Mental Coaching for Student-Athletes
Athletics are a form of controlled adversity. Student-athletes that learn to handle the adversity of athletics are better prepared for the adversity that life will eventually provide. Mental coaching is not just about success in athletics it is about success in life.
What are the benefits?
Mental coaching for student-athletes goes far beyond improving performance on the field or court. At Mental Mettle Coaching, we focus on holistic development that positively impacts all aspects of a young athlete's life. Our approach not only enhances athletic performance but also strengthens family relationships, fosters immediate personal growth, and helps athletes envision and work towards a successful future. By developing mental resilience and a positive mindset, student-athletes gain valuable skills that serve them well in sports, academics, and life beyond.
Improve the family dynamic.
Mental performance coaching will help you set, reach, and celebrate small goals that will ultimately make big changes in your life. Along the way, you will learn to build confidence to tackle all of life's adversities.
See Immediate Success.
Facing challenges is a fact of life, but struggling while facing these challenges doesn't have to be. Coaching will help you learn mental tools that you will use for the rest of your life.
See the future.
If anxiety and lack of confidence keep you from doing great things, then coaching may be the key to opening life's doors. Learn to move through your mental barriers and thrive.
How mentally tough is your athlete?
Parents and coaches! Take this quiz to determine how mentally tough your child/athlete is. Questions are based from experience I have gained working as a mental performance coach through my business Mental Mettle Coaching!
Athletics are a form of controlled adversity.
By definition, there are winners and losers, and it is supposed to be hard. You should want it to be hard. Student-athletes that learn to handle the adversity of athletics are better prepared for the adversity that life will eventually provide. But how do you prepare them to face that adversity? You train. Mental training for athletes is best done when it is done intentionally. When you train a golf swing, it improves. When you practice a jump shot, you make more of them. When you intentionally train in the weight room, you get physically stronger. On the other hand, if you go to the gym without a plan, you will probably leave without results. Mental toughness training for athletes is no different. If you practice intentionally, you will improve. Period. That is where mental coaching comes in. Proper coaching is personal and intentional, and it also uses accountability. With the right mental coach, you will see athletes increase their mental strength and increase their mental skills.
Mental coaching helps individual athletes focus on their thoughts that they can control. It helps them recognize and correct the negative self-talk that can lead to performance anxiety and even depression. It helps them better understand and appreciate the coaches and parents that want the best for them. Mental training can also help an athlete recognize and change their on-court body language. Also, it will help them set and achieve realistic goals.
When athletes start to increase their mental strength and mental skills, they become more prepared to face the controlled adversity that is athletics; however, don't ever believe that this is about wins and losses. While we all love the wins, we should also embrace the losses. Mental training for athletes is not about winning more, it's about flourishing more. When you flourish, you improve, and you enjoy it. Once a person learns these mental skills, they will be ready for the inevitable adversity that life will send their way. Mental toughness training is not just about success in athletics it is about success in life.
Mental Toughness Training Program Basics
Our Mental Toughness Training Program is designed to empower student-athletes through a structured approach to mental performance. Expect to see noticeable, long-lasting improvements in your mental resilience and performance both on and off the field.
The minimum agreement is 8 virtual sessions spaced over 3 months.
Sessions will be scheduled based on each individual's needs and availability.
For best results, sessions should occer weekly or bi-weekly.
Multiple assessments throughout
Multiple action plans/assignments
Noticable, long-lasting results
Sign up for a free informational session.
Mental Mettle COaching Student-Athlete Curriculum
Discovery Session Questions
These questions are designed to help the coach learn more about the individual athlete while also helping the student-athlete begin to learn things about themselves. The questions also build a bond between the coach and the athlete while assisting the athlete in identifying areas for improvement.
Personal, academic, and athletic goals
Many student-athletes need help identifying and simplifying goals in every area of their lives. Through coaching the student-athlete will learn to create small, attainable goals that will yield confidence.
Experiential values and personal statement creation
By recalling memories of positive experiences the student-athlete will identify the values that drive them in athletics. Once these values are discussed, positive personal statements can be created to bolster self-esteem and purpose.
Analysis of athlete mental assessments
Depending on the age and personality of the student-athlete different assessments will be used to identify areas for growth.
Recognition and ownership of negative self-talk
This is one of the most important pieces of the mental coaching curriculum. The student-athlete will learn to identify and change their self-talk. This practice can make big changes in a student-athlete’s game-day performance.
Analyzing and adjusting responses to conflict and criticism
Coaches, parents, and fans are all sources of criticism for a student-athlete. If it is not handled correctly a young student-athlete can have a very negative response. Coaching will help them differentiate the difference between criticism that should be ignored and criticism that should be appreciated and used as a guide for growth.
Development of appreciation and gratitude
The student-athlete will learn to appreciate the positive influences and circumstances in their lives. If continued, this practice can have lifelong benefits that ultimately allow individuals to lead a happy, successful adult life.
Changing mindset towards adversity
Athletics allow young student-athletes to experience adversity in a controlled setting. In order to receive the most benefit from this fact, they must see adversity as a tool for growth. Coaching will help develop the mindset that will allow this to happen.
Creation of empathy and understanding of the perspectives of others
Many student-athletes develop a narrow view of themselves and their world. Specific coaching exercises are used to reveal the perspectives of others which will allow them to better understand their teams, their coaches, and their parents.
The ultimate goal is a more confident and more successful student-athlete that will develop into a confident, successful adult.
What People Are Saying
Don't just take our word for it. Hear from athletes, coaches, and professionals who have transformed their mindset and performance with Mental Mettle Coaching. These success stories showcase the real-world impact of our proven strategies and personalized approach.
We were fortunate enough to have Coach Thomann speak to our athletes. His powerful message of not only getting through adversity but using adversity to make us stronger was inspiring. His personal stories and inspirational examples have stayed with our student athletes and with me. I have known Matt for decades – he is a person of integrity and someone who makes others better.
Dave Feeney
Educator and Head Girls Basketball Coach
Normal Community High School
My early morning sessions with Coach Thomann were a huge part of my 2022. He pushed me to think beyond the “woe is me” attitude I had in my head all revolving around our sweet boy. Pushing past that wall truly helped me see things in a different view. I wish that was something I had as a teen or in college to prep me for life. 100% worth it!
Becky Dee
Educator, Wife, and Mother
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