How Can Our Minds Be So Powerful?

How Can Our Minds Be So Powerful?

Written By: Shaun Smith- Absolute Mental Training

Have you ever been sitting before a game and got that feeling that this is not going to be a good game? How often did these feelings come true? For most goalies and athletes for that matter these thoughts of failing or having a bad game become true. One example that I can think of when I played was in I was younger. Before a game against a particular team I told my teammates that this was the team that had hurt me at the starting of the season. Thoughts began to run through my head of getting hurt again and sure enough late in the first period a guy was tripped and fell into me and I hurt my knee.

So why does this happen? Why does a simple thought lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy? How can our minds be so powerful that we can determine the outcome of a game through our minds?

Many of us would like to be able to believe that training on the ice through repetition is what makes great goalies great and it can’t hurt. The ability to complete any given skill without thinking because of the muscle memory which is formed when we work on new skills is amazing. Yet, no matter how many repetitions of any given skill you complete in practice there is one thing that can break that cycle of movements. Your mind. Your mind is able to delay that reaction or all together make you forget that skill which you have been working on.

The mind is powerful beyond measures. The truth is that every movement, every reaction and every save that we need to make within a game must first be interpreted within our mind before the resulting action is completed. Think about the save process for a moment. You see that a player has just released the shot. By using your eyes you are able to tell where exactly that puck is headed (say glove hand). It is then up to your brain to tell the muscles in your glove hand and arm that it is time to move and in what direction to make the save possible. But if your mind has to be interrupted from the negative thoughts which you are having or if your mind believes that you should be a second slow because you are fighting the puck then the resulting action will not occur in time because we only have a fraction of a second to make the appropriate reaction to what we see.  

This is why negative thoughts before and during the game often always come true and why many goaltenders although great in practice fail to perform in games. As goaltenders then we need to work on improving our game through working on the mental side of the game so that we can be powerful beyond measures and there is no better time than today. Mental training is then not for the sick but for those who want to be the best.

The mind is the master of the body. Like it or not this is true. No matter what physically you think you can do because of brute strength we are limited by our minds. If we train and discipline our minds though, the body will follow. Once the body and mind become focused and in tune, you will see that your game will seem to flow; like you are in the zone. In other words, you will not be fighting with yourself and good things will just seem to happen for you.

Shaun Smith is the founder of Absolute Mental Training. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email him at ssmith@absolutementaltraining.com!

Ten Tips For Parents

Ten Tips For Parents

Written By: Shaun Smith- Absolute Mental Training

Parents often openly talk about what they “hope” their child can get out of their sport. This can range from playing at a very competitive level or my favourite “at least get a college scholarship.” I get that parents want what’s best for their children (I have two beautiful daughters who I would do anything for to see them succeed) but what sports parents do not realize is that talking about such high expectations may put undue pressure on a child to live up to their parental expectations

Statistically, the chances of your child being offered a college scholarship are slim to none. To state that you hope your child will get at least a college scholarship out of their sport puts a lot of pressure on your child to perform. Your child will not love and enjoy their sport but instead believe that they must be at their best to live up to your dreams. To make matters worse think about what will happen when your child doesn't get the recognition that you believe they deserve? Maybe they are one of the best athletes in their sport in your area and somehow they get missed by the scouts. Your child may develop feelings of inadequacy and may even want to drop out of their sport.

As we approach a new year I wanted to give each and every sport parent out there ten tips which we as parents should live by this coming year if want to allow sports to enrich our child’s lives. In my mind the following tips will help sports parents and coaches ensure that children experience positive feelings from engaging in sport and to help to create a physically active lifestyle that continues through adulthood.

Ten Tips For Sports Parents

1. Focus on your children's efforts and performances rather than the outcome of a competition: Teach your children that success means achieving their personal goals and performing at their best rather than winning a contest.
2. Help your children to set realistic goals that are measurable and attainable. Goals that are too vague or too difficult to achieve lead to a high dissatisfaction rate with their sport.
3. Make sure your children know that whether they win or lose, whether they play a lot or a little, you love them unconditionally. Give just as much praise for a loss as you do for a win.
4. Show respect for your children's coaching staff. If you're not happy with the coaching style or how they are handling things, discuss your concerns with the coach when you are alone with the coach. Don't coach your children from the sidelines.
5. Show support for your children's teams by attending games and cheering for all team members. Don't express criticism towards opponents or referees during competition.
6. Accept any limitations in your children's physical abilities. Not every child will be born with the uncanny ability of Michael Jordan to dunk a basketball or Wayne Gretzky to score 50 goals. Allow them to play within their skill level as they will have much more fun playing against a similar skill level.
7. Make sure your children are having fun. Ask your children if they are enjoying their participation in sports and want to continue or try something else? If they are not having fun try to find out why. If the problem cannot be solved try another sport.
8. Place your children in sports best suited to them rather than forcing your children into sports you prefer or that are most popular. If your child really enjoys playing badminton then let them play their sport. Nothing is worse than seeing children who hate their sport playing because their parents want them to.
9. Be careful not to relive your sport experiences exclusively through your children. Let them play for themselves, not for you.
10. Keep sport in perspective. Remember the purpose of sport for children is to create an opportunity for fun and growth. All the triumphs and heartaches that are inherent in sport for children can provide learning experiences and lessons that help pave the road to adulthood.

I would like to take this time to take a moment and thank all of you for taking the time to read my articles and wish everyone the best in 2012! To do this I have also provided you with some great offers which I will continue until the new year for all the Absolute Mental Training blog readers. To see what offers are in store please take a look at www.absolutementaltraining.com

Shaun Smith is the founder of Absolute Mental Training and provides The Goalie Guild with a weekly column that is posted every Tuesday. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email him at ssmith@absolutementaltraining.com!