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:
Anaerobic speed reserve: Individualising conditioning in team sports with Phil Scott
#Bitesize - Testing changing of direction ability: Is it worthwhile with Alistair McBurnie and Tom Dos’Santos
Training the lower limb to improve performance and reduce injury risk with Colin Griffin
#Bitesize - Using run-specific isometric strength training with youth athletes and different populations with Alex Natera
Data science, data visualisation and evaluating the effectiveness of a programme with Johann Windt
#Bitesize - What impact strength actually has on speed with Peter Weyand
Debunking 5 myths on speed training and getting team sport athletes FAST with Pete Burridge
#Bitesize - How to evaluate sports technology with Xavi Schelling
Heart rate variability: What we know and how it can be used to inform training prescription with Marco Altini
Mental skills training: The untapped strategies to help athletes perform with Colleen Hacker
#Bitesize - Designing the optimal warm up with Rett Larson
Mentoring and building the skills needed to succeed in performance sport with Craig White
#Bitesize - Whoop vs Oura and which device to choose with Sian Allen
Coaching agility using a constraints led approach with Shawn Myszka
#Bitesize - Gym based assessments to help guide speed training with Ryan Grubbs
Linking a strength & power programme to a game model to maximise on-field performance with Shane Lehane
#Bitesize - Tackling common sleep problems in athletes with Luke Gupta
Training tendons: What really matters for performance and rehabilitation with Seth O’Neill
#Bitesize - Implementing Frans Bosch’s methods and the importance of hip lock with Leigh Egger
Data management & analysis: The essentials skills needed for the future S&C coach with Ryan Curtis
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