It seems as though great sport performances are here one day and then gone the next. Coaches and athletes understand that there are some days where the team is playing on a high level but there are other days when the team can’t seem to put to the pieces together. In the professional leagues we have seen underdogs overcome insurmountable odds. But we have also seen all-star teams trip at the finish line unable to close out their opponent.
Physical
Coaches and athletes know very well that the team needs to be physically conditioned in order to put forth their best performance. The team has to be able to battle on every play. Each athlete needs that strength and endurance to not only keep up with the opponent but out compete them.
Since being physically strong is the most obvious component for great performances, coaches spend a significant amount of time and energy making sure the team is ready. As the competition level gets higher, there are even specific coaches dedicated to making sure that the team is in peak form. Some programs have more than one strength and conditioning coach, further highlighting the fact that it is an important aspect of great sport performance.
Technical
For athletes to have great performances they must understand the technical aspects of their sport. Coaches must teach athletes the proper technique and form not only for effective play but to ensure that the athlete does not get hurt in the process. For example, in football, athletes must know the proper technique to tackling. If athletes are tackling improperly, it’s highly likely that they will not make the tackle or get hurt in the process.
The technical aspect of sport is built upon physical conditioning. Once athletes have the strength and ability, they can fine tune their movements for increased performance. Technical form also receives a great deal of respect in the sporting world and as a result also has dedicated coaches for athletes. The position coaches are tasked with making sure the athletes playing a specific position are properly trained to handle their responsibilities. In football, there are offensive and defensive coaches. To break that down even further there can be quarterback coaches, linemen coaches, defensive back coaches, and so on. Understanding the technical parts of your sport are incredibly important for long-term success.
Tactical
Coaches are familiar with the tactical aspect of sport. Coaches are the ones designing plays, providing instruction to athletes, and implementing a game strategy. Strategy can be just as important as technical form and physical conditioning. Coaches and athletes need to know when to attack and push for offense, when to back off and focus on defense, and how to adapt when the game doesn’t go to plan.
It’s often coaches who focus on the tactical part of sport, they then instruct the team on how to move forward. The coaches trust their athletes have the physical and technical components down to follow the game plan. More often than not it is the head coach who puts the strategy into play.
Mental
The mental side of sport may not be as obvious as the first three. However, to have great performances athletes must have confidence. They must believe in their ability to get the job done. Sometimes athletes must overcome adversity and be resilient when they fall behind in a game. If you listen to post-game interviews, you will hear an athlete mention a mental component that led to their success. Athletes and coaches constantly talk about mindset as a key to success. See the quotes below for some examples.
It’s not common for a team to have a coach that has the responsibility of mentally training athletes. Most head, strength and conditioning, and position coaches just hope or assume athletes will develop mental strength while playing a sport. Unfortunately, many athletes don’t learn mental skills on their own. This may lead to them quitting sport early, experiencing potential injury, being unhappy, or poor performance.
Without mental skills coaching, athletes are leaving much room for improvement on the table. Mental skills training isn’t just for athletes who need help because they may be struggling. It’s for athletes who want to unlock a new level of performance.
While it’s not yet common to have a mental skills coach, the value is beginning to be recognized. The best athletes in the world are working with mental skills coaches. The United States Olympic Committee recognizes sport psychologists and mental skills coaches, and many teams have assigned coaches that work with the team year-round with the goal of improving performance.
Good news is it doesn’t have to be for just the best of the best. You can get a mental skills coach too! Click here to start your own mental skills coaching!
