Many athletes and coaches alike mistakenly assume that hard physical training will lead to success on game-day, only to be disappointed with a sub-par performance. However, how much does your physical ability change from day-to-day or competition-to-competition? Usually, a lack of consistency or change in performance is due to mental factors. Especially at the higher levels of competition, physical preparation without mental training leaves one short of potential.
Dallas Soccer is proud to have U.S. Soccer Federation consultant, Dr. Brent Walker, as part of its staff. Dr. Walker is recognized in his ability to help players, coaches and parents improve their overall sport experience through sport psychology and mental training. For the athlete, mental training helps improve performance by developing an awareness of one's ideal performance factors and then re-creating those on a consistent basis. An understanding of the mental game benefits coaches and parents by educating them about the environmental conditions that lead to success so performance is helped rather than hurt.
Mental training helps the athlete or team:
lacking confidence, motivation, or underperforming
failing to maintain focus and/or emotions
afraid of failing or playing 'not to lose'
no longer enjoying competition
looking to play more consistently
failing to turn practice performance into competitive success
wanting a competitive edge
that has reached a plateau and doesn't know how to get to the next level
in a slump
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
If you are struggling with the mental game, Dr. Walker provides counseling services for sport performance and mental training to help you reach your peak performance. Individual services begin with an assessment phase where mental strengths and weaknesses are identified as well as performance issues. Based on the initial assessment, you will then have a mental plan specifically catered to your needs and implemented through individual work with Dr. Walker. Finally, your progress will be monitored through regular performance evaluations, follow-up, and feedback.
If you are interested in mental training for performance enhancement, Dr. Walker is now offering an eight session (4-week) mental training program.
A number of team programs are available for teams interested in reaching a higher level of performance. The general team program involves an initial intensive workshop where team issues are addressed and mental skills (relaxation, confidence building, focus training, visualization, and emotional control) are taught. Dr. Walker is then available on a retainer basis to help team's deal with future team issues.
ORGANIZATIONAL / LEAGUE / CLUB PROGRAMS
League programs are available for youth sport programs to ensure league offerings are developmentally appropriate. Dr. Walker offers a coaching education/training program as well as a program evaluation to ensure that participants are enjoying the game as well as developing abilities. Additionally, Dr. Walker offers workshops that cover a variety of topics including:
'Providing developmentally age-appropriate sport experiences for children'
'Developing mental toughness in sports'
'Improving player-coach communication'
'Enhancing team chemistry'
'Fostering leadership inside and outside of sport'
'Motivating today's athlete'
For more information on any of the above programs, click the Contact link below to reach Dr. Walker.
