Mental Training For Performance Enhancement and Injury Management

This is the first in a series of articles exclusively for www.AmericanFootballMonthly.com by Dr. Raymond Petras, a sports performance and injury management specialist. The Objective The objective of coaching is to enhance performance. We all attempt to do this through practice, strength training and conditioning. I wish to pass on to those of you who are interested, concepts that will aid your coaching. Performance Enhancement Early one spring, Head Football Coach Vic Wallace, University of St. Thomas (UST), MN hired an assistant, “mental” coach, not to work with on-field mechanics, but on-performance enhancement (sports psychology) and injury management. The “Mental” Coach’s Team Training Routine Mondays, mental imagery techniques were stressed. Athletes also were shown how to learn concepts being taught by the coaches. Fridays, the “mental” coach conducted a guided