The Olympic trials for whitewater canoe and kayak include four runs down a whitewater course, spread out over two days of competition. The setting in 2024 was perfect – we had beautiful weather in sunny Oklahoma City, cooled by a little wind and some morning rain. The Olympic and American…
History is riddled with talented players and teams who underachieve. Stories of championship teams also include moments wherein supreme talent glosses over character issues... the unfortunate part of these stories happens after the banner has been hung. Athletes who, never having built resilience, integrity, empathy, self-awareness, or emotional mastery find…
The ABC model in behavioral psychology outlines the relationship between antecedents, behaviors, and consequences. It serves as a diagnostic tool in various settings, but understanding behavior requires considering broader antecedents, including physiological and cultural factors. Integrating contemporary frameworks like HOP and CARE enhances this model, promoting sustainable behavior change through…
Jim Davis, Ed.M., MA, RSCC*E “That dog won’t hunt,” said the football coach about the athlete lagging during the final sprint. A tough appraisal. One of the most common psychological pitfalls in coaching is the fundamental attribution error (FAE). This principle, well-established in social psychology, refers to the tendency of…
By Gary McChalicher, Justin Loudon, and Jim Davis Sports offer the most powerful learning environment on the planet, IF we decide to use that platform wisely. Power does not always elicit positive outcomes. While ‘sports gone wrong’ is still a daily headline, intentional, thoughtful coaching can teach lessons that last…
By Carissa Gump, OLY, MPA At a certain point in their athletic journeys, athletes inevitably confront the daunting inquiry: “Now what?” This pivotal question is not exclusive to seasoned professionals or Olympians but also resonates with young athletes at the recreational level, middle school, high school, and collegiate level as…
Grit is defined as "the tendency to sustain interest in and effort toward very long-term goals (Duckworth et al., 2007). It belongs in a coach/educator's toolkit. The term "toolkit" refers to skills and strategies used by the professional with a student, and taught to the student for future use. We…
The e-sports landscape is rapidly expanding. Hundreds of millions of people tune into live events and millions of dollars are offered in scholarships and tournament prizes. Roughly 200 colleges across the nation have developed varsity e-sports programs and that number continues to grow. Now, as colleges recognize the potential value…
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is the hub of strength and conditioning in the United States. Founded in 1978, the NSCA is home to more than 60,000 members and certified coaches. S&C continues to expand. There are nearly 27,000 high schools in the United States. Strength programs, and…
Wait. Don’t toss the trophy… The title is a misnomer. Trophies are awesome. Goals are essential and when they are accomplished, they should be celebrated. In sports, it comes in the form of a trophy or a ring, in business it might be a bonus or promotion. Celebrate the milestones,…