Embedded Files
A Guide to
Developing Mental Strength in Athletes
GOAL
To provide a space where athletes can express their true selves through meaningful thoughts, feelings, & actions.
PURPOSE
When athletes express their true selves they become leaders who make a valuable contribution to their team and to society.
WHY DEVELOP MENTAL STRENGTH
Players spend more time away from the game than at the game.
Their thoughts, feelings, and actions away from the game determine their performance and their success.
Mental Strength allows athletes to control their thoughts, feelings, and actions in every situation.
EMBRACE THE PROCESS
The same way that consistent physical training builds strong physical skills, The Champion’s Journey builds mental skills and habits through scheduled routines and exercises.
The Champion’s Journey is a season-long interactive program that helps athletes uncover and unleash their inner greatness. With a focus on developing self-awareness, self-belief, and self-confidence athletes are able to become the best version of themselves and valuable members of their team.
FIVE MODULES
MODULE 1 - PLAYER ASSESSMENT
Determine mindset type and learning style
MODULE 2 - THE 5 PILLARS OF A CHAMPION
Discover what it takes to become a champion
MODULE 3 - CHAMPION'S TOOLBOX
Provide tools that develop a champion mindset
MODULE 4 - ROUTINES AND HABITS
Strengthen and maintain a champion mindset
MODULE 1
Player Assessment
Determine mindset type and learning style
This 2-part assessment helps the coach to determine whether an athlete has the attitude and the approach to become a champion.
Part 1 – Based on Carol Dweck’s mindset study. It determines whether an athlete has a growth mindset or a fixed mindset.
Part 2 – Identifies the athlete’s learning style, which influences the way they understand information and solve problems – Visual, Kinesthetic, Auditory.
MODULE 2
5 Pillars of a Champion
Discover what it takes to become a champion.
The 5 Pillars are the foundation of what makes a Champion. All exercises and routines are based on these Pillars, and allow athletes to build skills that uncover and unleash their inner greatness.
Each Pillar is explained in a series of videos. Following each video, an exercise is included to ensure the athlete understands what it takes to become a champion.
Introduction - Key Takeaways:
“Champions behave like champions before they’re champions: they have a winning standard of performance before they are winners.” – Bill Walsh
To become a champion you must:
think, feel, act like a champion.
The purpose of The Champion’s journey is to find and unleash your inner greatness; to become the best version of yourself, and a valuable member of your team.
Pillar 1: Self-Control – Key Takeaways:
Control the controllables – your attitude & your approach.
You are 100% responsible for choosing thoughts, feelings, and actions that help you become a champion.
E + R = O
Event + Response = Outcome
You don’t control what happens to you. (Event)
You don’t control the result or the future. (Outcome)
But you always have control of how you choose to approach the situation. (Response)
Pillar 2: Growth Mindset – Key Takeaways:
Champions choose to have a growth mindset over a fixed mindset.
A Fixed Mindset is the belief that skills, intellect, and talent are set and cannot be changed.
A Growth Mindset is the belief that skills, intellect, and talent can be developed through practice and perseverance. It’s a choice that you have the power to make.
Pillar 3: Above the Line – Key Takeaways:
Above the Line behavior is intentional and thoughtful. You think before you respond. It brings you closer to becoming a champion.
Below the Line behavior is impulsive, and controlled by old habits. You react without thinking. It prevents you from being a champion.
Champions recognize and avoid Below the Line behaviour, always focusing on living Above the Line.
Pillar 4: Goals & Values – Key Takeaways:
To become a champion you set goals and values that create a clear vision of:
WHAT you want to do,
WHY you want to do it,
HOW you will do it, and
WHO you are or want to become.
Champions review their goals and values every day to ensure they’re on the right track.
Pillar 5: Commitment – Key Takeaways:
Commitment means that you agree to dedicate your time and effort to the process. It means you are willing to take action, do whatever is necessary, and give up anything that doesn’t help you become the best version of yourself.
Commitment requires a belief in yourself and in your ability to achieve your goals.
You have to believe that you are good enough to be a champion before you can become one.
MODULE 3
Champion's Toolbox
Tools that develop a champion mindset.
Once the athletes know what it takes to be a champion they are given tools to help them develop Mental Skills and build Mental Strength that unleashes their inner greatness.
Similar to teaching physical skills, the exercises will be introduced one at a time. Practice the exercises regularly in order to develop strong habits.
POWER POSES
Boost confidence; increase feelings of strength; decrease feelings of stress and fear.
BREATHWORK
Change your breathing pattern to relax your muscles and your mind before a big competition.
SELF-TALK
Positive self-talk can focus your attention, and put you in the best mood for performance.
IMAGERY
Visualizing an outcome in your mind puts you several steps ahead of the competition.
GET SET / RESET TECHNIQUE
Combining all 4 exercises allows you to direct your focus on your desired results. Use this technique before, during, and after competition.
MODULE 4
Routines and Habits
Strengthen and maintain a champion mindset.
Mentally tough athletes are able to turn opportunities and challenges into desired results through desired performance. Habit-forming routines help athletes unleash their inner greatness, live Above the Line, and become champions.
Routines can be done on a computer or smartphone. Although all routines are recommended, coaches can choose which routines to assign based on age, level, and time.
Weekly or monthly check-ins with coaches will hold athletes accountable and ensure they are on track to become champions.
DAILY ROUTINES
GOOD MORNING
Time: Beginning the Day
Duration: 3-5 mins
Review Goals and Values
Get Set Technique
SELF-REFLECTION
Time: Ending the day
Duration: 2-5 mins
3x gratitude
3x small victories
GAME-DAY ROUTINES
PRE-GAME / PRACTICE
Routine 1 – In the Car
Review Goals and Values;
Controllables; Growth Mindset.
Routine 2 – In the Changeroom
Get Set Technique
DURING THE GAME
After every shift; Between periods
Get Set / Reset Technique;
Forget the last shift; focus on the next one.
POST-GAME / PRACTICE
Performance Check
Complete within 2 hours after the game. Preferably on the drive home (good way to prevent getting an earful from parents).
Google Sites
Report abuse