The Mental Muscle
"...mental training will not only enhance performance and improve productivity but also add to your enjoyment."
"Achieving inner excellence is a process. Building mental muscle, like building physical muscle, requires time and effort."
Gary Mack - Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence
How much time do you dedicate each day to your mental training? What are you doing today to build your mental muscle? When do you plan to develop your visualization skills or identify your goals for the coming week?
If you need some ideas on how to start your mental training or begin building your mental muscle, let me know. It can start with one simple mental skills tool or exercise.
Anthony Lanzillo
risson1954@gmail.com
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Thursday, November 13, 2014
"Take Five"
Here are the five affirmations or declarations that you take to each practice:
"I am (state two or three personal strengths or qualities)."
"I want (state your long-term and daily goals)."
"I see (visualize how you want to perform and compete)."
"I bring (think about past highlights and empowering experiences)."
"I control (state all the things that you have direct control over)."
By reviewing and reciting these affirmations or declarations everyday at practice, you are developing a stronger and sharper mindset that can only build your confidence and self-esteem.
Here are the five affirmations or declarations that you take to each practice:
"I am (state two or three personal strengths or qualities)."
"I want (state your long-term and daily goals)."
"I see (visualize how you want to perform and compete)."
"I bring (think about past highlights and empowering experiences)."
"I control (state all the things that you have direct control over)."
By reviewing and reciting these affirmations or declarations everyday at practice, you are developing a stronger and sharper mindset that can only build your confidence and self-esteem.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Are You Combat Ready?
"Mastery of fundamental skills leads to lethal projection of combat power."
Robert W. Cone
Battle Focused Training
"Given the importance of the moral dimension in war, the readiness of soldiers and units must include psychological preparation for combat....Soldiers must be prepared to make rapidly a psychological transition from peace to conflict, potentially without forewarning or indepth knowledge of the situation."
Robert W. Madden
Living on the Edge: Building Cohesion and the Will to Win by Robert W. Madden
Both quotes are from Leadership: The Warrior's Art by Christopher Kolenda, Editor
The one group of fundamental skills that are overlooked by many teams and coaches are the mental skills. And if these fundamental skills are not introduced or practiced on a regular basis, then how can a team or its players be "combat ready" for any game? How many times have we seen teams that appeared to be physically or athletically superior and yet still lose their games?
"Mastery of fundamental skills leads to lethal projection of combat power."
Robert W. Cone
Battle Focused Training
"Given the importance of the moral dimension in war, the readiness of soldiers and units must include psychological preparation for combat....Soldiers must be prepared to make rapidly a psychological transition from peace to conflict, potentially without forewarning or indepth knowledge of the situation."
Robert W. Madden
Living on the Edge: Building Cohesion and the Will to Win by Robert W. Madden
Both quotes are from Leadership: The Warrior's Art by Christopher Kolenda, Editor
The one group of fundamental skills that are overlooked by many teams and coaches are the mental skills. And if these fundamental skills are not introduced or practiced on a regular basis, then how can a team or its players be "combat ready" for any game? How many times have we seen teams that appeared to be physically or athletically superior and yet still lose their games?
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Look Good Or Play Better?
In his book, The Goldmine Effect, Rasmus Ankersen talks about his travels around the world looking for what he calls the "secrets" of high performance in sports. From the female golfers of South Korea to the sprinters of Jamaica, Ankersen is searching for what makes these athletes so successful. There was one question that he asked which really got me thinking about how athletes mentally approach their participation in a sport: "...do I want to look good, or do I want to get better?"
Think about it. If I am an athlete, and I am more concerned about looking good, then how will I approach my practices and games? First, I will probably hold back from trying anything new because I don't want to make a mistake. Next, I will experience more anxiety and stress because of this internal pressure that I am putting on myself. Third, I will be concerned and worried about things that I have no control over, like what the coaches and other players are seeing and thinking. And, maybe more importantly, I will definitely not be enjoying myself or having fun. So, actually, being more concerned about how I look is the recipe for disaster.
Focus on how you want to get better. Begin to set short-term goals for how you want to improve your physical conditioning, develop your athletic skills or elevate your mental preparation. Being more concerned about getting better puts you in a more productive and proactive state of mind. You will understand that learning something new to improve your game will involve making mistakes and mistakes are simply part of the learning process. Things outside of your control will not bother or frustrate you. Essentially, you will practice and play with more energy and enthusiasm.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
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.
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.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Do You Have Your "Act" Together?
Are You A High School Student-Athlete Who Wants To Play In College?
"...we want high character kids with the proper attitude to reach their potential on and off the court. Character/Attitude is a huge part of our evaluation process."
Josh Schartz - head men's basketball coach at Lincoln Memorial University (TN)
"Attitude and character are the main pieces of recruiting. I don't care how good a player you are, if you throw your stick or stand off from your team, I am done talking."
Frank Rogers - head women's lacrosse coach at Aquinas College (MI)
"College coaches want to see recruits who are mentally tough. They need players who can handle disappointment and frustration, who compete fearlessly. They don't care if you make a mistake, but they do care how you react to that mistake. They watch closely to see who can deal with negative feedback from a coach or referee. They watch how a player reacts to pressure during the final minutes - her shot selection, decision making and leadership - more than whether they make or miss a last-second shot. They pay attention to how a player treats her teammates in the midst of adversity. They see who plays to win, even when they lose."
Lindsey Wilson
"Character, how hard they play or how competitive they are become very important qualities for the young men we recruit to possess."
Dave Pietramala - head men's lacrosse coach at Johns Hopkins University (MD)
"I'm truly looking for talent, passion, attitude, a good person and a good student. Attitude is really important to me, as it is what we will have to deal with on a daily basis. The skills you only deal with on the field, but attitude encompasses everything. This is why it is critical to have student-athletes with quality attitudes."
Rudy Garbalosa - head men's baseball coach at Lynn University (FL)
"Attitude and skills level are extremely important to us, we want students who are positive on the court and bench...The ideal college recruit is a student who has great grades, is highly skilled, and a person of great character."
Bob Burchard - head men's basketball coach at Columbia College (MO)
Anthony (Tone) Lanzillo
risson1954@gmail.com
Are You A High School Student-Athlete Who Wants To Play In College?
"...we want high character kids with the proper attitude to reach their potential on and off the court. Character/Attitude is a huge part of our evaluation process."
Josh Schartz - head men's basketball coach at Lincoln Memorial University (TN)
"Attitude and character are the main pieces of recruiting. I don't care how good a player you are, if you throw your stick or stand off from your team, I am done talking."
Frank Rogers - head women's lacrosse coach at Aquinas College (MI)
"College coaches want to see recruits who are mentally tough. They need players who can handle disappointment and frustration, who compete fearlessly. They don't care if you make a mistake, but they do care how you react to that mistake. They watch closely to see who can deal with negative feedback from a coach or referee. They watch how a player reacts to pressure during the final minutes - her shot selection, decision making and leadership - more than whether they make or miss a last-second shot. They pay attention to how a player treats her teammates in the midst of adversity. They see who plays to win, even when they lose."
Lindsey Wilson
"Character, how hard they play or how competitive they are become very important qualities for the young men we recruit to possess."
Dave Pietramala - head men's lacrosse coach at Johns Hopkins University (MD)
"I'm truly looking for talent, passion, attitude, a good person and a good student. Attitude is really important to me, as it is what we will have to deal with on a daily basis. The skills you only deal with on the field, but attitude encompasses everything. This is why it is critical to have student-athletes with quality attitudes."
Rudy Garbalosa - head men's baseball coach at Lynn University (FL)
"Attitude and skills level are extremely important to us, we want students who are positive on the court and bench...The ideal college recruit is a student who has great grades, is highly skilled, and a person of great character."
Bob Burchard - head men's basketball coach at Columbia College (MO)
If you are a high school student-athlete who wants to play at the collegiate level, do you have your "act" together? Do you have the right attitude, character and mental toughness that every college coach is looking for in a high school student-athlete? Are you mentally prepared to meet any challenge or test that you may face so that you can excel in the classroom and on the field or court?
If you would like to figure out how to get your "act" together and prepare yourself for collegiate sports, drop me an email. We can design a mental assessment and see what aspects of your mental game you need to work on. Then we can develop a mental conditioning program to build and strengthen your attitude, character and mental toughness.
A (attitude) + C (character) + T (mental toughness) = the competitive formula for success in college sports.
Anthony (Tone) Lanzillo
risson1954@gmail.com
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