On the evening before the championship game, in preparation for the colossal rematch, both coaches Nick Saban (Alabama) and Les Miles (LSU) chose to take their teams to the movies. The difference was in the movies they chose. Saban decided to let his team view the movie “Red Tails” (The inspiring true story of the Tuskegee airmen who courageously fought to not only help win the war against Nazi Germany but the war against racism in the country they were fighting for as well.)

On the other hand, Miles decided to let his team view the movie “Contraband” (A fictitious story about an infamous retired drug/money smuggler being forced back into the business in order to bail out his brother who is also in the smuggling business.)

Less than 24 hours away from kickoff, one team was in a theater experiencing the true story of real American heroes who sacrificed everything they had for a larger cause while the other was watching a fictional story of counterfitting and drug running.

Which team do you believe was more mentally prepared to play in a championship game? Coach Saban even mentioned how he used a saying from the movie to help motivate his players for the next day. The pilots in the movie, Red Tails stated: “From the last plane, the bullet, the last man, the last minute we fight and we always stay with the mission.” Even if LSU had won the game, I doubt Les Miles would have been quoting a mantra from Contraband.

The images and environment that athletes are in prior to competition can have a direct influence on their level of play. Studies have shown that factors such as motivation, anxiety, and self-efficacy, can all be manipulated by what athlete’s see/hear/and experience before competition. Pick your movie wisely…

About the Author: Jake Cooper is an associate of DRB, helping athletes, coaches, and teams build mental toughness. He is currently a graduate student in Sport Psychology at Ball State University. He was a four-year letter-winner and captain of Taylor University football team. He can be reached at jake.cooper@drrobbell.com or follow him on twitter: @coop_a_loop55

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” I enjoy watching you play.”

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(Getty images)

A brief recap, he dropped the snap and fell on the ball, but he immediately turned to his center and started yelling at him (indicative of a incorrect cadence.) Then the camera shot to him on the sideline yelling at himself…

Here is the QB in the title game, leading the #1 ranked team, and best defense in the country, and Jordan Jefferson’s reaction after the first drive was like he threw an OT interception. Fast forward to later in the game, when he clearly threw the oddest of interceptions (the one he tried to shovel to his running back, Spencer Ware), he once again starting jawing at his teammate.

It is the reaction to the event and it important games, and moments, we MUST keep our composure. When Jordan Jefferson “lost it” after the first series, it was reminiscent of Moises Alou and the Steve Bartman incident (but even that was a more tense moment).  I still question if the Florida Marlins would have gained such an advantage had Alou kept his composure in that situation.

Jordan Jefferson was in trouble after the opening series, and he had much more going on internally than we will know, but it is a lesson for us, we must keep our composure and keep our heads when everyone else is losing theirs.

Dr. Rob Bell is the author of Mental Toughness Training for Golf, and AASP certified Sport Psychology consultant. He consults with athletes and coaches at all levels helping build and enhance their own mental toughness. His website is www.drrobbell.com and you can find him on Twitter @drrobbell

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Too often, we focus on changing our major shortcomings and the things we are really poor at doing. This is wrong!!! If you want to improve your life, do this simple step instead.

Focus on a top strength in your life, an area in which you excel, and improve THAT. In the movie Top Gun, the fighter pilots didn’t attend the Top Gun school because they were bad. They went because there were already the best of the best, “the elite,” and Top Gun made them even better! Likewise, Peter Shankman, recently tweeted to his 100K+ followers, “ Resolutions don’t work…rituals work.” Exactly! Assess your life and improve on your strengths.

We do much better in life, using our existing routines to improve, as opposed to dealing with setbacks and “white-knuckling” our efforts. Momentum is a powerful tool in sports and in life, because when things are going well, we are more energized, positive, relaxed, and confident. When we have momentum, we “keep doing what we’re doing.” Thus, the best way to increase our momentum is to have our routines (i.e., rituals) already in place. Momentum is similar to riding a bike, as opposed to running. If we stop running, we stop completely. If we stop peddling however, the bike keeps moving…at least for a while.

The purpose of setting goals is progress, not perfection. Thus, improve on your greatest strength. For example, if you already exercise, find a way to improve on your existing routine, as opposed to feeling like you have to start running. If you are an awesome baker, make 2012 the best baking year ever. If your strength is teaching, assess small ways that you can become even better. Improve upon your greatest strength.

Dr. Rob Bell is the author of Mental Toughness Training for Golf, and AASP certified Sport Psychology consultant. He consults with athletes and coaches at all levels helping build and enhance their own mental toughness. His website is www.drrobbell.com and you can find him on Twitter @drrobbell

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I was soaking wet and covered in mud before the 1^st mile of the race. There was an early obstacle-Chernobyl Jacuzzi-that consisted of jumping into an ice-bath, and going completely underwater. It literally took my breath away! Outside in the 40-degree weather, there was no other option, but to keep running.

I have competed in marathons, triathlons, masters swimming events, and other road races. During races and even training, we can succumb to the “clock” and place our standard of success on our time.  During the Tough Mudder, there was no idea about the next obstacle, so there was no expectation on time, and just a complete absorption in the race. In addition, other races require a monitor on “how we feel.” Since I was cold and had to get in and out of mud and water all day, it was difficult to actually monitor fatigue, which again resulted in being in the moment. To be honest, once your wet and cold, running actually helps. 

Don’t Whine: Kids Whine is one of the mantras of Tough Mudder. Some people did complain along the way, and a few even avoided the obstacles and mud pits. I felt that they just did not get the full experience. I on the other hand was so excited throughout the entire race because I knew that there was no obstacle that I couldn’t or wouldn’t do and no way that I would stop running.

I was pleased of “joining” up with two fellow Mudders early on during the race, a Marine and a Post-Office worker name Bill, who wore a green suit. Finally, I was most proud that I made it across the Monkey Bars without falling in, and yes, I got shocked by 10,000 volts three times during the last obstacle. I look forward to doing it again.

“Do something everyday for no other reason than you would rather not do it.”- William James.

Dr. Rob Bell is the author of Mental Toughness Training for Golf, and AASP certified Sport Psychology consultant. He consults with athletes and coaches at all levels helping build and enhance their own mental toughness.

His website is www.drrobbell.com and you can find him on Twitter @drrobbell

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1) Passion: The best possess an unquenchable thirst to see how good that they can become. This passion translates into a willingness and desire for hard work. Dale Earnhardt was once in an accident and could not finish his next race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He started the race, but they had to remove him from the car. Here was the greatest race car driver, basically crying, because they had to take him out of the car. He said, “ Nobody loves anything more than my driving a race car.”

Photo: (Kelly Jordan)

2) Competitiveness: The best athletes love to compete and put themselves in situations that test their skills. The competitiveness is more than just beating others; it is the feeling that they get from testing themselves under pressure. I often witness athletes even outside of their own sport, remain so competitive to win regardless of the event (e.g., checkers, sit-ups, darts, pogo-stick, etc.). They may fear losing, but they don’t succumb to that fear, they have an inner confidence and trust in their abilities that they continually compete. As Jimmy Connors once stated, “I hate to lose, more than I love to win.”

(photo: Carol Newsom)

3) Another Gear: If you listen to quality sports announcers close enough, they mention how certain players can change speeds. For example, Emmitt Smith holds the record for career rushing yardage in the NFL, and while few state that he is the best ball carrier of all time, he was nonetheless able to hit the gap successfully and turn downfield—He had another gear. The best are able to muster up the inner fortitude and the “it” factor which allows them to finish strong. They simply have another gear…

These skills may be more innate with the best, but they can be learned and cultivated. Honestly assess your own mental game and answer which of these characteristics do you possess and which one’s need strengthened.

About the Author:

Dr. Rob Bell is the author of Mental Toughness Training for Golf, and AASP certified Sport Psychology consultant. He consults with athletes and coaches at all levels helping build and enhance their own mental toughness. His website is www.drrobbell.com and you can find him on Twitter @drrobbell or email:drrobbell@gmail.com.

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But he was also a a man who made things happen

AND understood the importance of teamwork and surrounding himself with quality

people.

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Scott Hoch, 1989 Masters

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