Favorite Photos This Week

Here are a few of my favorite photos capturing Week 7 of Doc Wayne Girls and Boys Flag Football.

do the good, 

RR

www.docwayne.org 

Practical Sport Psychology Skills for Goalkeepers

If you are a goalkeeper, or coach one, you understand it is one of the most mentally challenging positions in sport. Here are a few sport psych tips! Please send me a note at rebekahconwayroulier@gmail.com for assistance implementing them. 

RR

Refocusing

·         Let your goalkeepers know that their feelings before the game are normal and part of their pre-game routine. Nerves are often part of the experience and can even be helpful. 

·         Deep breathing

·         Trigger focus (tapping the post, tapping your shin guard with your cleat, walking across the penalty spot). Use this trigger focus to be forgetful, clear your head and focus on the next play. 

·         Cue word or phrase (can be written on their gloves as a reminder)

Visualization

·         Imagery of your best self.

·         “Mental practice” is important spend time on. The body does not differentiate between the real and the imagined.  

Mastering Mental Skills

·         New skills take time (don't try to learn a new skill on game day).

·         Put effort into it!

Playing not Performing

·         Focus on the little things you are doing well when mental skills, practice or the game aren’t going well.

·         Build on small successes.

Expand on positive emotions

·         When the ball is in the attacking third, dwell on the feelings of accomplishment and positive emotions.

·         This can help you portray confidence, poise, and a sense of control to your team and the opponent through verbal and non-verbal communication.  

Know your strengths (or your athletes' strengths)!

·         Building on success might also mean leaning on your strengths. It's okay not to be great at everything. Some of the greatest athletes are known for only focusing on their errors, also see your strengths and what you do well. 

·         Each goalkeeper is different.

Play-Moments of Relief

I was observing a young girl having fun in a park this Memorial Day weekend and couldn't help but think of "moments of relief" desperately needed by victims of complex trauma. Sport (and the simple joy of play) provides relief from the burden of grief, sadness, abandonment, loneliness, and a variety of feelings that haunt trauma victims constantly. Being able to play on the swings or be part of a team allows them to leave these feelings behind for a few moments or possibly an hour or more. This is a gift that can't be underestimated. 

do the good,
RR
www.docwayne.org

Doc Wayne Video

Stay tuned for the new Doc Wayne program video (to be released soon)! It will be posted on our youtube page DocWayneDtG. In the meantime, please check out our posted videos!

Coaches Can (and Should) Play Too!

As a coach, it's important not to lose touch with your love of the game. Before youth games, our staff at Doc Wayne can often be found playing soccer, basketball or flag football (after everything is set up of course!).

do the good,

RR

www.docwayne.org

Score Keeping for Outcomes

While delivering a training this past weekend a thought-provoking topic came up. The question was posed, “How do you keep score in a way that reinforces your program’s values?”

The question assumes that you are willing to redesign your program, league or activity planning and that a winner and non-winner are desired. 

If this is the case, let the brainstorming begin! The possibilities are endless. Awarding points and declaring “winners” based upon goals, baskets scored, touchdowns or other typical methods can be a percentage of the scoring system (or not figure into the score at all).

Determine the outcomes you desire to see, work backwards and create a scoring system that puts the team, individuals or coaches who are displaying these outcomes or skills on top.

do the good, 

RR

www.docwayne.org  

Doc Wayne Girls All-Star Game Video

The Doc Wayne MetroWest Girls Program celebrated it's mid-season  Flag Football All-Star Game today (May, 15th). All-Stars were selected by their coaches and awarded in two categories:

1. DtG Skills
2. Athletic Skills

The Doc Wayne Program is known for it's incredibly impactful do the good (DtG) life skills curriculum that embeds key concepts into sport through teen friendly slogans.

In addition to the All-Star Game, every player was invited to participate in a skills competition, challenging them to reach for their potential in many areas (throwing, catching, agility, running, etc.). Individual scores were kept, but comparisons were not made to others.

RR

www.docwayne.org