- Jul 5, 2011
- 15,300
- 23,092
- AFL Club
- Collingwood
I frequently hear our team being referred to as "mentally weak". So many on our list seem to play on confidence, then drop their head when something goes wrong. We have multiple forwards who miss shots on goal from less than 20m out. We have multiple defenders who hit up opposition players lace out in our defensive 50. We are a young side, but it isn't just the young players shitting themselves on a regular basis.
Another issue: there is no doubt that "momentum" is a huge thing in aussie rules; it's amazing how one goal can lead to another, then another... likewise, one goal leaked to the opposition can quickly multiply into several more. Why is "momentum" a thing? Why can't the players just play as if they have the momentum, even if the opposition have kicked the last two goals? Can't they talk to themselves positively and "fake it until they make it"?
I recall reading that Cloke was working with a sports psychologist. I saw him say in an interview that he had started using meditation and imagery when lining up for a set shot. Whatever he has tried, I think it has failed thus far. Seeing him miss from 4m out in that VFL game, then flinch when the ball came at him last week, I feel it's safe to say he isn't in a great place psychologically with his footy this year.
I found a link to the article: http://m.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news...ist-for-goalkicking-help-20150421-1mpwke.html
I was wondering if anyone knew what program we have in place in terms of sports psychology? Does the entire team get spoken to by an experienced sports psychologist? Are they doing a good enough job, or should they be under pressure along with our fitness and coaching staff?
I'm not suggesting this one aspect of our club is the answer to all our woes, but being a large and wealthy club, we can surely expect that we are striving for excellence from every angle?
I wonder if there are some gun psychologists from American footy that we could poach, who could teach our list to create their own momentum and confidence, how to calmly nail the easy set shots that so many of them miss, how to give the 100% effort that our game plan demands, how to believe that they are capable of being winners again.
Interested in people's thoughts.
Another issue: there is no doubt that "momentum" is a huge thing in aussie rules; it's amazing how one goal can lead to another, then another... likewise, one goal leaked to the opposition can quickly multiply into several more. Why is "momentum" a thing? Why can't the players just play as if they have the momentum, even if the opposition have kicked the last two goals? Can't they talk to themselves positively and "fake it until they make it"?
I recall reading that Cloke was working with a sports psychologist. I saw him say in an interview that he had started using meditation and imagery when lining up for a set shot. Whatever he has tried, I think it has failed thus far. Seeing him miss from 4m out in that VFL game, then flinch when the ball came at him last week, I feel it's safe to say he isn't in a great place psychologically with his footy this year.
I found a link to the article: http://m.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news...ist-for-goalkicking-help-20150421-1mpwke.html
I was wondering if anyone knew what program we have in place in terms of sports psychology? Does the entire team get spoken to by an experienced sports psychologist? Are they doing a good enough job, or should they be under pressure along with our fitness and coaching staff?
I'm not suggesting this one aspect of our club is the answer to all our woes, but being a large and wealthy club, we can surely expect that we are striving for excellence from every angle?
I wonder if there are some gun psychologists from American footy that we could poach, who could teach our list to create their own momentum and confidence, how to calmly nail the easy set shots that so many of them miss, how to give the 100% effort that our game plan demands, how to believe that they are capable of being winners again.
Interested in people's thoughts.