Sometimes coaches are so intent that the only way to help an athlete improve, is to provide constructive criticism of the competitor’s technique.  Effective coaches, however, will also understand how emotion influences an athlete’s performance.  Often just the right words or look or wink, can have a greater impact than any explanation of what an athlete should do to improve his skill.

Dad was a coach who often found the means to tap into emotions to take an athlete from utter despair to exciting triumph, from choking to finding calm and focus.  He was a coach who could help an athlete get “into the zone”.   He understood that sports was as much about emotions as it was ...

Doing the best you can!  What does that mean?  How important is it?  Is doing your best good enough?  Or is BEING the best what it's all about?

When I was in the second grade, I brought my report card home.  In Social Studies, I had gotten a “C”.  (Back in the fifties, teachers graded all students, from first grade to twelfth grade by the traditional letters.)  I was mortified.  I had never gotten a “C” before, and I was worried about what my Mom would say.

I do remember that we had been studying the Plains Indians, and I just couldn’t grasp the concept that there were groups of Indians that were part of different tribes and they all lived out ...

 My guess is that over 99% of the athletes with whom I work, train better than they compete. Relaxation is such an important part of being able to perform to the best of your ability

I've been thinking about how different athletes make that happen. Some athletes find that listening to music---specific music they've chosen---helps calm them down. Some athletes use humor and jokes to loosen up. Some athletes find a quiet, meditative place. I always had a routine---warm-up exercises, stretching, visualizing, and deep breathing---that helped me get into the zone.

But there was one experience I had where I was so focused, so in the moment, so much "in-the-zone", that I did far better than I ever was ...

When my son was a senior in high school, he played baseball. I did not want to miss a game.    

One of the games I watched was Mt. Abraham playing against Harwood. When Harwood's pitcher was warming up, the fans on the sidelines thought he looked good and wondered whether our batters might have a tough time against him. He had a good fast ball and seemed to have good control.   

Things changed once the game started. Harwood was up first. Mt. Abraham got the first three batters out. Then Harwood's pitcher took the mound. With his first pitch, he struck Mt. Abe's batter in the back; he walked the second batter; and then struck the third batter in the head. Bases loaded. Had ...

After my son read my first article, "Getting the Results You Want", he said, "So what you're saying is that you shouldn't set goals?"   

Wow! That is not even close to what I meant. So if anyone else out there thought that was what I was saying, I apologize. Goals are important. They help you figure out where you want to go. They help you stay on a clearer path. Goals help you get things done. And best of all, when you complete a goal, you feel so good about yourself.   

A goal is something for which to strive – something you’d like to accomplish. Yes, things would get done, even without goals. But goals are like the title in a recipe – ...

The best coach I ever had was my dad. He taught me, my brother, and my sisters lots of lessons to make us better athletes. Many lessons came from his own life experiences.