Summit Mental Training, LLC

     When an athlete competes, there are a multitude of factors that can impact one’s performance on the court, on the field, on the ice, or in the pool. Competing in sports is akin to competing in a dynamic, changing, and unpredictable environment. Some of the factors that can impact an athlete’s performance are uncontrollable. That said, there are elements that an athlete will find necessary to contend with in an athletic contest or competition that they will not be able to control. Some of these uncontrollables include lighting in the venue, temperature of the venue, course conditions, fans, officials, or opponents. All of these elements have the potential to impact an athlete's performance on any given day or at any given competition. Sometimes, the impact can result in a positive performance. More likely, the impact can result in a negative performance. It can be extremely frustrating for an athlete to have their performance impacted negatively by elements that are outside of their control.

     Being aware of the fact that uncontrollables can impact one’s performance is a critical step in making sure that the impact is not negative. When an athlete finds themselves in a situation where uncontrollables have the potential to impact their performance, it’s important that an athlete rely on the elements in an athletic competition that they are able to control. In any athletic competition, an athlete has absolute control over the following elements:

      * Attitude                               *Effort                               *Energy                                   *Body Language

     Paying attention, or directing your focus on too many things during an athletic competition, has the potential to negatively impact one’s performance. Do you think it would be more beneficial to focus on things you cannot control? Or would it be more beneficial to concentrate on elements you do have control over? Focusing on these elements within your control can be crucial to a more successful performance.

      I offer the following definitions of the elements that an athlete has absolute control over.

 * Attitude is defined as a feeling about or a way of behaving toward something, in this case, the upcoming athletic competition. It goes without saying that the prevailing attitude for an athlete prior to competition should be positive.

 * Effort can be defined as the physical or mental activity in order to achieve a positive performance in the upcoming athletic competition.

 * Similarly, energy is defined as the power and ability to be physically and mentally active during the athletic competition. Clearly, energy and effort are closely tied to one another and indeed, fuel each other.

 * Body language is defined as the movements or positions of one’s body that clearly show how an athlete can be feeling about the upcoming athletic competition.

      Sometimes, in the context of an athletic contest, concentrating or focusing on too many things or the wrong things can make the athlete feel out of control and unable to execute.  When an athlete feels this out of control sensation, it's always best to focus on the elements that an athlete can control - effort energy, attitude,  and body language.  

     Reach out via email or cell if I can help your athlete!