Understanding Sports Psychology for Better Results
(Go Beyond Motivation!)
When you work with your students, how are you motivating them?
Do you consider they may have an “internal frame of reference” when it comes to their motivational strategies? This means they are motivated from “internal” points of reference.
If they had an “external frame of reference” for motivation, they would be motivated more based on what others think or say about their performance.
If you don’t know how to determine which is best, you may not be effective at motivating your student.
Have you ever spoken to your students about affirmations?
Affirmation
A positive statement of belief about ourselves. We write these statements to help us gain confidence in the choices we have made and to remind us that we are making progress. An affirmation is always written in the first person and in present tense (i.e. “I am in control of my emotional response to criticism at all times.”). We repeat these affirmations several times each day in order to make them an integral part of our thought process. After all, what do we have to lose by thinking positively about our abilities at all times?
Making simple “I AM” statements can be very powerful and improve performance.
Have you ever taught your students about anchoring?
Anchoring
Anchoring is a technique used to make a strategy automatic. The subject associates a small physical action with a particular mental thought process. This may be something simple, like touching the thumb to the middle finger. The physical action triggers our mind to begin a specific process, perhaps a relaxation technique.
You can anchor walking into the cage or ring or bowing into the mat area as a positive anchor you can associate with various positive feelings, emotions, and techniques.
When you learn more about sports psychology and implement these proven techniques with your students, you become a far more effective coach. And, your students and athletes will enjoy better outcomes from your coaching and training.
You can now gain extensive knowledge and a professional credential through our sister school, the Spencer Institute.
You will want to click over now and learn how simple it is right now to get started as a Certified Sports Psychology Coach.
If you are only skilled and credentialed in the physical aspect of martial arts and fitness, you are missing more than half of what makes an athlete/individual successful.
Thanks,
The MMACA Team
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