Mental Toughness Training Examples
This training involves working with a sports psychologist or mental toughness coach to develop strategies for improving mental toughness. The training may include deep breathing, positive self-talk, and meditation.
Sample Visualization Exercises
Visualization Exercises (examples): These exercises involve athletes picturing themselves performing well in a competition. Visualization exercises help athletes develop mental toughness by building confidence and reducing anxiety.
Sample Competitive Drills
Competitive Drills: These drills pit athletes against each other in a competitive environment, where they must fight to win. For example, a soccer coach might set up a scrimmage where the athletes must compete against each other to score goals.
Sample Decision-Making Drills
These drills simulate game-like situations where athletes must make quick decisions under pressure. For example, a basketball coach might set up a drill where the athlete has to make a split-second decision on whether to shoot or pass the ball.
Sample Endurance Drills
Endurance Drills: These drills are designed to challenge an athlete's physical and mental endurance by pushing them to their limits. Examples include running intervals, swimming laps, or high-intensity cycling for extended periods.
Activity: Monster Draw
Monster Draw is a fun and engaging activity for participants to practice their communication skills and creativity. In this activity, two participants sit back to back, one describing a cartoon monster while the other draws it. This activity teaches the importance of clear communication and how it can affect the outcome of a task. Includes lesson plan.
Activity: Legacy Letters
Completing a season in a sport is something most people will remember for the rest of their lives. Like I mentioned before, a great culture is created by coaches, athletes, administrators, and parents who are intentional about the sport experience. Writing a Legacy Letter is an excellent way for an athlete to pass on the lessons and traditions learned while competing in something they love. We all want our seniors to graduate, but the culture and traditions they helped create should not graduate with them.
Activity: Skittles and Sprints
Forget all that noise. You can yell all you want, but true motivation comes from adding in competition. And if you are a parent, let's be real: you know the reality of the importance of bribing your child! Here is one way to get your athletes to increase their cardiovascular fitness at the end of practice and have fun while doing it!