Going mental: Welcome to the world of sports psychology
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“You get more confidence when you’re was sitting at a laptop, plugged into a excited, and less confidence when you’re device that measured the sensors on nervous or anxious. But physiologically, my fingertips. the same things are happening in the I felt like Ben Stiller, sitting across from body,” she said. “Everyone struggles with Robert DeNiro in the lie-detecting scene that first five minutes and the last five, from “Meet the Parents.” too. You need to take advantage; that’s 10 But this wasn’t to find out if I belonged minutes every contest you can be thriving in the circle of trust. It was biofeedback, while others are struggling. to measure my thoughts, emotions and “Stress is manageable,” she continued. whether I was ready to get into the game “There are management techniques, and and make a positive impact. breathing exercises.” “Breath in,” said Erika Carlson, the How athletes employ those techniques sports psychologist. “One, two, three. gave many TV viewers their first glimpse Breath out. One, two, three.” of sports psychology. I followed her instructions and read Whether it was Kevin Costner saying the jagged lines on the screen. If I had “Clear the mechanism” in “For Love of the to guess, I’d say I was about a 7.3 on the Game,” or the sudden head-jerk of former Stressed-Out Wally (SOW) scale. MLB pitcher Mike Fetters, the “clear” There were green, red and blue lights. mechanism can be quite attention-getting. Green meant “high coherence,” blue was But, a majority of the time, it is not. medium and red was low. “What they actually do is not that “Coherence refers to your thoughts important, ” Carlson said. “It could be just and emotions. They are calm, yet focused, touching the brim of their cap. The idea is helping your heart beat smooth and to find a habit they already have and add regular,” she explained. “Research shows purpose to it.” us this is a state that allows for excellent The “purpose” is simple: Focus on the performance.” task at hand, and don’t dwell on whatever Where was this woman before I began just happened. walking 10 people a night in slow-pitch Carlson picks up on these signs all the softball? time while watching sports on TV. Think Finally, the lines settled into a clear, you notice subtle things in a game? Try consistent, pattern. watching with a sports psychologist. “It’s working,” she said. “Look at how While viewing a Little League World the levels are so much more defined after Series game between Japan and Hawaii, you started the breathing exercise.” Carlson was struck by the action of the It was my introduction to sports psyJapanese pitcher after a wild pitch. chology, and Carlson was my instructor. “He stopped and looked up — is that a MikeW@ When I was the same age as athletes we SportStarsMag.com reset mechanism?” she wondered. feature in this magazine, “sports psychol(925) 566-8500 Could have been — the next pitch was ogy” meant Yogi Berra saying “90 percent Ext. 109 right over the plate. of this game is half mental.” Today, it’s a “Japanese Little League baseball redifferent ballgame. ally embraces sports psychology,” she Athletes, often beaten by their own explained. “They will do anything and mental demons as much as the opponent, everything to get a competitive advanare looking for every advantage they tage. They are so focused, they’re almost can get. This is especially true of young robotic. ” athletes, many of whom are feeling more But, by and large, kids are not robots. pressure to perform than ever before. And that’s a lesson Carlson wants parents That’s where Carlson, who has been in the to remember. field for about 12 years, can help. “When I have sessions with parents, I “We learn what we repeat,” said CarlCarlson tell them to set realistic expectations and son, who operates Excellence in Sport have patience. Kids are kids.” Performance in Pleasanton and Walnut Creek. “A lot of Carlson has a variety of programs, including an option athletes don’t have the knowledge to not repeat mistakes.” in which she will attend events and observe the athlete. With Carlson, it all starts in the beginning — as in, the The former nationally-ranked BMX rider (number four in beginning of the game. the nation) and equestrian horse jumper can neatly sum “One of the biggest mental challenges for any athlete up her best advice in just three words: is the first five minutes. When that whistle blows, there is “Think. Feel. Play.” a big spike in nervousness, anxiety and excitement,” she Yogi Berra couldn’t have said it any better. said. “A lot of what determines their success is how they You can reach Erika Carlson at Excellence in Sport were able to interpret that.” Performance, 510-331-0327, or on the web at www. In other words, the same hormonal surge that makes athletes nervous can actually be used to help them. ErikaCarlsonsports.com
WALLY’S WORLD
Mike Wolcott
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SportStars™
September 23, 2010
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