The Mental Game of Nick Foles
Yesterday, in the Thursday, December 12th edition of the Philadelphia Daily News, John Murrow wrote an article about Eagles quarterback Nick Foles being placed on the cover of Sports Illustrated. In reading the article, you see how Foles has been mastering the mental aspect of playing football. He not only is focused on how best to serve his team but also has learned to focus on what's most important when he is on field. According to Murrow, Foles has been able to zone out the "noise from all the extra attention, accolades and honors", and simply focus on the game of football.
In my work with athletes, I have several mental skills which Nick Foles successfully utilizes as a professional athlete...
Circle of Control - Identifying and understanding the difference between what you control and don't control. To be a successful athlete, it is essential that you always focus only on what you do control: your attitude, your actions on and off the field, the time you put into practice, physical conditioning and studying game films.
Avoid The Minefields - An athlete has to be careful not to step on the mental minefields of complaining, blaming, doubting, resigning or questioning yourself or your teammates. Concentrate on what you want to accomplish and achieve to make yourself a better player, and focus on the positive and productive thoughts or images of what you are currently doing or capable of doing.
Tune In/Tune Out - As an athlete, you need to learn how to tune into those things that are beneficial and essential to your performance while, at the same time, tuning out whatever will distract you or take you away from your game. You tune into your strengths, what you control, positive thoughts, serving the team, the present moment, and learning from your mistakes. You tune out negative judgments about yourself, questionable calls from the officials, any frustrations from the previous play, and wondering who will win the game.
In my work with athletes, I have several mental skills which Nick Foles successfully utilizes as a professional athlete...
Circle of Control - Identifying and understanding the difference between what you control and don't control. To be a successful athlete, it is essential that you always focus only on what you do control: your attitude, your actions on and off the field, the time you put into practice, physical conditioning and studying game films.
Avoid The Minefields - An athlete has to be careful not to step on the mental minefields of complaining, blaming, doubting, resigning or questioning yourself or your teammates. Concentrate on what you want to accomplish and achieve to make yourself a better player, and focus on the positive and productive thoughts or images of what you are currently doing or capable of doing.
Tune In/Tune Out - As an athlete, you need to learn how to tune into those things that are beneficial and essential to your performance while, at the same time, tuning out whatever will distract you or take you away from your game. You tune into your strengths, what you control, positive thoughts, serving the team, the present moment, and learning from your mistakes. You tune out negative judgments about yourself, questionable calls from the officials, any frustrations from the previous play, and wondering who will win the game.
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