The Mental The Mental Skills That Make Skills That Make Good AthletesGood Athletes

GREAT!GREAT!

Dr. Robert Neff

Mental Training, Inc.

Dallas, Texas

His Father Went to Prison

Brother Died in Accident

He Was Put In Jail

Bad Temper

Then Something Changed…

Questions

• What happened to Vince Young during the summer before his sophomore year?

• What mental and emotional skills did he acquire that turned him from a good athlete to a great one

What Makes Good Athletes Great?

• Big Reason “Why”

• Clear Goals

• Leadership Skills

• Thought & Emotion Control

• Optimism & Persistence

Big Reason “Why”

• Why was Vince driven to play football?– Take care of his Mom and family– Felt God put him on earth to play football– To someday make his neighborhood safer

• Help your players find their reason WHY they play the game

Clear Goals

• Vince put up pictures of his dreams all around his room

• He was very specific about what he wanted to accomplish

• He refused to let others define him or limit his potential

• Have your players set and update goals

Leadership Skills

• Showed he trusted his teammates

• Lead by example (work ethic)

• Used high positive energy

• Teammates wanted to follow him

• Communicated well with his coaches

• Help your players practice leadership

“Leaders can be made”

Thought & Emotion Control

• Thoughts create emotions

• However, changing thoughts requires:– Awareness of negative thoughts– Knowledge of ideal thoughts– Desire to change– Practice changing

• Have your players memorize:

“The Emotion Wheel”

Optimism & Persistence

• Optimism is believing the future is positive

• In general, optimists internalize success and externalize failure

• Optimism leads to persistence (not giving up prematurely)

• Teach your players the value of optimism

So, What Happened During the Summer of 2000 that Changed

Vince Young?

Help & Guidance

• His uncle became a role model– showed him Michael Jordan responding to

hard fouls with class

• His mother – stopped using drugs and began taking the family to church

• Steve McNair told him at a football camp that he had talent

AND…

His H.S. football coach took an interest in him and encouraged him to get off the streets and

commit to athletics

Quick Review

• Remember the very valuable role you play as football coaches in the lives of your players

• Help them find their “Why”

• Teach them to set goals, control their emotions, and never quit

• Lead by example

Questions

• REMEMBER:– Get a Summary Sheet before you go– Enter to win 1of 10 “Roadmap to the Zone” e-Books

Dr. Robert Neff

Mental Training, Inc.

www.robertneff.com