Mental Edge

Newsletter Issue February 2010

Mind Strength. Become Exceptional.

What Does Pressure Do To Us?

Shaun Goodsell, MA

President and CEO of Mental Edge

Many athletes struggle to understand why they often perform better in practice then in games. For some the presence of pressure leads to enhanced performance and for others the exact opposite is true. To answer this question we have to unpack how pressure impacts certain players verses others. Realizing there is no one single right answer for everyone. The reason why this is the case is that everyone has a different formula for what brings the best out of them based on how they are wired when they find themselves in pressure situations. Let me illustrate:

Joe is a laid back person that takes most things in stride with a very easygoing personality. He is never really to excited and never really down. If you didn't know him well you might assume that he doesn't really care about much and is often accused of being a bit lazy. Practice is something that creates an opportunity to be with his friends and blow off some steam before going home for a night of Facebook and texting. For Joe the thought of a big game and any pressure associated with this game only serves to drive him into more perceived apathy and emotional disengagement because he is motivated and driven by comfort over achievement. As this unfolds a coach could become frustrated and overwhelmed, even a bit angry, as he tries to shape Joe into a more intense, engaged, and motivated player. Tactics could include applying more pressure telling Joe he will sit if he doesn't bring more energy to the game and even yelling at him as he plays hoping to jar him out of his funk. All these do is entrench Joe more in his preferred social posture. So, what are some explanations for what is going on and how to help Joe be his best?

First, it is likely that Joe is a strong analytical and is not prone to emotional expression. Next, the more external pressure he feels the more he will become introverted and over think everything he does because he values doing things right the first time and not having to repeat them. In this case, pressure has the effect of activating the "over thinking" part of the brain and serves to paralyze him during competitive situations. The performance tip for Joe is to simplify the game, appeal to reason, stay calm, allow Joe the latitude to play without experiencing much external pressure, and to work with Joe to determine what he expects of himself and work to help him accomplish that.

Next we have Steve. Steve is a highly-strung athlete that approaches everything with great intensity and effort. He is a perfectionist with a very limited tolerance for mistakes not only in his performance, but with those around him as well. Practices are not only opportunities to improve but prove his superiority over those around him. His teammates both admire his intensity and are put off by it because of the inevitable critical statements that flow from him when he is under pressure. To his coaches Steve is the model that they hope to replicate and often name him a leader because of the work ethic and desire to win he brings to everything he does. Privately, Steve is haunted with fears of failure, disappointing others, and is only noticed when he is successful. In big games Steve begins to feel like the fate of his team lies in his play and anxiety takes over and literally tightens him up from head to toes. Fundamental skills become difficult and opportunities normally capitalized on with relative ease become very difficult. In this case, pressure serves to ignite more and more self-criticism bringing with it more and more intensity and pressure to succeed. Not only does he tighten up but his decision making process is negatively impacted by him second guessing himself and his intuitive instinctive play turns into tentative over thinking play. Coaches trying to encourage him only feel powerless to interrupt this pattern. Steve needs to learn how to calm himself and redefine how he deals with his desire for excellence. In reality, Steve needs to learn how to lighten up. Pressure ignites a different series of internal events for Steve that is different then Joe. Understanding the unique ways that each player deals with pressure and what the impact of that is on performance is very important when trying to help players be their best.

These are some examples of how pressure can affect different personality types and impact the ability of that athlete to compete and excel under pressure. As big games are on the horizon, understand that pressure has the capacity to eliminate the strengths of the best of players. No wonder we talk about the sport being 90% mental. There are many different personality blue prints that all respond to pressure differently. We have a unique tool called the TAIS profile that allows us to get a detailed blue print of how individual athletes are most apt to be impacted by pressure both externally and internally. This blue print then guides our coaching so we can work personally to help players be their best when it counts the most.

For more information on this powerful performance tool you can visit the WM Show and Tell Video or TAIS Overview

If you would like to take the TAIS and work with us to build your personal blue print so that you can be your best when it counts the most, give us a call today 763-439-5246 and let's get started!

Until next time, here's to your possibilities!

Shaun

Shaun@MentalEdgeNow.com

I Play Better When I'm Angry
Justin Johnson, Performance Coach

"My dad says I play better when I'm angry, and you know what, he's right" was the response I received from a candid and energetic high school athlete last month. It certainly wasn't the first time I've heard athletes describe times when the feeling of anger has propelled them to better play. Nor can I blame her for her response as I have seen the "benefits" of playing angry in my career as well. That sudden rush of anger brings a heightened awareness, razor sharp focus, split second reactions and a level of intensity that can really produce results. However, I believe our young athletes have either mistaken competitiveness for anger, or have simply taken a short cut, and applied a quick fix solution to a problem that has deeper roots.

I have met many athletes who, with the best of intentions, have relied upon and sought out ways to raise their frustration level in hopes of it igniting their performances. It is my belief that although short term benefits may be revealed, playing angry takes the fun out of athletics and undermines the purpose of enjoying athletics and competing. Furthermore I have yet to hear an elite athlete in a post-game interview explain how anger gave them the advantage.

What our athletes need to understand is if you remove the emotion of anger from the equation you are left with heightened awareness, razor sharp focus, split second reactions and intensity. All of which will likely set you up for quality performances. So the question then becomes. "How do I perform using those mental skills without being dependent on anger as my source?"

In my mind, the closest HEALTHY emotion to playing with anger is the feeling you get when you compete. "Competitive" as described by the dictionary is defined as inclined toward wanting to achieve more than others. This want to compete is the pathway to heightened awareness, razor sharp focus, split second reactions and intensity in the healthiest of ways. In other words, our athletes must harness their competitive spirit versus unleash their anger when seeking peak performance. For some this will be easier than for others but below I outline a couple important concepts that tap into the competitive spirit.

Goal Setting
The setting of goals gives us a target to reach for and hit, and can motivate us to be our best. We can set goals around virtually any activity and can create the span of time we must achieve it in or the way in which we will achieve it.

Keeping Score/ Creativity
In the simplest of activities or drills keep score. Even if it is in your own head and no one else knows you are doing it. Remember, the score can be whatever you want...think of yourself as down by a point needing to catch up regardless of the true score. You can also pick people to compete against, seeking to match them or out perform them in whatever activity you choose.

It is my belief that through these mental skills you can redirect the type of energy you once used for anger and transform yourself into the type of competitive athlete that displays the type of intensity that leads you to peak performances and a more enjoyable experience.

If you would like help redirecting your mental skills and transform your anger into a healthy competitive edge, please call us...we'd love to help you with your success 763-439-5246!

Justin

Justin@MentalEdgeNow.com

Feedback is Highly Underestimated
Brady Greco, Performance Coach

Feed-back: Noun
1. Information about reactions to a person's performance of a task, used as a basis for improvement.

2. The modification or control of a process or system by its results or effects.

Feedback is a highly underestimated key ingredient in the process of becoming a better athlete. All too often, athletes allow 'so-called' negative feedback to dictate their athletic performance in a harmful way. Feelings of insecurity, defensiveness, and frustration describe how many athletes feel during or after they receive critical feedback about their performance. The great athletes, however, are able to find ways they can use critical feedback to their advantage in the process of daily improvement. Here are some some important tips that will enable athletes to use feedback properly:

Listen to the feedback attentively to fully understand and comprehend what it is that is trying to be communicated to you.

Do not allow "walls" or defense mechanisms to interfere with the feedback you receive. In other words, do not be sensitive or get defensive.

Uphold and maintain good quality body language while receiving feedback.

If you do not understand the feedback that is given to you, do not be afraid to ask questions to fully comprehend how you can improve from the feedback.

Accept the feedback that is given to you, and understand that it is only one individual's point of view.

Utilize and apply the feedback in your practice or game to help better your long-term and short-term performance.

Find someone you feel gives great quality feedback, seek them out and ask them to give you their feedback.

Being able to accept and apply the necessary tools for improvement stemming from the feedback will increase an athlete's awareness about their personal strengths and weaknesses, leading to further development and improvement.

We would love to help you understand how to use critical feedback to your advantage...give us a call today 763-439-5246!

Brady

Brady@MentalEdgeNow.com