Becoming an All American Athlete

This Winter collegiate athletic season is finished, and I had the pleasure to work with two athletes who achieved All-American status. Either through a selection process or NCAA tournament finish, these athletes attained a most impressive athletic designation. They were able to separate themselves, along with a small number of other competitors, as exceptional among thousands of others in their sport. So what qualities did these individuals possess which lead to their great achievement. Was it some terrific application of mental skills which were developed, reveiwed and practiced endlessly a la the deliberate practice paradigm? Did they have exceptional genetic physical abilities which allowed them to surpass their competitors? Was the coaching they recieved at a different level and quality which allowed them to out perform others? Was the quality of their team and its communication and esprit d'corp unusually good? Was there approach to practice, training and competition somehow more consistent,effortful and productive? I'd have to say all the above were true. It is frequently a human desire to become reductionistic and apply occaam's razor wherever possible. The factors leading to an athletes designation as outstanding among their comparable talent group is multi-determined. At an intuitive level, my first reaction when describing these athletes is to highlight the level of their "drive to achieve". The dimension of "drive to achieve" is not a unitary dimension and encompasses many factors. Futhermore, it is likely different from athlete to athelte. Drive is analogous to such terms as self-esteem, toughness, and resilience. They are comprised of multiple psychological elements and can differ from person to person in the levels of each factor. A lower level on one factor in one athlete can be countered by another factor with a different athlete leading to both having relatively equal levels of "drive". Whether athlete, coach or sport psychologist the means by which one attempts to increase the "drive to achieve" requires a thorough understanding of the athlete across dimensions of self-image, self-esteem, motivations for achievement, capacity to maintain focus and concentration, genetics, life cycle and developmental factors, problem-solving abilites and more. So remember, increasing one's "drive to achieve" is not done through a simple acquisition of a skill or enhancement of one aspect of our psychological functioning. It is multi-determined and unique to each athlete.

Reyes NL Batting Champ:Does it matter how you win?

On the final day of the 2011 baseball regular season, the Mets Jose Reyes got a bunt single to win the NL batting championship over Ryan Braun. That was the only at bat for Reyes as he took himself out of the game after his successful bunt hit. Braun had to go 3 for 4 to overtake Reyes and he managed 0 for 4. The sports dilemma in this situation is the decision by Reyes to stop playing the game in order to increase his chances of winning the batting title. Sure, the Mets were playing for nothing other then self-respect, love of the game, competitiveness and providing a product fans paid to see. However, Reyes stopped playing for...to ensure he won a batting title rather then risk it by playing out the game. It is a valuable exercise to discuss the Reyes decision on moral grounds and its relation to the value and meaning of sport competition.Reyes made the choice that quitting was preferrable to the risk of losing the title to another player out hitting him the last day. Part of what made Ted Williams a sport legend was his batting in a double header the final day of the season when he was already assured of batting .400. Willians is quoted as saying, "if I can't hit .400 all the way, I don't deserve it." Williams went 6 for 8 that day and is the last player to ever hit .400. What was Reyes saying by quitting while he was ahead? Was it smart business and lousy sport ethics. Might carrying a batting crown into his off season contract negotiations make him a few more million dollars. I don't think Jim Valvano's famous quote, "don't give up, don't ever give up" was ringing in Reyes' ear. Now, Reyes didn't cheat or lie but he cut a corner. Is that what we hope sport will teach our children. Win, no matter how you do it, even if its within the rules! Now certain athletes don't have to take all their attempts at their sport if they feel they've done their best. This is the case with pole vaulters who can pass on final attempts if they feel they've posted a winning vault. This is different then quitting in a baseball game, as the game is organized to complete the 9 innings, not quit after 4 if you've scored what you think is enough to win and then let the other guys hit for 15 more outs. The Reyes decision leaves a blemish on the NL batting title in that the winner didn't have the trust in himself and the moral character to say, "if I can't win it by playing it out, I don't deserve it." Williams truly earned his accomplishment,did Reyes?

Tiger Woods Masters Return: Sport Psychology and life disconnection

Tiger must be a combination of very inwardly focused, yet change his behavior in visible ways toward the fans. The very behavior which he relied on to achieve success had isolated him from fans, media and the general public. He was criticized for his aloofness and detachment. However, in his mia culpa press conference he stated a desire to change his level of "respect" for the game. Club throwing and cursing would be reduced, but also his emotional unavailability to others needed alteration. Increasing his emotional availability and being more "connected" with his fan base and media shows a respect for those who watch and promote his performance. Not to mention, fans and media allow him the fame and fortune his golf prowess garners. The problem Tiger faces is very difficult due to the extreme disconnect from himself which lead to his personal and professional life crisis. Tiger experienced a crisis of "disconnection" in which his personal emotional needs became disconnected from his conscious, logical and evaluative mental side. Before the revelations of Tiger's sexual activity, if asked whether his behavior could endanger his marriage, career, children's emotional wellbeing, and financial earning power if publicized, he would have said "yes". If Tiger was asked if he would want a disclosure of his actions, he would surely have said "no". The key question, and then the evidence of the disconnect, would be asking him "so why are you engaging in such high risk, career and marriage threatening behavior"(not to mention, the report by one of the porn star lovers was that he avoided practicing safe sex). His likely response would have been some illogical rationalization which belied the severity and risk of his actions. The out of control disconnection between high risk actions and its known consequences is a sign of significant emotional dysfunction. Now Tiger must get back to playing at a high level, stay very internally focused to perform well, yet become more connected with himself, his fans, and the public via the media. A gargantuan task. I beleive matters can go two ways for Tiger. One is, he struggles to integrate the complex emotions leading to his high risk behaviors and therefore his golf game struggles. The other possibility is that, although only in treatment for a relatively brief period at this time, he experiences great relief and calm as his emotional needs are better known and met by his actions off the golf course leading to a return to #1 in the world form. Time will tell and all we can hope for is that the best connection Tiger makes is with himself, which should lead to great connection between his clubs and the ball.

Jets Great Season! Ending with a Loss

So how do you assist an athlete to integrate the experience of training and competing for almost 7 months, making your conference championship, beating all the odds and naysayers predictions but losing one step before the world championship game? The solution is understanding that we are mentally and emotionally complicated and that grief and exhilaration or euphoria and dejection can coexist. The mistake often made by well intentioned consoling efforts, when a crestfallen athlete's terrific accomplishments fall short of the ultimate goal, is the attempt at cheering up or encouraging to look at the "bright side". Unfortunately, this attempt to change the athlete's dejected and saddened emotional state can actually create more misery. The athlete is aware they worked hard, practiced well and achieved much. Regardless, they are stung by the failure to reach a striven for goal. There is a necessary period of mourning-like sadness which must take a natural process over time to dissipate. Truely helpful responses resonate with the athlete's disappointment, possible regrets, self-questioning, and even possible guilt feelings. The reaction of the athlete does not have to make logical sense or seem reasonable given the tremendous accomplishment ending in defeat or failure to attain the goal. Empathy for and validation of the athletes tragic loss must be cleary expressed. Nothing feels so right to the athlete then when they are joined in an emotional connection at a time of agonizing failure. Remember, truly being with a person as they suffer, and not trying to make them change, can be the greatest gift of caring and kindness.