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by Jack Singer, Ph.D.
Licensed Sport/Clinical Psychologist
[contentbox width=”500″ borderwidth=”1″ borderstyle=”dashed” bordercolor=”000000″ dropshadow=”0″ backgroundcolor=”F5F5F5″ radius=”0″]This is the first of a series of cutting edge tips from the field of Sport Psychology to help you reach peak performance, both as an individual athlete and as a team. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Dr. Jack at 1-800-497-9880 or email him on the contact page.[/contentbox]
One of the most positive and pro-active things a team can do is anticipate situations that could erode team chemistry. By putting possible conflicts, etc., on the table and practicing alternative reactions will go a long way toward preventing such erosion and will keep the team functioning as a well-oiled machine.
Developing Practice Scenarios:
Solicit from athletes (anonymously if possible) situations that could cause frustration and friction on the team and which they might have a tendency to react negatively. Example: A basketball team where two hot shot freshmen were recruited and now some junior or senior starters are concerned that they will lose their spot.
Exercise:
Split the team in half and have each group role play a scenario in front of the rest of the team. Example: Give the players the scenario above, as if it has happened already to their team. Have the group act out a negative response, followed by a positive response. Done correctly, this exercise will be fun and creative solutions will flow.
Allowing team members to come up with sample scenarios and then role play unhealthy reactions, followed by healthy reactions can go a long way toward building resilience to the inevitable frustrations they will face down the road.
You know the importance of training your muscles. But you should also know the importance of training your mind. It’s no secret that elite athletes like Tiger Woods, Ken Norton (who used hypnosis training before his famous victory where he broke Mohammad Ali’s jaw), and Nolan Ryan all used hypnosis to propel them to the next level. Check out Dr. Jack’s Core Sports Performance 2 CD set.
About the Author:
Dr. Jack Singer is a professional speaker, trainer and psychologist. He has been speaking for and training Fortune 1000 companies, associations, CEO’s and elite athletes for 34 years. Among the association conventions which Dr. Jack has keynoted are those which serve financial planners.
Dr. Jack is a frequent guest on CNN, MSNBC, FOX SPORTS and countless radio talk shows across the U.S. and Canada. He is the author of “The Teacher’s Ultimate Stress Mastery Guide,” and several series of hypnotic audio programs, some specifically for athletes and some for anyone wanting to raise their self-confidence and esteem. To learn more about Dr. Singer’s speaking and consulting services, please visit DrJackSinger.com and FunSpeaker.com or call him in the U.S. at (800) 497-9880.