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 - Where to start when coaching speed to a new athlete with Les Spellman
Speed training for youth athletes: Lessons from the national high school S&C coach of the year with John Garrish
#Bitesize - A new way to rehabilitate hamstring injuries with Jack Hickey
From S&C coach in Germany to Director of High Performance in the MLS in 5 years - Lessons from moving up the ladder with Max Lankheit
#Bitesize - CBD oil and its potential benefits and risks with Graeme Close
Daily monitoring and the industry’s cautious approach to performance enhancement with Phil Glasgow
#Bitesize - Developing and living by a coaching philosophy with Des Ryan
Speed training: What we know, what we think we know and what is a good guess with Peter Weyand
#Bitesize - Keeping the main thing the main thing and winning the Rugby World Cup with Aled Walters
Jump testing: Looking at metrics that matter and learning from some of the best jumpers in the world with Eric Leidersdorf
#Bitesize - How to get the most out of your RPE data with Aaron Coutts
Improve your athlete testing by breaking down the mechanics of your sport with Adam Petway
#Bitesize - What impact can performance coaches have on esports athletes and their performance with Taylor Johnson
Getting, keeping and excelling in a strength and conditioning role in pro sport with Des Ryan, Dave Slemen and Chris Bishop
#Bitesize - Speed and its place in the return to play process with Alan Murdoch
Working across multiple sports vs one sport for career longevity with Jeremy Bettle
#Bitesize - Where to start with programming and monitoring resisted sprints with Ken Clark
Coaching sub-10 sprinters: What works and what doesn’t with Steve Fudge
#Bitesize - The problems and solutions to over-cueing and over-regressing speed and agility drills with Jon Goodwin
Using jump profiling to answer performance questions with Joseph Coyne
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