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August 2014 Article Archives

Effective Strategies for Dealing with Coaching Burnout

By Ryan Hedstrom
Published

Coaching is one of those professions where passion for the job is a key ingredient. However, over time, the ups and downs of the season can make us question that passion. While this response is normal…

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How to Choose a Mental Performance Consultant

By AASP
Published

Each mental performance consultant possesses a specific set of skills that defines the scope of their competencies. Thus, when choosing a consultant, it is important for athletes, coaches/parents, and…

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Could I Be Hazing? A Definition and Positive Initiation Ideas

By Sarah Carson Sackett
Published

Is it wrong to want to uphold your team’s longstanding team traditions? Is it bad to want to develop team unity? Is it terrible to want your new teammates to grow an understanding of what it means…

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Overcoming Performance Errors with Resilience

By Gloria Solomon
Published

A common occurrence that all athletes encounter is performance errors. All athletes make mistakes; it is a natural part of learning to be competent at any activity. Since mistakes are normal, it is…

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Principles of Effective Goal Setting

By Eva V. Monsma
Published

1. Make goals specific, observable and in measurable terms – Setting general goals such as improving your shooting percentage in basketball is easy but it becomes hard to determine how to…

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Playing Pressure Points

By Gloria Solomon
Published

Tennis is a game of momentum. When a player makes a dramatic shot at a critical time, the momentum is likely to be on their side. When an unforced error occurs, frustration mounts and momentum can…

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The 3 C’s of Being a Captain

By Larry Lauer
Published

Larry Lauer, PhD and Kevin Blue Major Point: Captains embody 3 C’s in leading their team: Caring, Courageous, and Consistent. Being named a team captain is quite the honor. The position of captain…

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Pain Tolerance in Sport

By Eddie O’Connor
Published

Pain is ever-present in sport. An athlete’s ability to tolerate pain is essential to success. Pain provides valuable information about your body and how it is performing. To maximize…

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Cue Statements: Staying Focused at Critical Times

By Ryan Hedstrom
Published

Emily is a collegiate volleyball player. As a defensive specialist, she often receives serves and establishes the defensive plays for her team. She has recently struggled with losing concentration and…

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Exercise Adherence Tips

By the Association for Applied Sport Psychology
Published

As many as 80% of people who begin an exercise program do not stick with it. While initially, many people are motivated to begin an exercise program. It even can be fun. But what does it take to stay…

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Body Image and Physical Activity

By Christy Greenleaf
Published

What is Body Image? Body image refers to the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions you have about your body appearance and shape. How Does Body Image Influence Physical Activity? How you feel…

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When Building Muscle Turns into Muscle Dysmorphia

By Jennifer Waldron
Published

Photo Anchor: Muscle and Brawn URL: https://muscleandbrawn.com In today’s world, action figures, men’s magazines, television shows, and movies often portray the ideal body for men. The ideal…

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Stress Management Tips for Good Health

By Aaron Moffett
Published

Following simple stress management tips can improve your health. Stress has been related to health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, ulcers, migraines, and sleeping problems or disorders.…

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Disordered Eating and the Controlling Aspects of Aesthetic Sports

By Eva V. Monsma
Published

Although there are several benefits to sport participation, achievement and performance pressures can be highly stressful especially in aesthetic activities such as gymnastics, diving, cheerleading…

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Signs of Body Image Disturbance, Disordered Eating, and Eating Disorders in Physically Active Adolescents

By Nick Galli
Published

Major Point: Seemingly healthy behaviors such as careful monitoring of food intake and regular exercise may actually be signs of body image disturbance, disordered eating, or an eating disorder in…

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Eight Tips for Communicating with Adolescent Athletes Immediately after the Game: Win or Loss

By Larry Lauer
Published

Major Point: Eight ways parents can communicate with their adolescent children after games to enhance their relationship. Youth and high school sport has the opportunity to be a tremendous experience…

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Developing an Effective Team Culture

By Ryan Hedstrom
Published

One of the most important jobs as a coach is to develop and foster a team culture. This culture, or identity, is really the foundation of all effective teams. As a coach, this culture is your vision…

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Reducing Anxiety in the Competitive Environment

By Vikki Krane
Published

It is the last match of your regular season. If your team wins, they will advance to the championship game. All season the team has been improving steadily and the last few games the team has played…

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Encouraging Good Sport Conduct in Athletes

By Jennifer Waldron
Published

Parents often enroll their child in a sport program to build the child’s character. Sport participation by itself, however, does not develop character in athletes. Just like any physical skill,…

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Tips for Including Athletes with Disabilities

By Aaron Moffett
Published

Johnny is 13 years old and wants to join your swim team. He has been a recreational swimmer for a couple of years but never really competed. Johnny also has an above knee amputation and cannot wear…

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The Good Coach: From Beginner to Expert

By Kristen Dieffenbach
Published

We live in a culture of now. More and more things are available at our fingertips instantly. We often expect amazing results after just a few weeks of effort. This quest for quick upgrades is on par…

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Coaching Through Conflict: Effective Communication Strategies

By Ryan Hedstrom
Published

Sport is full of conflict! Whether it is on or off the playing field, effectively dealing with conflict goes a long way in determining success. Internal team conflict can have a major impact on team…

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Making Your Team Work: How Coaches Can Transform Groups into Teams

By Ryan Hedstrom
Published

Whether it is on the field, in the locker room, or on the water - effective coaches need to understand the strategies to turn a group of individuals into a cohesive and successful team. Not all groups…

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