The podcast features Aaron Walsh, a mental skills performance expert, discussing the importance and integration of mental skills in sports performance. Aaron, with a background in sports and a passion for understanding performance, delves into the mental aspects that differentiate successful athletes from others. His journey, which includes experiences in the US and New Zealand, highlights the significance of mental skills in sports, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Walsh emphasizes that while physical and technical skills are crucial, the mental aspect often becomes the differentiating factor at the highest levels of sport. He categorizes sports into those where athletes initiate movement and those where they respond to it, noting that sports requiring initiation of movement, like golf or penalty kicks in football, have a higher mental demand. Walsh argues that mental skills should be treated like any other skill, with a focus on knowledge, tools, and support for development.
He also touches on the role of mental skills in team environments, stressing the importance of integrating mental skills into coaching, recruitment, and training decisions. Walsh criticizes the common approach of only addressing mental skills when athletes underperform, advocating instead for a proactive and integrated approach.
If you're someone who wants to develop a rounded programme that involves more than just sets and reps, this episode is for you.
Main talking points:
Translating knowledge of speed from other sports to soccer with Tom Taylor
Jump training & the importance of “deep tier” jumps with Matt McInnes Watson
Integrating speed training into an athletic development programme with Joey Bergles
The EXOS way to develop fast athletes with Brent Callaway, Anthony Hobgood and Nic Hill
#Bitesize - Tackle technique and what American Football can learn from rugby with Andy Ryland
Reflections from working across the elite football trifecta: Premier League club, league and federation with James Bunce
Utilising a data driven approach to rehab with Alan Murdoch, Jason Avedesian and Nick Court
#Bitesize - Flat foot versus ball of the foot landings in jump training with Eamonn Flanagan
How to prepare players for the NFL with TedRath
Learnings from building a performance department from scratch with Adam Parr
How to profile performance staff. What does “success” look like for different roles with Martin Buchheit
How to coach and programme “true” plyometrics with Eamonn Flanagan
Isometrics for performance enhancement and rehabilitation with Connor Schoepp
How to assess and rehab hip and groin injuries with Steve Short
#Bitesize - How to test neck strength with Gavin Pratt
Changing the narrative around health and performance of young athletes and people With Kelvin Giles
#Bitesize - How to test and train curvilinear sprinting with Alberto Filter
Optimising tackle technique and building confidence in contact with Andy Ryland
Using GPS to understand HOW someone moves, not just where they move through SpeedSig with Jason Weber
Managing and maximising the rise in individual athlete support teams with Ben Rosenblatt and James Collins
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Coach Carvalho Podcast
From Corner2Corner
Golf Podcast: next on the tee
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
The MeatEater Podcast