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Jan
06

Sports Psychology – strength coach for the brain?

I am brainstorming an article and would like your help.  Please send me your answers and thoughts.

1) How have you worked out non-athletic problems with your team or player?

2) Have you employed the services of a Sports Psychologist?

3) What kind of situations have or would you use their services?

4) Situational question, ” You have player that has a season ending injury, what is your responsiblity during their recovery?  What are the issues you foresee for the athlete and rest of your team?

5) Do you see a Sports Psychologist as part of your staff now or in the future and why?

Springfield College’s Triangle magazine has a great article on Don Kalkstein who has worked with a number of teams, he calls himself a “strength coach for the brain”  Would you welcome someone like him onto your staff.  Check the article out here.

6 comments

  1. BetterCoaching says:

    Sports psychology or more simply mental preparation/skills are one of the three things I point to when someone asks me what makes a great athlete. The other two being nutrition and strength & conditioning.

    Teaching athletes how to control their emotions so they can stay in the right part of the arousal zone, visualize sport actions, and set process goals are key for any athlete looking to achieve their potential. You can be playing against someone of equal talent but if they cannot handle adversity or remain positive, they can be beaten.

    To incorporate simple mental skills for sport training does not require a sport psychologist. Any decent coach can learn the basics.

    1. Paul McCaffrey says:

      I would agree to a point. But we maybe talking about apples and oranges. There are many different types of practices. I may be talking more about mental health than performance.

      What about having access to a Sports Psychologist? I am finding them working with athletes, schools and coaches on sports injuries. I have found that some athletes find it very important to stay connected to their team during their recovery and coaches are turning them away with “I don’t want you here”

      The routine of going to practice, team meetings and games even while injured I would argue is important not only for the coach to maintain continuity but for the athlete’s piece of mind and self esteem.

      A severe injury that maybe season ending is devastating but to be turned away from being part of the team is a double whammy to anyone. The physical pain of the injury and then to add the lost of self esteem associated with being part of a team could be crippling, how does a coach know how to handle the range and depth of emotions?

      There are also those that work with the school administration to recognize the injury and provide accomdiates. A head injury, may not outwardly appear as an injury like a broken leg. But the Centers for Diease Control recommends weeks of mental and physical rest, reduced academic load, more time for tests, reduced work load.

      The separation of a player from his/her team threatens, real or percieve, a lost of community that a player has built. With a head injury there is a real chance of depression. The lack of exercise also reduces the production of endorphines, isolation, potential to abuse medication which could lead to depression.

      Coaches, parents, players, school administrators and school nurse can monitor but who can the player turn to to discuss his/her feelings without worry about how they are percieved.

      Although I don’t see sports psychologists standing next to the high school athletic trainer or on the youth sports field, would it not be great if every player had the access?

  2. Pete Mittell says:

    I don’t think that I would employ one for my men’s softball team, although at some points in the season I think someone needs a “brain tune up”, either them or me. In all seriousness it is my opinion that mental health is just as important as physical health to compete to the best of your ability. If I ran a major program I definitely would employ a Sports Psychologist.

    1. Paul McCaffrey says:

      Thanks,

  3. Kevin Hallinan says:

    Paul -

    Interesting concept, thanks for the inclusion. My thoughts (volunteer coach, Pop Warner, kids aged 7 – 15):

    1) At the Pop Warner level, we occasionally deal with non-athletic problems. It might be a player or cheerleader doing badly in school, or getting into trouble at school or home. I had a 9 yr old this season whose mom kept him out of a key game because he stole money from her purse. I wanted very much to talk her into letting him play, but instead supported her decision in the interest of his personal growth. The mom asked me to speak with the player since he listens to me, and I made sure he understood that what he did was wrong, and disrespectful to his mom above all else. I helped him understand also that he had let his teammates and coaches down and that seemed to resonate with him. He was receptive and it seemed like I got through to him. We ended up losing the game and that was a bummer, but it was the right thing to do.

    2) No – not really applicable due to our age group.

    3) N/A

    4) In the event of a season ending injury (we have had a few), I believe it is the coaches responsibility to stay in touch and check on the player’s progress (both in the interests of the player and the team). The communication shows the coaches concern and can/should encourage the injured player – letting him know he still has a spot or at least a solid opportunity to earn one/his back. Also, it’s just good coaching to keep a good relationship with your players. As far as issues forseen, it seems to me that I could “lose” the player (both mentally and physically/practically) by not staying in touch.

    5) No – not applicable to the age group

    Hope this helps, and best of luck!

    1. Paul McCaffrey says:

      Kevin, I appreciate your comments. I think that you are on the right track.

      In your own practice with adults and companies do you think that companies should have access to an industrial Psychologist for performance and mental health consultation. I think that your answer would be yes, take that down to Pop Warner is it that much different? If a Phd student, wanted to intern or lead some trainings would you and Jon avail Pop Warner of his/her services.

      It is easier to help a child, than fix a broken adult.

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