The Confidence Coach Sports Psychology Articles
On The Couch With Dr. Martin - 442's Sports Psychology Expert
The Confidence Coach's monthly football sports psychology article in 442 magazine. This article was written after Ade Akinbyi's short-lived debut for Burnley. It examines the psychology of preparation.
Ade Akinbyi
It's a raw winters night in East Lancashire and Burnley are entertaining high flying Sunderland. Attempting to reverse a first half Liam Lawrence goal, Burnley boss Steve Cotterill invites new signing Ade Akinbiyi off the bench for his debut. Two minutes and thirty eight seconds later Akinbiyi is making first use of the shower gel. His unprovoked attack on Black Cats defender George McCartney has earnt him a red card.
After the match Cotterill is unable to defend Akinbiyi's overwrought behaviour. But why did Ade behave like this? What was his psychology?
The big man was, in sports psychology parlance, 'over aroused'. In other words, he was too pumped up. The debutant, simmering with frustration. was trying too hard. Wanting to impress; to demonstrate that he was worth the fee; to prove that he could turn the game.
But the optimum state for peak performance is physically warm and mentally cool. Ade Akinbiyi was both mentally and physically overheated. So, what can be done to ensure that the desire to succeed is not undermined by over anxiety? This is the foundation of the work of a sports psychology expert.
The Right Mental Preparation...
There are many ways to prepare mentally for a game. One of the most effective is the use of visualisation. The purpose of imagery training is to build a well of mental strength that is powerful enough to overcome obstacles to success. Here are some thoughts on how to maximise your imagery training.
If you are new to imagery training then it is best to keep the session's short, no more than five or so minutes per day. Always start a visualisation session in a place where you won't be disturbed. Begin with a clear focus in your mind on what you want to achieve.
The Sports Psychology Imagery Session...
Start the process by closing your eyes and concentrate on a slow steady breathing rhythm. Remember, the best visualisations not only make use of imagery, but the sensations of feeling, seeing, hearing and tasting. Make sure that your imagery is positive.To keep the imagery sessions interesting create a new mental focus each day. For example:-
The Performance Review; Rerun the last game, focusing only on success moments, and revisiting those habits that you want to improve on.
The Performance Skills; Focus on your personal skills e.g. heading, penalty taking, tackling. Run through a specific high quality skills set.
The Greatest Hits: Create reviews of big game moments from the past e.g. International matches, hearing the national anthem being played, out foxing an experienced opponent, collecting trophies. The feeling is especially important here.
The Collective Strengths; Focus on the strengths of your team, individually and collectively, and how you contribute to the group ethic.
The Rehearsal: Focus on the next opponents and, specifically, any individual you may be up against and how you will get the upper hand.
Peak Performance; Play out the next game in your mind and the winning role you will perform in it.
The Sports Psychology Summary...
Adversity can make you want to give up. Or it can be the spur to demonstrate your true capability. Ade Akinbiyi has shown us before his desire to succeed in the face of negativity. As the song says, 'Nowhere to go but out, nowhere to come but back'.
Martin Perry: Confidence Coaching & Sports Psychology - 0044 (0) 77897 56425