In 1947, New York Yankees rookie catcher Yogi Berra said, “baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical.” I’ve heard this quote countless times throughout my 45 years in the game of baseball.
While Yogi might not have been a mathematician, he certainly captured an essential truth about sports.
Replace “baseball” with almost any other sport or area of life, and the quote still holds. When I work with teams, I often ask them what percentage of their sport they believe is mental versus physical. Regardless of the sport, the answer is almost always at least 70% mental. Then I ask how much time they spend developing the mental side compared to the physical. Silence typically follows. Athletes today are missing a huge opportunity to train one of the most important parts of their game. Let’s explore the world of mental performance more deeply.
What is Mental Performance?
Mental performance is about maximizing an athlete’s potential in competition or achieving their long-term goals. It’s important to distinguish between mental performance and mental health in athletics. While the pressures of competition and the potential for athletes to base their identity on their sport are significant reasons to increase awareness about mental health, mental performance focuses on enhancing performance under pressure. However, there is some crossover. I help athletes create a healthy separation from their sport, deal with pressure, and reduce performance anxiety. These strategies not only enhance performance but also benefit overall mental health.
What Do You Teach an Athlete?
The core elements I cover with every athlete include mindset, focus, self-awareness, and reflection. We start by developing an in-game routine to help athletes reach their Ideal Competitive State, where they are mentally primed for success. These routines aim to consistently bring athletes to this optimal state during competition.
We also create a long-term vision and establish pathways with daily and weekly tasks to achieve it. Topics like overcoming failure, process over outcome, leadership, culture, mental imagery, meditation, commitment, and motivation are also introduced. The most value comes after competition when we discuss how the athlete applied or failed to apply mental performance skills during the game. Each athlete is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach; it involves some trial and error to find what works best.
Who is Mental Performance For?
In simple terms, mental performance is for anyone who performs, whether on an athletic field, in an emergency situation, or in a boardroom. If you have high expectations in your field, you can benefit from mental performance coaching. As a retired battalion chief with the Richmond Fire Department, I am passionate about public safety and plan to expand my coaching to include this area. The stakes in public safety are incredibly high, and poor performance can have catastrophic consequences.
Whether you are a fitness enthusiast seeking a personal record, an endurance athlete wanting to enjoy your sport more, or a competitive collegiate, high school, or youth athlete, mental performance can help you maximize your physical skills.
Do I Need a Mental Performance Coach Specific to My Sport?
The short answer is no. Most mental performance coaches can assist athletes from any sport. While there might be some benefits to having a coach who understands the specifics of your sport, the fundamental mental performance skills are universally applicable. Trust is the most important element in the coach-athlete relationship, so finding a coach who fits well with you is crucial.
How Do I Find a Mental Performance Coach?
Historically, this level of coaching has been available primarily to professional and high-level collegiate athletes, with sport coaches incorporating mental performance into practice as best they could. However, professional mental performance coaching is becoming more accessible to high school, youth, and recreational athletes. Many coaches offer remote training options, so don’t feel limited by your location.
The most critical part of any coaching relationship is trust. Ensure you find a coach who genuinely wants the best for you, and the rewards will be significant.
Summary
Mental performance coaching isn’t just for struggling athletes. While a coach can help get an athlete back on track, they also build resilience and help maximize potential. Athletes still need to execute the physical aspects of their sport, but a mental performance coach helps them achieve the optimal mental state to do so successfully. Whatever your passion, if you aim to maximize your performance, a mental performance coach can guide you on your journey.
About the Author
Brian Turnage is the owner and head coach of Mental Edge Athletic Training, offering one-on-one, group, and team coaching as well as an online mental performance education program and a 14-week video series called Mental Minutes. Brian holds a master’s degree from Xavier University in Coaching Education and Athlete Development and is an assistant baseball coach at Collegiate School in Richmond, Virginia. He started Mental Edge Athletic Training to continue serving others after retiring as a battalion chief from the Richmond Fire Department. You can contact Brian at brian@mentaledgeva.com or by filling out the contact form here.
