Journal of Psychology and Sport
It is human nature to jump to conclusions based on our experience. Though the bark of a dog or a baby’s cry could mean many things, the listener will experience an immediate reaction. If the initial reaction is that the dog is angry and the baby is hungry, they will be correct… occasionally. Experienced professionals…
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Challenge is necessary. Stress is necessary. When they occur in appropriate doses and are balanced by proportionate recovery, challenge and stress create growth. Elite coaching cultures balance challenge and support, stress and recovery, in a way that makes growth not only a consistent possibility but an expectation. As a young coach I didn’t understand that,…
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June 1, Washington, DC Character.org has certified 246 Promising Practices in schools and organizations across the country that foster character development in our children and teens. The Good Athlete Project’s Character by Design workshop was one of them. Jim Davis, Director of the Good Athlete Project, acknowledged that “although we do not do our work…
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By Jen Foust Potential is defined as “a quality or ability that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness.” In a strength and conditioning setting, the lessons taught in a weightroom can have a direct and lasting impact on an athlete. It might be the perfect place to maximize potential. It is…
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The overwhelming majority of conversation in the coaches locker room is positive, supportive, and fun. It hinges on strategy, planning, and getting the most out of young people. The coaches’ locker room is not a dark and dangerous place; rather, it offers an opportunity to bond and connect. Locker room talk, from my experience and…
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It’s Memorial Day. Coaches everywhere will hang a flag, spend time with family, and raise a glass to remember those who have paid the ultimate price to defend our country. On a day like today, it is easy to be grateful. It is safe to assume that coaches and mentors everywhere would agree that those…
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by Eric Torres There was a time, not that long ago, when skateboarding was reported to have been more popular than baseball among kids in the US. While those of us watching action sports industries know that the fervor of the early to mid 2000s (call it the Tony Hawk era) has passed, action sports…
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By Jodi Marver Since being named the head varsity girls basketball coach at Willows Academy, I have been able to witness a lot from the bench. What I have been able to see is a very successful group of ladies both on and off the court. Even though it was my second season as a…
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When Melissa Brody took over as freshman field hockey coach at New Trier High School, her boss, Randy Oberembt, gave her a clear outcome to strive for: make sure they love what they do. Brody coached Field Hockey for eight years. During that time, she showed hundreds of young athletes how fun it could be…
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CAHPERD (the California Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance) put on a fantastic conference this weekend just outside of Anaheim, CA. The theme of the week – “In Focus” – was everywhere. Conversations on attention networks in the brain, social emotional learning, and mindfulness were occurring not only in the lecture halls but…
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