Athletic Strength

Athletic Strength

Strength is Life,

Strength is life

You never conquer the mountain, you only conquer yourself."

â€”Jim Whitaker,
Mountaineer,

Athletes of all skill level are always trying to reach peak play; itâ€™s what athletes do. Itâ€™s why we spend countless hours training and getting in better shape.

Players of all levels attempt to reproduce that infamous level known as â€˜the zoneâ€™ by recreating their pre-game routines. Some athletes are known to do some pretty funky things like wearing the same socks for a week, or, worse yet, the same underwear. As funny as it may seem it works because they make it a habit in an attempt to achieve peak mental strength.

Most athletes know that competing has something to do with the mind but the majority do not know to what extent. Many athletes think that mental strength just randomly happens, as if at any given moment you either have it or you donâ€™t. Why then do competitors of lower athletic ability frequently compete at a higher level than those of superior athletic ability?

Superstar football athletes Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders create a ritual as they line up their clothes before their games.

While creating a pre-game routine may be helpful to the athlete in some cases, but it really has nothing to do with the outcome of their performance. Simply because the routine performed does not necessarily mean that success is guaranteed. Staying relaxed during performance is the real test.

Here are 6 steps that you can apply today to achieve better mental performance
1. Set specific training and competition goals â€“ Get a 3x5 card and write down 10 training objectives that you would like to reach. Then put a date next to each one. List them in order of importance. For example, "To lose 10 pounds of fat by December 1, 2000."
2. Accept 100% responsibility for your actions and attitudes â€” Understand that you are where you are and what you are because of you.
3. Improve upon your basic skills â€” Practice, practice, and practice. Focus on correct form, strategies, and performing the â€˜basicsâ€™ that will lead you to better results.
4. Use mental affirmations. A singular, positive, present tense statement stated with emotion.
Example: "I totally enjoy setting and reaching my training goals!"

5. Use mental visualizations. Create a mental movie in your mind of yourself achieving your goals (exactly to the detail). In this example, you would create a picture of you new, lean, muscular body. And you would imagine the feelings that are created when you have achieved your goal of dropping 10 pounds of bodyfat. Your mind responds best to details, rather than muddy generalities, so be sure to focus ion the details.

6. Act as if it were impossible to fail under the guidance of a personal trainer or good coach, as if there is nothing that can keep you from obtaining your goal.

"To become a champion you must first look and act like a champion!"
â€”Muhammad Ali