Blog Posting #23, December 6, 2008 

TEACHING MENTAL TOUGHNESS

There are many definitions for “mental toughness.” But we all know what it is when we see it. Mental toughness is the ability to be at your best when your best is needed, regardless of circumstances, especially in adverse circumstances. The player that is “mentally tough” stands out when the going gets tough. Where adversity will cause some players to allow their thoughts to travel to things not under their control, the mentally tough player delights in the challenge and has complete focus on what has to be done next. In short, mental toughness is the primary sign of a great competitor.

Where does mental toughness come from? How is it acquired? Are we born with that disposition or can it be taught?

It is widely known, over the course of a season or two, the team will generally take on the personality of the coach.  If the coach is emotional on the sidelines, the players tend to play with emotion. If the coach is silently intense, the players will play with intensity. If the coach has the habit of arguing with the officials and complaining about bad calls and the other team’s illegal tactics, the players will do the same. In sports, the “Do as I say, not as I do” instruction never works.

When you go on line to search for articles, definitions, and examples of mental toughness, you will find many formulas and even programs that supposedly teach it. Some of these may do some good, particularly in the area of making players aware they don’t possess it and need it. But no program is going to turn an emotional, out of control, player into one that turns adversity into adventure. No seven-step method can change a player from having a fear of failure into one that sees opportunity instead. No amount of yelling at a player to stay focused is going to make him more focused. In fact, it very well could do the opposite.

It is the demonstration of mental toughness by the coach, in practice and in games, that will create players that are mentally tough. Don’t give them a program; give them a person. Don’t tell them to focus; show them focus. Don’t tell them to compete; show them a competitor. There is nothing more powerful in teaching, than example.

WHAT A COACH CAN DO TO DEMONSTRATE MENTAL TOUGHNESS
ONE: Run a Focused Practice
Practices should be intense and filled with the spirit of progress. Levity during practice may be a healthy thing, but keep it to a minimum and make it brief. Practices should consist of activity followed immediately by activity. If possible, make every drill a conditioning drill and a competitive drill. Don’t ever, ever, joke around with coaches while practice is in progress. Keep your intensity. Keep teaching. Continue to demand perfection. Your intesity and focus will cause your players to have the same.

TWO: Give Mental Toughness Recognition
“Way to stay focused, Jamal. You threw the ball away down there, but came right back and made a great defensive play.” Not only will Jamal get one step closer to mental toughness, but the rest of the players will get the message also. The message is: Mental toughness is important to you.

THREE: Be a Cheerleader In The Good Things, and a Poker Player In The Bad.
If you want to see the epitome of a mentally tough coach, watch Pete Carroll, head football coach of The Univesity of Southern California.  When his players do something good, he becomes a cheerleader. But, when one of his players makes a mistake, even though it may be a costly onee, he becomes a poker player, keeping a straight face and a smile.  After a missed field goal, or a dropped touchdown pass, you may see Coach Carroll throw his head back, bu he immediately follows it with clapping and a confident smile. Nothing is more powerful than that. Nothing teaches mental toughness better than that. As a result, the Trojans rejoice in great plays but, after the bad plays, they immediately dig in and try to make up for the mistake.  

CONCLUSION:
No written word, no oral plea
Can teach our youth what they should be,
Nor all the books on all the shelves.
It’s what the teachers are themselves.
  Anonymous