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Virtual Conference - Consulting with Elite Sport

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Description

Session length is 3 hours.

Speakers
Ceci Clark, MS, CMPC, Cleveland Indians
Cristina Fink, PhD, HP Sports
Colleen Hacker, PhD, CMPC, Pacific Lutheran University
Aimee Kimball, PhD, CMPC, KPEX Consulting
Ian Maynard, PhD, Sheffield Hallam University
Sean McCann, PhD, CMPC, United States Olympic Committee

"There is no such thing as an advanced gun fight"- A Special Forces Soldier 
Getting Back to the Basics

Ceci Clark
In working both with elite Army Soldiers as well as baseball players I have found that the most elite Soldiers and athletes are those who take pride and in and make time for the basics. These are the athletes and Soldiers that have consistent routines and approaches to performance that allow for them not to just reach potential but perform at a high level consistently. Whether on a shooting range or in the cages I have watched these Soldiers and athletes continually engage in high level repetitions on the most basic aspects of their craft, honoring the foundation of what ultimately lets them achieve at a level that is far superior to those who always want to move on to the next "cool thing". Similarly in our field I think our work is often built upon the most basic foundations of self-awareness, rapport with those we work with, and a focus on the performer and not on ourselves. We don't necessarily need to next "cool thing," we often need to be really good at the basics of our craft. Finally this presentation will address some of the similarities and differences between working with developmental players versus elite athletes.

Choosing Confidence
Cristina Fink
Coaches and Athletes seem to think that confidence is something that you have or you don't, and that you have confidence if you worked hard during training. Many times, coaches and athletes do not realize that the way they prepare and the communication and inner dialogue they have, can either give them confidence or take it away.  In this presentation we will discuss the main aspects coaches and athletes need to be aware of to choose confidence.

  • Coaches can choose to give their athletes confidence – or take it away – through their actions and communication
  • Athletes can choose to be confident or not with the inner dialogue or self talk they have
  • Coaches and athletes can maximize their potential by being self-aware
  • Coaches and athletes need to focus on the “controllables” and shape the athletic environment through communication, creative thinking, attitude, and emotional composure

It’s Exactly the Same and Completely Different
Colleen M. Hacker
One of the most frequently cited axioms in sport psychology consulting, especially in the “biggest” events (Olympic Games, World Championships, etc.), is to remind athletes that this competition is no different from hundreds of other events in which they have performed well and to keep plans, preparations and performance focus exactly the same. If only it was that simple and that realistic and true. This presentation will highlight the importance of understanding when, where and what similarities and differences exist when working with elite performers and teams over the course of the year and in culminating, championship events. In fact, an essential factor in successful consulting with athletes, teams, NGBs and professional organizations is a nuanced understanding and application of several enduring themes in consulting along with appropriate preparation differences based on sport, event, organization and athlete-specific characteristics.

Called Up: Consistency Is Key
Aimee Kimball
I once asked a scout what they look for in players as they decide who gets called up. He said they need to be consistent in their play and they need to be notable on the ice. They don't have to be great, they don't even have to be the best, however when they are on the ice they have to make an impact. This mentality can really help athletes at all levels to simplify their approach to and focus in competition. This presentation will focus on three areas that can help athletes to be consistently great: 1) role execution 2) developing successful habits and 3) swagger. Many sport psych consultants want to work with professional athletes but don't always understand the dynamics and lack of job security. First, getting into elite sport requires knowledge, skill, and networking, but even when you're in, a coaching change can put your job in jeopardy. I will discuss important factors in being successful at this level and in becoming a needed resource to an organization, not just to a team.

The Final Countdown
Ian Maynard
Sports coaching, especially in the arena of world-class sport, has been identified as an inherently stressful occupation (Gould, Guinan, Greenleaf & Chung, 2002). This presentation will replicate a session conducted with the coaches of the British Sailing Team about three months prior to the Athens Olympics.  The aim of the workshop was to help the coaches identify strategies for helping the sailors/athletes, strategies for helping build team cohesion and strategies for helping themselves, in the final build-up to the Games. Specifically coaches were asked to generate pertinent goals and confidence-enhancement strategies for their sailors, consider team-building techniques that may positively influence the cohesion of the squad and most importantly, determine what they needed to do to ensure they were personally fully prepared for the Olympics. The presentation will also highlight some 'What Ifs'.  'What Ifs' are potential catastrophe situations that may arise during the competition.  The technique is used to enhance the client's ability to rationalize in stressful situations and build a positive plan of action to deal with the issue.  Throughout the presentation the parallels and similarities between elite sport and business will be identified.  Ultimately it is hoped that many of the strategies and techniques outlined can be used to help young practitioners adapt their knowledge and skills to alternative contexts/markets where clients have to 'Perform under Pressure'. 

Flying in Turbulence: Consulting With Elite Athletes at Career Defining Moments
Sean McCann
This presentation will focus on the special skills necessary to succeed at the moments of greatest pressure, when the normal approaches no longer work.  This is true for the athletes, whose normal skills are overwhelmed by the disruptive impact of great pressure.  This is also true of the consultant who must also “get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” and operating in a different way than normal.  Finally, the presentation will focus on the consistent elements of sport psychology work across athletes and situations, from developing athletes to elite athletes on the biggest stage.

Choosing Confidence
Cristina Fink
Coaches and Athletes seem to think that confidence is something that you have or you don't, and that you have confidence if you worked hard during training. Many times, coaches and athletes do not realize that the way they prepare and the communication and inner dialogue they have, can either give them confidence or take it away.  In this presentation we will discuss the main aspects coaches and athletes need to be aware of to choose confidence.

  • Coaches can choose to give their athletes confidence – or take it away – through their actions and communication
  • Athletes can choose to be confident or not with the inner dialogue or self talk they have
  • Coaches and athletes can maximize their potential by being self-aware
  • Coaches and athletes need to focus on the “controllables” and shape the athletic environment through communication, creative thinking, attitude, and emotional composure

Continuing Education Credit
K2: Sport Psychology
3.0 CE Credits

Registration

Students – $49.00

Members – $75.00

Non-members – $99.00

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