Archive for the 'Mental coaching' Category

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Working with athletes today is more challenging

Published on September 20, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments

Working with athletes today is more challenging than in the past due to various social, technological, and cultural changes that have transformed the world of sports. Here are some of the main factors:

1. Media and social media pressure

Athletes are exposed to unprecedented visibility and media pressure. Social media creates a constant flow of opinions, criticism, and expectations from the public, fans, and the media. This can lead to significant mental stress, requiring professionals working with athletes (like coaches, sports psychologists, or managers) to deal with new challenges related to managing public image and mental well-being.

2. High expectations and early specialization

Today, there is a growing expectation for athletes to reach excellence at a young age, with increasing emphasis on early specialization in a specific sport. This has raised the risk of burnout and injury, forcing trainers to balance performance improvement with long-term health protection.

3. Technology and data

The use of advanced technology, such as biometric data, video analysis, and performance tracking apps, has made the job more complex. Coaches and trainers must be able to interpret and utilize large amounts of data, not only to improve physical performance but also to prevent injuries and personalize training programs.

4. Cultural and global diversity

Sports have become increasingly global, meaning professionals must be able to work with athletes from diverse cultural backgrounds. Cultural sensitivity and the ability to adapt to different contexts are essential skills. Additionally, language barriers and cultural differences can create further communication challenges.

5. Mental health and well-being

Mental health has become a central issue in the sports world. Athletes are no longer seen simply as “performance machines” but as individuals with complex psychological and emotional needs. Coaches and staff must be able to recognize and address issues such as anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems that can affect performance and personal life.

6. Regulation and compliance

Anti-doping regulations and fair play policies have become stricter. Those working with athletes must be highly attentive to these rules, with severe penalties at risk for violations. This increased oversight adds responsibility for support staff such as sports doctors and nutritionists.

7. Communication and transparency

Today, athletes and staff communicate more frequently and openly with the public. This requires professionals working with athletes to be not only technically skilled but also adept at managing communication and maintaining professional relationships in a context where everything can become public.

8. Economic expectations

The financial stakes around athletes have grown significantly. Sponsorships, TV rights, and prize money mean that athletes are often viewed as brands. Working with athletes requires careful management of their careers from not only a sporting perspective but also an economic and contractual one.

In summary, working with athletes today requires a much broader range of skills than in the past, as professionals must deal with issues that go beyond physical performance, including technology, mental health, media pressure, and the integration of economic strategies.

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Sport increases economy and health

Published on September 18, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: economia, salute.

Sport and physical activity as a virtuous phenomenon, capable of triggering widespread economic and social benefits for the entire country, starting from increased productivity, employment, and well-being. A continuous increase of 10% in sports participation across the population would lead to a medium- to long-term annual productivity growth of around 1.7%, equivalent to nearly 34 billion more in GDP and about 81,000 more jobs per year. Additionally, the growth of sports participation would result in a healthier population in terms of both physical and mental well-being, reducing healthcare spending by 1.6%.

These are some of the highlights from Deloitte’s report “Sport: a key sector for the social, educational, and economic development of the country.” The multiplier effect of the benefits derived from sport and physical activity represents a true asset for our country, says Fabio Pompei, CEO of Deloitte Italy. In light of this, it is essential to approach sport with an increasingly strategic mindset at the national level, focusing on public-private collaboration and defining key development elements, from social policies to infrastructure, from new skills to sports event planning. Only by following this path will we be able to maximize the positive impact of sport on a national scale, ensuring greater productivity and well-being for our country.

The perception of Italian citizens: sport as a key factor in the educational journey In the daily lives of citizens, sport is a central and deeply ingrained phenomenon, as evidenced by the survey analysis included in Deloitte’s study, conducted with a sample of over 3,000 respondents from five countries (Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom).

Sport is considered a fundamental element in education by 96% of Italians (compared to an average of 90% in other EU countries), and for more than 1 in 2 Italians (54%), it is as important as school. However, according to respondents, Italy is the country where schools least encourage young people in their sporting endeavors: 62% believe schools do not do enough or even penalize children and young people pursuing competitive sports, compared to an average of 45.5% in other countries. Italians have a deep emotional connection with sports (they are the most interested in sporting events, with 75% compared to 69% in other countries) and not only perceive sporting events as a growth factor (70% of Italians compared to 59% of the continental average), but they also believe that our country is capable of organizing international sporting events with a positive impact (57%). In this context, the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent an opportunity to capitalize on, and 3 out of 4 Italians believe they will leave a positive legacy for the country.

The economic and social impact of increasing sports participation Increasing sports participation by 10% would lead to a healthier population in terms of physical well-being (3.3% fewer overweight people, 1.9% fewer people with cardiovascular diseases, and 1.6% fewer with musculoskeletal disorders) and mental well-being (1.1% increase in mental health index, 6.4% increase in life satisfaction). Furthermore, it would improve social well-being (9.9% increase in satisfaction with social relationships), help counter deviance (bad habits and addictions: 5% reduction in smoking and 4.9% reduction in alcohol consumption), and reduce crime rates by 5.2%, especially among young people.

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Concepts to teach young athletes

Published on September 17, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: impegno, perdere, successo, Vincere.

4 key points to teach young athletes:

“Winning is not the only thing that matters”
The idea here is that sports offer much more than just winning. Athletes who participate solely to win risk overlooking other important aspects, such as personal improvement, inner growth, discipline, the ability to overcome challenges, and teamwork. If the focus is only on victory, the pressure can become overwhelming, leading some athletes to give up when they don’t achieve immediate results. Sports should be seen as an opportunity to learn, have fun, and grow, not just a race to win trophies.
“Failing is not the same as losing”
Failure is often seen as a setback, but it’s actually a natural part of an athlete’s journey. Losing a game or match does not mean failing as a person or athlete. True failure occurs when you stop trying or give up on your goals. Defeats teach valuable lessons: they help you analyze what can be improved and build resilience. It’s important for athletes not to identify themselves with the results of competitions but to see failure as an opportunity for learning and growth.
“Being successful is not synonymous with winning”
This idea makes a clear distinction between “success” and “victory.” Victory is only about the outcome of a competition, but it doesn’t consider the entire process an athlete undergoes to reach that point. True success lies in the journey: the daily work, the commitment to training, the ability to constantly improve, and overcoming challenges. Even if the final result is a loss, if the athlete has given their best and made progress, they’ve still succeeded. This approach promotes a more holistic view of sports, where the journey is more important than the destination.
“Success is tied to commitment”
This idea emphasizes that success, in its truest sense, comes mainly from consistent effort. It’s not just about winning, but about testing yourself every day, improving, and giving your best in every situation. Even if the athlete doesn’t achieve the desired result, they haven’t failed as long as they’ve given their all. This mindset leads to greater personal satisfaction and resilience because it’s based on what you can control (effort) rather than external factors (like the outcome of a competition).

In summary, these ideas promote an approach to sports that focuses more on personal growth, effort, and the learning process rather than simply on winning.

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10 skills of a youth coach

Published on September 17, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: competenze.

10 psychological traits of a youth coach translated into English:

Patience: Coaching young people requires a great deal of patience. Kids learn at different rates and may make repeated mistakes; a good coach must guide them without frustration.
Empathy: Understanding the emotional needs of young people is essential. An empathetic coach can put themselves in the kids’ shoes, helping them overcome tough moments both on and off the field.
Ability to Motivate: Young athletes need constant motivation, both to maintain interest and to build confidence in their abilities. An effective coach knows how to inspire and encourage them.
Clear Communication: Being able to communicate in a simple and understandable way is crucial for a youth coach, who must convey instructions and feedback clearly and directly.
Mental Flexibility: Young people have interests and moods that can shift quickly. A good coach adapts to these changes and finds creative solutions to keep the group focused.
Resilience: Coaching youth can be challenging, requiring strong resilience to persevere through difficulties, even when results are not immediate.
Self-Control: Managing emotions is key, especially in stressful situations. A coach who remains calm and composed projects confidence and sets a good example for the kids.
Ability to Create a Positive Environment: A coach must be able to create a safe, welcoming, and positive environment where young athletes feel comfortable learning, growing, and making mistakes without fear.
Pedagogical Sensitivity: A coach must understand that learning is a process and be sensitive to teaching methods that respect the individual learning rhythms and styles of young people.
Collaborative Leadership: They should lead with authority but also be willing to listen and involve young athletes in the decision-making process, encouraging the development of critical thinking and responsibility.

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Who trains the coaches?

Published on September 17, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: formazione.

For most young people, children, and adolescents, a new sports year is beginning, and the same applies to the sports clubs that organize it. During this period, managers are dealing with the practical problems that arise every year, now compounded by the new sports legislation. Youth sports are widespread across thousands of sports clubs, and it is not uncommon for them to struggle to find instructors and coaches, while turnover is rather high. This is certainly not due to a lack of supply, and a major cause stems from the low pay and the difficulty of assigning a suitable number of weekly hours.

I do not want to delve into this issue, but one effect of this situation is that little attention is paid to the professional skills of the worker, while preference is given to those who are willing to accept the conditions offered. Psychological aspects and teaching methodology are largely ignored, and it is certainly not uncommon for young coaches and instructors to find themselves doing a job for which they are unprepared.

I mention this because, along with my colleagues, we supervise about 150 theses a year in sports psychology within the field of motor sciences, and I can say that after six months of thesis work, these graduate students have acquired significant psychological knowledge and skills in the specific area they have chosen, which will benefit the work they are going to undertake.

A similar path would also be needed within sports federations or sports organizations. Taking a course, even with 10 hours of psychology, obviously does not represent a professional added value, but it may help to gain greater awareness of certain aspects of one’s work.

In my opinion, this is a big problem, because only a few decide to train themselves through personal investment, while the majority do not take this path. It is a problem that sports clubs should address, and in turn, present to their respective federations.

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Coaching athletes to take decisions

Published on September 16, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: Decidere.

In speaking with adolescents who practice sports, I have noticed that it is not always a given that they can clearly explain what they do in training or in competition, nor can they identify their areas for improvement and their specific skills.

While this might be somewhat acceptable for those who train only three times a week, in my opinion, it is not acceptable for athletes who train daily and participate in meaningful competitive events. Furthermore, long-term athlete development is a process that, for most sports—except those requiring early specialization—envisions that starting from the age of 14 or 15, the primary goal of training is to learn how to compete.

But how can this objective be achieved by someone who is unable to comprehensively articulate their skills and explain how they intend to approach competition?

In team sports, it is often the case that the coach guides the team from the sidelines as if it were made up of automatons, rather than young individuals with specific thoughts on how the game should be played. This applies equally to all situational and tactically dominant sports, such as tennis, table tennis, fencing, and others. There are certain sports, more than others, where taking responsibility for one’s decisions and evaluating their impact during competition is an essential part of the athlete’s development, both as a person and as a competitor. No coach should impede this process, nor should they substitute the athlete’s decision-making with their own.

This process should already be integrated into training, so that it may find its most effective application during competition. In conclusion, we should train athletes to make decisions and to experience the resulting positive or negative outcomes. Let us teach them to practice a thoughtful sport that enables them to feel autonomous, self-determined, and aware of both their competencies and their mistakes.

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Football for your with autism

Published on September 12, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments

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The lack of coach training in sports

Published on September 12, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: formazione.

As often happens at the beginning of each school year, there is much discussion about the role of teachers, parents, new rules regarding smartphone use, and everything that doesn’t work well in our Italian school system. I’ve already written several blog posts on this topic.

When it comes to educating young people, we are well aware of how much sport can serve as a tool for growth and development if used in the best way. The question remains: who is responsible for training coaches and instructors? Graduates in sports science leave university with a significant body of psychological knowledge, but they haven’t developed the ability to apply it during their studies. The conflicts between CONI and Sport Salute have drastically reduced training opportunities and the number of courses. The remaining training activities are carried out by individual federations, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, hampered by numerous constraints that a National School of Sport used to overcome in terms of both the quality and quantity of training proposals, as well as the experience and expertise of the instructors. Additionally, it has been several years since the only Italian journal of sports science was last published, apparently due to these institutional issues.

It is also unthinkable that sports like soccer, volleyball, athletics, and swimming—just to name a few—have different training programs when the basic principles of an educational path aimed at young people are essentially similar, regardless of the specific sport involved.

It is interesting to note that in the most widely practiced sports, it is often the sports clubs themselves, which have an in-house psychologist, that provide on-field training support to their instructors and offer assistance to families and young athletes. This is common in tennis and youth soccer, as their respective federations formally require the inclusion of a psychologist within each club. In the tennis and padel federation, these psychologists must have qualified through a first-level mental coach course, open only to psychologists. In the soccer federation, the psychologist must have completed a master’s degree in sports psychology.

As is often the case in Italy, institutional shortcomings are directly overcome at the grassroots level by those who work directly with young people.

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The elderly years: the age of experimentation

Published on September 10, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: vecchiaia.

The writer Erri De Luca interprets elderly years as the age of experimentation. As soon as I heard this perspective, I found myself embracing an idea of life in these years that corresponds to my current way of living. We move forward into the unknown; our bodies are certainly no longer what they were when we were young, or even just in our fifties. They no longer respond as before, yet they still possess a strength and endurance that, just a few decades ago, would have been considered extraordinary, limited to a few exceptional human beings. Today, however, this is a common trait shared by many people. Therefore, being self-aware, knowing how to preserve oneself while also improving our intellectual, social, and physical abilities, must be seen as a daily goal—not as an attempt to preserve youth, which is, of course, no longer there.

Following this path means committing to the realization of a personal growth project that will continue as long as we have the capacity to pursue it. It is not a challenge with oneself, nor a race against time; for me, it is a way to continue giving meaning to daily life, which is filled with professional work, interpersonal relationships, and physical training. It means living each day in a way that leaves us satisfied with how we spend our time, continuing along this path toward the unknown. Because the obstacles that will inevitably arise tomorrow to limit this way of life are unforeseeable, and when they do appear, we will think about how to face them and move beyond them.

It’s similar to when fog descends in the mountains: you slow down so as not to lose your way, stop to look for the next reference point, and only then call out to your companion who stayed back at the last visible signpost. You reunite and continue in this way until the end of the trail. In everyday life, I try to proceed in the same manner—always moving forward but slowing down when necessary. Old age helps to maintain this approach, as physical and mental recovery is slower and must be respected if one wants to go far. So, let’s move forward joyfully into this new world of old age.

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30 years since I began working in clay shooting mental coaching

Published on September 9, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments

This year marks 30 years since I began working in clay shooting. It’s an important milestone that spans most of my professional life, and I’ve been able to reach it thanks to the trust of the organizations and athletes I’ve worked with, the curiosity I’ve shown towards these sports, and the perseverance and desire for improvement that have always guided me.

I was 39 years old when I was introduced by the federal doctor, Francesco Fazi, to President Luciano Rossi and the technical commissioners of the three disciplines (trap, skeet, and double trap). They decided to include me as a psychologist within the national teams. I must admit that I knew nothing about this sport, especially its psychological implications and the emotional states of the shooters during competitions. Certainly, it was easy to say that mistakes were caused by competitive stress, but how could I be of help to athletes who lost a competition by just one target, perhaps hitting 121 out of 125 when making it to the finals required hitting just one more? So how could we improve performance by that little bit (one more target), which made all the difference between a win and a loss?

That was the task I was given, and watching the first competitions, it wasn’t at all clear what the approach should be on each shooting station when a target was hit compared to when it was missed. The coaches helped me understand how the sport worked, and the shooters themselves began to share with me how they experienced the competitions, their thoughts and emotions, their internal dialogue at various moments before and during the competition, during breaks between rounds, and before making a mistake. I spent a lot of time with them, right up to the 2000 Olympics in Australia, attending the European Championships, World Championships, and training camps every year. Meanwhile, in 1998, I also started working with the shooters of the Fiamme Oro, coached by Pierluigi Pescosolido, with whom I worked weekly until the London Olympics in 2012.

The work I did with the Italian shooters, among the best in the world, gave me the opportunity to start working at the international level. This opportunity was provided by Marcello Dradi, who contacted me to provide consultancy to Indian and Iranian shooters, for whom he was the coach. It was a collaboration that opened me up to different worlds and mentalities, and it continued with Dradi as a consultant for the Chinese national trap team until the beginning of COVID, when it obviously came to an end. In those same years, I also prepared James Galea, an established Maltese doctor, who was motivated to become a professional shooter. We worked together intensively for several years, and thanks to him, I was offered a psychological consultancy for the Maltese national team in the year leading up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

In recent years, my involvement with the world of clay shooting has decreased, but this year I spent a week in Taiwan conducting a theoretical and practical course on psychological training in clay shooting and target shooting. In the practical part, I worked with their national athletes, and one of them, shooter Lee Meng Yuan, won the bronze medal in skeet at his Olympic debut. I hope I was helpful to him, even if just by 0.1 percent.