When do I need Mental Training?

When do I need mental training?

Are you planning to embark on a marathon or an Ironman triathlon challenge? Whether you're a novice or a seasoned runner, physical training is crucial to stay on track. However, it's important to recognize that mental preparation is just as vital.

Paradoxically, most of the time, athletes (or their parents, coaches, etc.) seek the assistance of mental coaches only when they experience defeat. However, defeat is not a final state but rather a gateway to self-awareness and progress, requiring persistence and change.

During such complex moments in an athlete's competitive journey, mental training can serve as the key to unlocking that door. It becomes a highly sensitive phase characterized by:

1. A series of inexplicable failures from the athlete's perspective, as well as perceived by their teammates.
2. Negative feedback regarding the athlete's mindset, such as difficulty concentrating or activating, experiencing relaxation when needed, or struggling to perform in the competition despite adequate technical, physical, and tactical training.
3. Lack of cohesion or communication within the team, be it in team sports or individual disciplines.
4. The emergence of conflicts, whether explicit or implicit, among athletes and coaches within the group.
5. Preparation before an important competition or event, aiming to arrive in a ready state by the deadline.
6. Managing competitive anxiety when facing a significant challenge.
7. Loss of self-confidence from the athlete's perspective.

These are the most common reasons why athletes seek mentoring support.

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However, mental training is also effective even when there isn't a specific "real" reason or following a defeat. It proves valuable during:

1. Transitional periods, whether physical or temporal, in an individual's career. This could involve moving to a high-level structure far from family, changing countries and potential mindsets, seeking support at the end of a career, or following a major victory or decisive defeat.
2. Coaching the athlete during an injury period, facilitating rehabilitation and recovery. Mental preparation helps athletes retain technical skills, gain perspective on the injury, set new goals, regain confidence in themselves and their physical abilities, and more.
3. Overcoming periods of demotivation, fatigue, or negative moods during sporting seasons. Prolonged psycho-physical stress can sometimes lead individuals to burnout, which is often overlooked or not taken seriously in environments where quantity is prioritized over quality. Mental coaching support helps assess and alleviate overtraining levels, acknowledging that each athlete reacts uniquely to stress based on various aspects of their life.
4. Accelerating tactical learning times by incorporating mental preparation techniques into training.
5. Integrating mental training into the overall season and long-term training periodization for teams and individual athletes.

The typical answer to the question "When?" is often "during times of defeat," while the answer to "Why?" commonly revolves around "to win."

In sports, preparation encompasses physical, technical, tactical, and mental aspects to achieve sporting objectives and develop autonomy. It's a journey and a process that teaches athletes about investment, hard work, determination, and strategies applicable to all aspects of life. Therefore, the true explanation of "why" is to "grow," extending beyond the realm of mere sporting practice. In conclusion, the answer to this question provides an essential asset necessary for high-performance sports. Now, I pose the same question to you... What is your WHY?

For more information about mental training, visit: https://mentalaccelerator.com/resource/keeping-your-cool/books-on-sports-psychology