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:
#Bitesize - What is the hype around the knees over toes split squat with Nathan Kiely
An in-depth look at a league winning performance department with Leigh Egger & Stijn Vandenbroucke
“Activation” sessions and asymmetries: Are they really that important (?) with Tony Blazevich
#Bitesize - Operationalising GPS data with Patrick Ward
Maximising the impact of your data with data visualisation best practice with Eva Murray, Julian Haigh and Adam Sheehan
#Bitesize - Dealing with intense periods of growth and maturation in youth athletes with Perry Stewart, Jack Ade and Matt Allen
Understanding the impact of athlete footwear selection on performance and injury risk with Athol Thomson
#Bitesize - Making your CV and cover letter stand out from the crowd with Des Ryan, Chris Bishop and Dave Slemen
Sprint profiling: Why do it, how to do it well and dispelling some myths with Les Spellman, JB Morin and Ryan Grubbs
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Improving change of direction ability, deceleration drills and coaching “transitional movements” with Hailu Theodros
Supplements, nutrition myths, CBD and nutrition principles in youth sport with Graeme Close, Hannah Sheridan and James Morehen
#Bitesize - The lack of value in testing change of direction with Molly Binetti
The “hybrid” S&C coach: Physical preparation, rehabilitation and data management with Jermaine McCubbine
#Bitesize - Using the weightroom to explore movement with Vernon Griffith
Managing hip and groin injuries and developing a robust injury prevention strategy with Nick Kane
#Bitesize - Developing change of direction and agility through frontal and transverse plane drills with Loren Landow
Integrating deceleration training and testing into a high performance programme with Damian Harper, Ted Rath and Mark Jamison
#Bitesize - Choosing the right GPS metrics for your sport with Stu Cormack
How the best football academies in the world develop their players with Jack Ade, Matt Allen and Perry Stewart
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