Developing Mental Strength is as Important as Physical Skills in any Sport

I’ve always been a believer in developing mental toughness for success in athletics. In sports, as in life, it is critical that athletes develop the proper mental approach. In fact, developing mental toughness in athletics helps young athletes develop necessary skills that will be useful for many situations they will face throughout their life. As a great resource to develop mental strength and toughness, I highly recommend the book ‘Mind Gym’ by Gary Mack. I’ve read this book 4 or 5 times over the past 15 years or so. I always feel more energized, optimistic, confident, and in control after I read it. In the book, Gary Mack provides principles and exercises to help athletes develop a positive mental approach to their game.

I have tried to pass some of these lessons on to the youth players that I’ve coached through the years. One principle that I especially try to develop in young players is to understand that while you can’t always control what happens, you can always control how you respond to it. I like to say “don’t let the situation bring you down, you are in charge of you, at all times.” As Gary says, it’s not the situation that matters, but how you respond to it that makes the difference. Gary also talks about developing  ‘The 7 C’s’ - Competitiveness, Courage, Confidence, Control, Composure, Consistency, & Commitment. I’ve experienced my own success on the court (and in life) using many of these principles.

I remember a few specific instances when positive mental imagery had a direct impact on my performance on the court. The first time it happened for me was during my senior year at Oswego High School. We were riding the bus to a game at Central Square High School in upstate New York. We were underdogs, we weren’t playing particularly well, and my own confidence was very low. The bus ride was long and slow, it was cold and snowy outside (as is usually case in January in Upstate New York). As I sat alone on the bus staring out the frosty window, trying to figure out how I could play better, I closed my eyes and began thinking about what I wanted for that evening’s game - what I wanted both for my own performance and the outcome for our team. I remember shooting free throws in my mind, over and over again...same form, 3 dribbles, spin the ball, bend my knees with a deep breath, eyes to target, up, and finish...swish. Dozens, if not hundreds, of times, I imagined reinforcing my form and making every free throw. I felt great in warm-ups that night - not cocky but very confident. We ended up playing very well that night, pressuring the home team, forcing turnovers and really taking it to them. We won the game 59-46, and it was a big win for us. I finished with 28 points, going 14 for 14 from the free throw line - it was incredible. I also dislocated my pinky finger on my left hand late in the first half, my coach reset it in the locker room at halftime (I still remember how much that hurt as he tried to pull it and straighten it out) and I played the rest of the game with two fingers taped together. I’m left-handed so it definitely affected me - but my confidence, that was formed through my mental imagery prior to the game, allowed me to overcome that injury and perform at my absolute best. This mental imagery exercise on the bus before that game allowed me to release the stress I had been feeling. It opened my mind to greater possibilities and allowed my body to perform at its best. As a result, I was able to succeed on the court.

Here is a summary from Amazon.com of ‘Mind Gym’ by Gary Mack:

In Mind Gym, noted sports psychology consultant Gary Mack explains how your mind influences your performance on the field or on the court as much as your physical skill does, if not more so. Through forty accessible lessons and inspirational anecdotes from prominent athletes--many of whom he has worked with--you will learn the same techniques and exercises Mack uses to help elite athletes build mental "muscle." Mind Gym will give you the "head edge" over the competition.

I hope you have a chance to read ‘Mind Gym,’ and that you find the topics and exercises worthwhile for your development in sports and in life. See you in the gym!

Coach Bradshaw

#putinthework #believe