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Most teams have experienced playing in hostile environments, where fans can be aggressive, calls unfavourable and opponents trying to get into your head. There is one intention when playing against these rival teams and it is to derail you, to rattle you and disrupt your level of play. If they did not see you as a threat, there would be no need for them to seek an edge through intimidation. Rivalry is an essential element of sport. When challenged, teams can rise up and play beyond what they thought were possible. Performing strong in tough environments demands physical and mental preparation. With the right headspace teams can maintain their focus, stick to their game plan and rise up in the face of challenge. Tips for overcoming pressure and playing in hostile environments: 1. Present Focus: it is critical for high performing athletes to maintain present focus. Be in the present moment, right here, right now. In this mindset, fear and stress dissolve. Practice being in the present moment with breath work, meditation and mindfulness. Know that you are not your thoughts nor the voice in your head. When you are in the present moment, the noise from the crowds and biased referring dissolves. 2. Quality of Focus: Consider what you chose to focus on affects your experience and state of mind. We are in complete control of our mindset and perspective. Rather than focusing on the noise or the yelling of the crowds, chose to focus on that which gives you power and allows you to play your best game. Chose rather to focus on your process or your love of the game or any aspect of the sport that puts you in a positive frame of mind. 3. Visualization: Mentally rehearse the upcoming game. Imagine the tough environment, hear the loud noises, see yourself sticking to your game plan and being successful. By mentally rehearsing beforehand you will walk onto the field as a confident athlete who is focused and prepared. 4. Duplicate Scenarios: Talk about what you will be facing. If it is loud noise, then create this in training so adaptation occurs. Practicing in adverse situations will condition the athlete’s mind. Reframe Crowd Noise: Embrace it. Use it as a motivator and interpret it as they are cheering for you. Reframe the noise in a way that empowers you. Be mindful of your thoughts and how they impact your performance. Look for opportunities to reframe, be positive and have a perspective that makes you a stronger athlete. As Winston Churchill said, “Mind management is the essence of life.”
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Join our 28-day Meditation Challenge...starting Feb. 1 2017.
You do not need to know how to meditate, all you need is an open mind and 10 min. a day. Discover what unfolds for you during this journey. For a new habit to become crystallized, one needs to perform the activity for 21 days in a row. The only way to install a new habit is to direct so much energy to it that the old one slips away. So, just to cover our bases we will do 28 days. Please check our FB page for more details and inspirations. Sport Psychologists agree that consistent meditation allows athletes to focus better, handle pressure in a more positive way, quiet the mind and perform better. Former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has said that he used to meditate every day and before each game. The NFL star even went on to teach a class on meditation at Florida's Nova Southeastern University. "This is my passion," Williams told NBC Miami. In 2009, Lakers shooting guard and NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant told Conan O'Brien that he meditated with the team, led by coach Phil Jackson, before big games. Sports psychologist and meditation teacher George Mumford worked extensively with the Chicago Bulls while Jordan was the team's star player, helping them to sharpen focus through a regular meditation practice. "When we are in the moment and absorbed with the activity, we play our best," Mumford told Mindful magazine. "Meditating consistently over a period of time can offer a steady stream of small victories: the ability to eat and sleep better, lift more, run longer, zone out competition and get done what you have to get done. Over time, these little wins translate into massive achievements. Just ask Lebron." Charlie Ambler. Check out Headspace.com and learn how meditation will give you the edge you are looking for. Download the Headspace App for free to get you started on your Meditation Journey. We look forward to seeing you in February. Got any questions, email us at [email protected] Watch Michelle's interview with Dr JoAnn Dahlkoetter discussing Sport Psychology Coaching and the certification program. www.sportspsychologycertification.com Michelle Newton is a contributor to North Shore News
Game-day nutrition planning can contribute to better results. Spring training is well underway for many teams and athletes on the North Shore. Having trained hard through the winter months, they're strong and their skills are developed, but have they considered their nutrition requirements and how these will affect their game? Too often I've seen athletes run out of steam or teams fade in the last minute of games due to improper hydration or nutrition, an occurrence that can 0be avoided. When followed, a game-day nutrition plan will elevate athletes' performance and provide them with enough fuel to finish the game strong. Whether you're an endurance athlete or a sprinter, the same rules apply: the muscles require proper fuel to fire properly and get the job done. Without the right balance, athletes can't perform at their peak level. A few simple rules apply in sport nutrition, and when implemented will leave athletes energized, stronger than their competition and able to recover quickly for their next event. Read the full article at: http://www.nsnews.com/living/health-wellness/power-your-performance-1.1800763#sthash.Jb7JRMjJ.dpuf Michelle Newton is a contributor in Impact Magazine
Turn performance anxiety into positive energy Do you perform well during training or practice but choke in competition? Pre-race jitters are common among athletes. Whether you are a newcomer to your sport or a seasoned veteran, this phenomenon can get the better of you. Sometimes referred to as choking, it will inevitably diminish your ability to perform at your best. Athletes choke on game day because they have an audience or they have extremely high expectations of their success. The way in which the athlete talks to them self and how they interpret their situation will either add to, or reduce, their anxiety. Read the Full Article in Impact Magazine by Michelle Newton The skill of setting a positive image can boost surfing performance. Kelly Slater sees himself doing it right, before dropping in. This is not just a skill for pro surfers but can be used for any sport and will very quickly up your game. The process is simple; the athlete thinks about the move they want to do, they then break it down into chunks, see the sequence of events unfolding in their mind and once it comes time to perform the move, the body knows what to do. The same process can be used to overcome fears and limiting beliefs. The science behind visualisation is that it allows you to move from left brain to right brain thinking which is where infinite possibilities exist. Our left brain is our logical side, our inner critic and it is here where negative thoughts reside. Our right brain is our creative side, free from limitations and barriers. Olympic Athletes have been studied as they were performing visualisations and they found that they were recruiting the same small muscle fibers during their visualisations as they would use while performing the physical task. Looking for an extra advantage, incorporate visualisation and watch the benefits of positive sport performance. Read my article in the North Shore News about how to avoid choking on game day.
Avoid Choking on Game Day by Michelle Newton Do you perform well during training or practice but choke in competition? Pre-race jitters are a common complaint among competitive athletes. Whether you are a newcomer to your sport or a seasoned veteran, this phenomenon can get the better of you. Sometimes referred to as choking, it will inevitably diminish your ability to perform at your best. Athletes can choke on game day because they have an audience or they have extremely high expectations of their success. See more at: http://www.nsnews.com/living/avoid-choking-on-game-day-1.1414628#sthash.y6Kpda3q.dpuf I had the pleasure of interviewing Morgan Quarry, the General Manager of both Canada's Olympic and Men's National Soccer teams which you can listen to here:
GREG SMITH US Marines Specialized Reconnaissance Division |
MICHELLE NEWTON
Creating Peak Performances 
"If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it." Tonny Lasorda
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