Recently I went to Louisiana to work with the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks baseball program. I have to say it was a great experience. Many teams can learn a lot from what is going on over there in Warhawks Nation.

There are certain characteristics that all great teams must have if they plan on winning a championship. One of them is hard work. Teams must put in the time and be dedicated to conditioning, practice and getting prepared for their games. These elements resonated through each player as they displayed the desire to want to work hard and get better. It wasn’t just with lifting weights or swinging the bat during BP. It was also the willingness to sharpen their mental game. Their eagerness to learn, train and put themselves in position handle the adversity of competition.

Another aspect important for team success is building a productive culture that ball players are willing to buy in to. Our main focus for the week was to establish being accountable, motivated and to be in control. It’s important for each player to be responsible for their actions on and off the field of play. Players also need to maintain control at all times. As soon as an individual allows another element to distract them, whether a bad call, an opponent, a coach, weather, anything, then they have completely given up their power. Don’t ever give up your power and become powerless, ever! This mantra has to be a pillar in the foundation of what a team believes in.

The last thing that great teams must posses to have any chance of being a dominant force is team chemistry. This factor goes a long way and makes up for many obstacles that will be endured throughout the course of a season. The ULM Warhawks have an impressive foundation of team unity and family. These guys are willing to have their brother’s back no matter the situation. All is possible when a team is as close as what I witnessed in Monroe.

These key factors have led to a fast start for Warhawks Nation. They currently hold a 4-1 record and have the Nations highest RPI rating out of all Division I teams. The key to keep this rolling will be their dedication and trust to continue to buy in to the culture that has been established, through thick and thin. When adversity strikes their bond will need to be stronger than ever. And from what I saw throughout that week in Monroe, the Warhawks have all the team ingredients to go far this year.

Sports Psychology/Mental Training from Mental Apex

Jeremy Lin has taken the NBA by storm. In one of the most unlikely stories in NBA history, he has captivated the sports world with his brilliant play and underdog nature. This is probably the biggest phenomenon in sports since… lets say… Tim Tebow!

There are many amazing factors about this Jeremy Lin story. The fact that he is Asian American playing in the NBA is one (The first American born player in history to be of Chinese or Taiwanese decent). Or the fact that he played his collegiate career at Harvard University (Only one other player has ever played at Harvard and made it to the NBA). Or the fact that he wasn’t even drafted coming out of college. Lin has definitely seized the moment even with all these odds stacked against him.

Although all of these factors make for a great story, probably the most impressive and overlooked element of all is the fact that he continued to work hard and prepare himself to take advantage of his opportunity.

A lot can be learned from Lin’s story. Always work hard at your craft no matter what. You may not be getting the time you want or feel you deserve. You may feel like things aren’t going the way they should and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. It’s easy to fall into a rut and lose confidence in your game when things aren’t going your way. Regardless of the tough times you are going through as an athlete, you must be prepared at all times because you never know when your number will be called.

Sports Psychology/Mental Training from Mental Apex

The Green Bay Packers start their 2011 title defense with a 42-34 victory over the New Orleans Saints. There has been much talk about a Super Bowl hangover and how difficult it is to repeat as champion. In fact, many recent champions have had troubles just getting back to the post season the following year.

There are certain main elements that contribute to this let down for many champions. A feeling of complacency tends to take over after achieving your ultimate goal. Becoming overconfident traditionally is a fixture in the mindset after winning it all. Also, many champions become satisfied once they hoist that trophy in the air.

The above mentioned and similar factors are a recipe for disaster once you’ve reached that mountain top. An athletes’ hunger and desire aren’t quite the same. The work ethic put in doesn’t have the same intensity. The off-season preparation lacks the focus needed to get back on top.

Many athletes go wrong thinking they can just show back up and do it all over again. Preparation is the key to avoid a let down after winning it all. The team and/or individual must create good habits right away both mentally and physically. There has to be strong focus and attention to detail during the preparation phase for the upcoming season or event.

Work hard at your craft as if you have never won anything. Prepare yourself mentally by being efficient and detailed oriented during your practices. Drive and push yourself to be better than you were a year ago, a month ago, a week ago, a day ago. Be specific in the areas where you want to get better. Develop a stronger focus on execution of the task you want to master.

Creating detailed mental habits of execution will keep your mind from allowing the outcome of your achievements to be the focal point. Slacking off becomes an option once complacency settles in. Don’t fall in to this trap. Don’t allow complacency to be an option. Prepare yourself during practice and create good habits right away as you get ready for your next event or season. Accomplish these tasks and the likelihood for more success will be much higher moving forward.

Sports Psychology/Mental Training from Mental Apex

Usain Bolt is arguably the fastest man to ever put on a pair of sneakers. He has dominated the world of track in field over the past few years with his explosive speed and unwavering confidence. Even with all this success, hard work ethic and mental toughness, costly mistakes can jump up and bite the best of them.

No one is above the law when it comes to focusing on the task at hand. There is no substitute for being locked in and focused on what you are trying to achieve. It doesn’t matter how good of an athlete you are or how confident you feel. One of the keys to competitive success is to be able to focus on that one shot at a time, that one play right in front of you or that immediate task staring you right in the face. It may sound like the oldest cliche in the world but sometimes old rules seem to stand the test of time.

Make sure to be consistent with your focus going in to an event no matter how confident you may feel. When distractions become a road block to your success during competition its time to rededicate yourself to task at hand. You are selling yourself short if you allow your focus to wander to things like winning a game or making a putt. Focusing on the outcome of what you’re doing instead of the process of executing the task in front of you will only bring mistakes that could’ve been avoided with the right type of focus.

Sports Psychology/Mental Training from Mental Apex