The bottom line is that when your players are in their own head, they underperform.
One of the biggest barriers that prevent teams from performing at their best is The Results Trap.
Here are the three main symptoms that indicate that your players have fallen into this trap:
- Performance vs Fun
When they were younger sport used to be all about fun, but now they feel it is all about their performance, and the fun they once had playing the sport they love is starting to slip. Which only causes their performance to slip too! - Results vs Process
Your players know that they need to focus on the process to achieve the results, but they struggle to do so. If they are checking your stats, looking at standings/rankings, and/or constantly thinking about the results – then they have fallen into the trap! - Noise vs Calm
Your players struggle to block out the noise in their head. They can’t seem to stop worrying about what others think like coaches, scouts, teammates, or parents. They also hold onto mistakes which prevents them from getting a calm mind. All this noise causes them to underperform which creates even more noise!
The bottom line is that your players are in their own head, their body is too tense, and therefore, they are underperforming.
The good news is there is a way out of The Results Trap!
Take Patrick Del Vecchio for example.
“Before I was focused on points, in my own head, and playing inconsistently. Now I am stronger mentally and I stay focused on the process. As a result, my points per game really improved.”
Patrick is a textbook example of someone who had fallen into The Results Trap, but once he started working on his mental game he was able to get out of his own head and start performing at his potential.
His massive improvement in numbers says it all – before working on his mental game he was averaging 1.1 pts/gp but after he escaped The Results Trap he finished the season averaging 2.3 pts/gp!
If your players have fallen into The Results Trap and are not getting the most out of their abilities, then you and your team will definitely benefit from the Mental Toughness Playbook for Coaches.
Get started by clicking HERE.
