The 3-D Mindset

If you want to take a "multi-dimensional approach" to being mentally prepared to play your best game, then your thinking must be deliberate, disciplined and decisive. It's all about knowing what you want, keeping your focus on what you want, and following through to get what you want...at any given moment of the game. The success of every decision that you make in any game-time situation will be based upon your ability to play with the "3-D Mindset".   

Being deliberate is based upon understanding your role and responsibilities for the position you are playing with your team, and in particular, being clear about your intentions of what you want to achieve or accomplish  in the present moment. If I am playing center field for my baseball team, and there is a man on second with one out, then I know that I have to cover my ground to hopefully catch a fly ball and throw to second to keep that runner on second. Or if the ball is on the ground, then I need to get that ball and deliver it to third to keep that runner from scoring. Likewise, if I am up to bat and I have a teammate on first with no outs, then I may want to lay down a bunt and get my teammate to second. Being deliberate is taking what the game is giving you and identifying your best options or opportunities to make a positive impact for your team in that game.

Being disciplined is all about keeping your mind in the present moment, and knowing how to tune out any visual or verbal distraction that may prevent you from achieving or accomplishing what you plan to do. If I am playing defensive middie on a man-down unit with my lacrosse team, and I can hear the coach from the other team telling one of his players to take the ball and cut around me because I can't stop him, then I must block that comment out and concentrate on keeping that player from being able to shoot on goal. Or I am in transition and bringing the ball down the field, and the player from the other team who is trying to defend me starts to verbally taunt me and yells out that I have no chance to getting by him. I don't even hear this player because I am focused on watching his eyes, his hips, the movement of his stick and how he is holding stick. I will only focus on what I control, and what I control at this very moment are my eyes, my hands, my stick, my feet and how I decide to defend this player.

Being decisive is making a split-second decision and making a specific move or maneuver based upon what I see happening and what opportunity may be available for me. As the defensive middie, I can distract the offensive player with the ball or disrupt the focus or attention of this player with my voice, body or stick. Then I may have the opportunity to disarm this player by getting the ball out of his stick, on the ground and pick up this ball to begin a transition to the other end of the field. As the centerfielder on the baseball team, I could get myself into position to catch the fly ball and be prepared to rifle that ball to second base to get that runner from advancing. Or as the batter, I see the ball coming in a little high, and I get ready to bunt that ball down and in between the pitcher and first baseman.    

THE MENTAL PEAK

PLAYING YOUR GAME AT A HIGHER LEVEL

  

Play With Clarity
Create a clear vision and image of what you want to achieve or accomplish, and where you want to be in the future. 

Identify your goals for this season, this month, this week, and today.

Know the purpose of everything you do at practices and trainings.

Acknowledge your personal strengths and how these strengths can serve the needs of the team.  

 

Play With Concentration
Learn how to focus and give your undivided attention.

Keep your mind in the present moment.

Identify what you control in a game.

Know how to tune out distractions.

Break down the game into smaller time segments. 

 

Play With Composure
Choose a verbal or visual cue that will keep you steady and help you refocus when there is a challenging moment in a game.

Find the lesson or teaching moment in every mistake you make.

Identify everything that you are grateful for and say "thank you".

Refrain from complaining or blaming.

Smile.

 

Play With Confidence
Practice visualizing how you want to play in a game. In your mind, take yourself through every step or move for each maneuver or play. Use all of your senses, including self-talk, in developing this picture of your performance.

Ask questions that put you in positive, productive and proactive state of mind. Only ask questions about things that you have direct control over.

Act like a champion - on and off the field or court.
 

Play With Character

 Play big and believe in greatness.

To play big is to think big. To think big is to see the big picture.Seeing the big picture is being able to see everything that your team needs to succeed, and using your talents and gifts to support your team's success.

To believe in greatness is to believe in the potential and power of any moment. To believe that at any moment, at a practice or in a game, you will have the opportunity to help your team succeed and be great. Your team's success depends upon your desire and determination to step up, seize the moment and serve the greater good.
 

Play With Courage

Remember why you love this sport and the joy you get out of playing this game. 

 

Produce a highlights film in your mind of all the positive and meaningful experiences from being a part of this sport.

 

Create a compelling story about yourself: how you got into the sport, all the challenges that you have faced and successfully risen above, how playing the game has made you a stronger person and athlete, and what you want to contribute to the sport and your team.