This mental preparation book is written in simple, clear, and understandable terms. It details a number of examples of proven strategies and steps that coaches can undertake to help their players be mentally prepared to play at their best.
Section I: UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING MENTALLY PREPARED TO PLAY
Chapter 1: Being Aware of Pressure and Stress in Athletes
Chapter 2: Being in the Zone
Chapter 3: Detailing the Role of the Coach
Section II: IDENTIFYING 12 STRATEGIES FOR GETTING MENTALLY PREPARED TO PLAY
Chapter 4: Strategy #1: Having a Positive Approach to the Game Before the Game
Chapter 5: Strategy #2: Setting Personal Goals to Help Motivate the Athlete Before the Game
Chapter 6: Strategy #3: Engaging in Positive Self-Talk Before and During the Game
Chapter 7: Strategy #4: Keeping the Same Pre-Game Routine Before the Game
Chapter 8: Strategy #5: Engaging in Visualization Before the Game
Chapter 9: Strategy #6: Doing Deep Breathing Before and During the Game
Chapter 10: Strategy #7: Relaxing the Muscles Before and During the Game
Chapter 11: Strategy #8: Engaging in Energizing Activities Before and During the Game
Chapter 12: Strategy #9: Doing Relaxation Exercises Before and During the Game
Chapter 13: Strategy #10: Displaying the Appropriate Body Language (Acting “As If”) Before and During the Game
Chapter 14: Strategy #11: Doing Focusing Strategies During the Game
Chapter 15: Strategy #12: Engaging in Self-Control Strategies During the Game
Section III: MAKING MENTAL PREPARATION A REALITY
Chapter 16: What Can Coaches Say About Practices to Help Their Players Get Mentally Ready?
Chapter 17: What Can Coaches Say About Coaching Styles and Philosophy to Help Their Players Get Mentally Ready to Play?
Chapter 18: What Can Coaches Say During Their Pre-Game Talk to Help Their Players Get Mentally Ready to Play: Reinforcing the 12 Mental Preparation Strategies?
Chapter 19: What Coaches Say About the Key 16 Behavior Goals to Help Their Players Get Mentally Ready to Play?
Chapter 20: How Coaches Can Use Self-Affirmations of the 16 Behavior Goals to Increase the Level of the Mental Preparation of Their Athletes
Chapter 21: How to Assess Mental Preparation of Athletes by Doing an Exercise Workbook to Grade Their Strengths and Weaknesses
Chapter 22: Exercise Workbook #2: Grading the Strengths and Weaknesses of an Athlete’s Behavior During a Game
Appendices
A: Summary of 16 Behavior Attributes When an Athlete Is in the “Zone”
B: Summary of 12 Mental Preparation Strategies for Getting Mentally Prepared to Play
C: A Worksheet for Athletes to Detail Their Personal Pre-Game Routine to Help Get Themselves Mentally Ready to Play
D: A Worksheet for Athletes to Detail Their Personal Answers Concerning What Self-Affirmations They Use to Reinforce Their Behavior During a Game
E: A List of Common Negative Self-Affirmations, Self-Talk, or Thoughts That an Athlete Should Avoid
F: A List of Negative Self-Affirmations That Are Used by Athletes Who Don’t Get Into the “Zone”
G: A List of Warm-Up Questions About an Athlete’s Behavior When Playing a Game
H: A List of Warm-Up Questions Concerning How an Athlete Handles the 12 Mental Preparation Strategies
