Coaching vs The Anxiety Monster

Most of us have heard the line, "We have met the enemy, and the enemy is us."  Our staff is making a conscious effort to work with out players to conquer the anxiety monster.  Below are a few thoughts that we are working off of :

1. How do they react under pressure? Their core personality wants to take over under pressure.
2. Everyone deals with the anxiety monster.
3. The anxiety monster whispers different things to different people.
4. To be effective as coaches--we must deal with the anxiety monster and know what motivational buttons to push.
5. Part of the anxiety monster is to figure out how each player learns.
6. Can't always motivate the way we are motivated.
7. Understand that there is no "right or wrong" personality.  Everyone is wired differently.
8. Anxiety resides in one of two places--The Future or The Past

Mental Skill Development

We work in 3 areas of Skill Development for our players:
1.  Skill Sets (that are specific to on the court)
2.  Physical Sets (strength, agilities, quickness & conditioning)
3.  Mental Skills

We all talk about Mental Toughness.  We understand that it comes down to how players handle adversity and anxiety. Anxiety beyond butterflies is what gets a player.

First, we have to look at mental energy.  This is the ability to sustain thought.  To concentrate. Especially in something that they do not like.

Next, it's key to realize that one person's anxiety, may not be another's.

Muscle memory originates in the mind.