Sports Psychology Can Help Athletes

By Jeff Gero, Ph.D.

The psychology of enhancing sports ability is very simple.

What thoughts are getting in the way of your success and what thoughts and mental techniques will achieve your desired optimal performance?

It’s extremely important to have a picture in your mind of what you want to accomplish. The athlete must see and believe in his or her ability to achieve a goal. Once the mind can accept something, it becomes more easily achievable.

Retired basketball superstar Michael Jordan has stated that before a game he mentally prepared himself 50 percent of the time and practiced 50 percent of the time. How many kids or amateur athletes are that committed to their own personal excellence? If they learn and practice the secrets of mental training, they will achieve extraordinary results.

Unfortunately, many athletes don’t have access to a sports enhancement coach or even know what to do. Unfortunately, most coaches don’t know about or place importance on sports psychology.

The principal reasons for poor performance occur when the athlete tries too hard, worries about past mistakes, becomes overly concerned, loses confidence or becomes too excited.

The best performance occurs when the athlete is relaxed, natural and spontaneous. There’s an optimal mental state that enhances sports abilities.

This mental awareness is often referred to as "the zone."

For most athletes, relaxation and meditation techniques will help them enter and stay "in the zone." In this zone the athlete has a mind set where he or she expects success, is confident, relaxed and focused. The more they practice, the easier it becomes to recall.

We are just beginning to explore the limitless potential and results of using the mind to enhance sports ability.

Dr. Gero also works with individuals to help improve their sports skills. Call (818) 879-1373 for more information.