Mental Performance Training
for Sports.
Mental Training for Your Best Performance

Question: What percentage of sport is mental?
Answer: Most athletes agree that a large percentage of any sport is mental.

Question: What percentage of mistakes made in sport are mental mistakes?
Answer: Most athletes agree that the majority of mistakes are mental mistakes.

Question: What percentage of time do athletes spend on mental training?
Answer: Most athletes spend minimal or no time at all.

Even though a large percentage of any sport is mental, AMI finds that athletes spend most of their time only practicing the technical aspect of their sport (shooting free throws, batting practice, hitting balls at the driving range, practicing tennis serves and net play, etc.) and spend minimal or no time on the mental aspect. If the mental aspect plays such as large role, as stated by most athletes, then focusing only on the technical and physical aspects seem contradictory. Minimal mental training is not due to a lack of willingness or desire, but rather a lack of knowledge on how to practice the mental game. The technical and physical parts of any sport are extremely important, such as fitness, skill, and ability, but mental training is necessary to complement these areas for optimal performance.

Most sports have a fundamental TEAM component as well. Even with individual sports, such as golf and tennis, there are team aspects that have a dramatic impact upon performance. Athletes have to work together for ultimate success, develop and maintain great leadership and communication, have confidence in each other, motivate one another, maintain a common vision, and know how to work through adversity and conflict. Furthermore, coaches in any sport need to be able to relate to and communicate with their athletes in effective ways, address adversity, motivate and instill confidence, and prepare themselves and team for each game and each practice. These are just a small number of the areas that AMI offers individual players, coaches, teams, and leagues.

AMI’s philosophy is that it requires five key components to perform your best in any sport, whether it is as an individual or team: Physical, Technical, Tactical, Mental, and Personal. The Athletic Mind Institute specializes in working with the Mental and Personal components of success, but promotes emphasis and collaboration in all areas.

The Athletic Mind Institute provides personalized MENTAL training in areas such as setting and achieving goals, performing under pressure, maintaining focus, dealing with distractions, imagery, self-talk, proper breathing, teamwork, effective communication, handling mistakes and adversity, confidence, motivation, and playing in the zone. Without proper mental training, a team or individual athlete will never be able to reach full potential. AMI also recognizes that all athletes must balance their personal lives for maximum performance in sports. Whether it is balancing academics, relationships, or any other type of stress, AMI helps athletes and teams make certain that outside issues are handled and optimal performance takes place both on and off the field.

The Athletic Mind Institute is completely dedicated to helping you become the best athlete and team possible. First, we work with other specialists to make certain that you receive comprehensive training, such as working closely with coaches, trainers, and strength and conditioning experts. Second, we pride ourselves in providing experiential training in the athletic arena - since you have to “mentally perform” on the field or court, you need to “mentally practice” on the field or court. Third, through live observations, we become extremely familiar with individual and team mental tendencies and build mental training programs specifically for you. Also, whether it is in person, on the phone, or through email, AMI works with athletes and teams throughout the country and our success can be seen with the PGA, LPGA, Major League Soccer, college All-Americans, high school state champions, nationally ranked youth, and many individual athletes making the successful jump from high school to college.

Common AMI mental training topics:

• Teamwork – All Functioning as One
• Creating the Common Mission and Team Goals
• Mental Toughness
• Imagery/Visualization for Team and Individual Success
• Five Components for Getting in the Zone
• Five Components of Becoming the Ultimate Coach
• “Mental Coaching” for Coaches
• Setting the Plan – Ultimate Goal Commitment Strategies
• To The End - Concentration and Focus for the Entire Game
• Mental Recovery between Competitions and Practices
• Mental Recovery from Mistakes and Ineffective Performances
• Pre-Competition Mental Preparation
• Pre-Practice Mental Preparation
• Tension-Free Performance for Flow in Sport
• Performing Under Pressure – Competing When It Counts
• How You Practice is How You Play – Ultimate Keys to Successful Practice
• Quieting the Mind and Letting Your Body “Just Do It”
• “Getting Pumped” and Performing No Matter What
• Walking the Talk – Successful Self-Talk Strategies
• Energy Awareness in Competition
• Mental Performance Profiling for Your Mental Strengths and Weaknesses
• Mentally Evaluating Performance and Getting Better
• Motivation – Keys for Maintaining Motivation Day to Day and Throughout the Season

If you would like additional information on these programs, services and prices or have other questions, please feel to contact us at 614.874.0178 or write to Dr. Todd M. Kays at drkays@athleticmindinstitute.com.