Articles

I have written many articles for performance enhancement, mental and emotional skills training, managing stress and sports related topics. Each week, I will add new articles your general information. Your comments are welcome.

SPORTSMANSHIP AND PERFORMANCE

A good sport respects themselves, their opponents, officials and the rules and spirit of the game. These values and attitudes help them perform at their best during times of conflict and disagreement. Good sports men and women follow the code of “Winning with Honor” not “Win at any cost”. They consider that THEY could be mistaken about a close line call called out, and view their opponent as sometimes “missing” a call rather than seeking to “cheat” them out of a victory. When disagreements can’t be quickly and calmly resolved, they don’t resort to calling “names” but instead call an official.<more>

YOU CAN’T AFFORD A NEGATIVE THOUGHT

Negative thoughts lead to negative feelings, which in most cases, negatively impacts, on performance. Tennis is a game, which requires “feel”. To have optimal feel our body needs to be in the mild-moderate arousal zone. The tension in our hands, arms and legs needs to minimal so that we can react quickly and smoothly. Excess tension interferes with flow. Since we can only hold one thought in our mind at a time, negative thoughts distract us away from healthy thoughts and effective decision-making which are key to playing well.<more>

ARE YOU GETTING ALL THE ZZZ’S YOU NEED

Whether you are working with young athletes in a junior program, competing yourself or trying to do your best in your job or career, sleep is an important variable that should not be overlooked. <more>

MANAGING ON-COURT EMOTIONS

Tim Heckler’s article in the March ADDvantage coincided with my attendance at the Boy’s National 12 Championships. I too, observed the exaggerated efforts of the next wave of would-be champions to exhort them on to victory. Even more sad and obnoxious were the agonizing self-critical verbalizations and contorted facial expressions and gestures following an error or lost point. Their painful screams could be heard sometimes, 3 courts away. <more>

COPING WITH ADVERSITY

During the winter Olympics, in the women’s figure skating event, Sasha Cohen was the clear favorite to win the coveted gold medal, especially after Michelle Kwon pulled out last minute with an injury.

As she was warming up just minutes before her performance, Cohen missed a jump-turn and ended up falling on the ice. Clearly, not the last thing you want to finish with just moments before possibly your most important performance ever! <more>

HYPNOSIS: WHAT TO EXPECT

Hypnosis is a specialized treatment approach used in counseling and therapy to help people make changes and adjustments in how they think, feel and behave.

Hypnosis is a combination of relaxation and suggestion. When your body and mind are relaxed, you can focus more fully and are more receptive to making desired changes in how you think, feel and behave. <more>

COPING SKILLS FOR TENNIS PARENTS

Tennis parents, especially those of young children who actively compete in tournaments have great opportunities, challenges and responsibilities in managing their reactions to a number of issues and situations both on and off the court. The tennis parent often has multiple roles, which may include: driver, coach, teacher, friend, counselor, disciplinarian, hitting partner and sometimes, coach.

Sometimes, the lines get blurry and tensions may rise to unhealthy levels. <more>