HEADS UP
Being Mentally Prepared to Play Your Best Game

"If your head is not in the game before it begins, then you are already behind when the whistle blows."
                                                                                            Anthony B. Lanzillo



When you are watching a game, how often will you hear a coach yell out to one of his players "what were you thinking?" or "get your head back in the game!" Other times, you will hear that same coach tell another player that he is thinking too much and just needs to play his game. The coach is trying to help his players not make mistakes or miss opportunities to make a great play. The problem is that he is unintentionally confusing his players because they probably understand what the coach is saying but are still unsure of how to mentally approach their performance and get their heads into that game.

Either way, players like yourself, are going to be thinking and thinking throughout the game. The issue is whether or not your thoughts and mindset are elevating your performance or bringing it down. Being mentally prepared to play your best game is something that you should work on at every practice and training session. It's making a commitment to work on your mental conditioning and "building your mental muscles" every day of the season. You will develop the mental skills to play with greater concentration, composure and confidence.

Here are seven steps that you can take to get and keep your head in the game, and play with a presence of mind, sense of purpose, the right perspective, passion, poise and perseverance.


Honor Yourself
Acknowledge and celebrate your strengths.

Envison Yourself
Visualize how you want to play and perform.

Ask The Right Questions 
Ask questions about things you control and will put you in a positive and proactive mindset.

Deposit Your Positive Experiences
Hold onto your positive experiences in practice and games. and create a highlights film.

Serve The Greater Good 
Look for opportunities to use your talents and gifts to support your team.

Use What You Control 
Focus on what you control and make it work for you.  

Play On Purpose
Find the purpose to everything you do as an athlete.


If you would like more information on the HEADS UP approach to mental skills training, email me at risson1954@gmail.com.