Taking Advantage of Virtual Mental Training

How many hours per week are you physically engaged in practicing or training?

How many hours per week do you dedicate to mental training?

If you are like most athletes, you recognize the impact that mental factors have on performance, but you would probably admit that you do not put in a significant amount of time working on your mental game.

Why is mental training recognized as important but often neglected?

Athletes offer two main reasons for neglecting their mental game:

1. “With my busy training schedule, I don’t have the time.”
2. “I don’t have access to a Mental Game Coach or expert in the field.”

Both are valid points, but times are changing.  Due to the coronavirus, the world has been forced to adapt, adjust, and find new ways of communicating and increasing productivity. 

For example, virtual learning has been implemented to some degree throughout the educational system.  Doctors are meeting with patients via tele-health sessions.  Family and friends stay in touch through Zoom calls.  Even sports coaches have used online sources to train and communicate with their athletes.  

The common thread that runs through these examples is this… If you need or want something bad enough, you will find a way to get it.

Now more than ever, athletes need mental training to work through the stress that accompanies uncertainty and a disrupted training regimen.  Online options such as, Zoom calls, FaceTime and Skype provide easy access for all athletes to take on mental training.

In fact, mental training can drastically improve your game despite the loss of some physical practice and training sessions.  You now have the time to dedicate to mental training and easy access to a Mental Game Coach.

Online mental training sessions help to alleviate many logistical problems and personal preferences:

1. You no longer have to drive long distances to meet with a Mental Game Coach face-to-face.
2. You may feel more at ease opening up to a Mental Game Coach in the comfort of your home rather than in an office setting.
3. You can easily access mental training sessions from practically any location.
4. You may find online sessions more convenient and flexible with your schedule.
5. You can continue sessions even when your training regimen returns to normal. 
6. You can meet with your Mental Game Coach virtually while at competitions.
7. You have the option to continue working with your Mental Game Coach through high school, college and beyond. 
8. You can access training links with your Mental Game Coach in real time.  

With advances in video technology, you have just as much access to a Mental Game Coach as any top-level athlete.  It is up to you to take advantage of the resources available to you and take responsibility for your mental game.

Tardio Tip:  Advancing your Mental Game:

Take the first steps.  Contact a Mental Game Coach.  Start exploring how mental training can improve your performance.  

These trying times are a tremendous opportunity to develop yourself fully as an athlete and take your game to the next level.