or difficulty managing in-the-moment performance pressure. On the other hand, an athlete could be well prepared but he does not trust his ability, which could lead to similar negative results. Developing greater self-awareness will help you avoid many of the common pitfalls that may hinder your readiness to perform.

Great in Practice, Lousy in Games
Difficulty transferring good outcomes from practice to games is a common result of being emotionally under or over-reactive, especially when in the “lime-light”. By learning to manage adversity and distractions during competition you will see Improvements in your ability to adjust and get into the “groove” quicker.

Intention vs. Attention
Mechanical breakdowns can occur when a player’s “intention” is not in line with the task at hand. For example, in baseball, when a pitcher’s intention is to throw the ball hard, he will often over-throw the baseball. As a result, the mechanics of his motion change and negatively impact the outcome (wild pitch, poor control of pitches). Learning how to develop accurate and appropriate “intentions” will likely lead to improved “attention” and, therefore, improved performance.

“Mental Chatter” or “Busy Brain”
Thinking too much, worrying and over analysis can impede the flow of your game. Competitive athletes are often their worst enemy. To avoid self-defeating thoughts, it is necessary to build a performance vocabulary that is positive, powerful and confidence-building. Get to know your “inner critic”. Every athlete carries on a silent dialogue during and even after performances. Those athletes who are aware of their self-talk and are able to re-channel negative thinking into positive thinking tend to be more consistent and less vulnerable to “slumps.”

“…no matter what level you’re on, to have the type of career you can be proud of, you have to take charge of your mental game. It’s what can set you apart from other players”

Hank Aaron
All-time major-league leader in extra-base hits, total base hits, total bases, runs batted in second all-time in home runs

For further questions regarding our performance psychology training program contact: Dr. Ben Strack (949) 248-7411 Ext. 108

Skills Training For Winning the Game!

32122 Camino Capistrano, Suite 200
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Call for Next Class (949) 248-4399