Lacrosse Tip

The Mental Side of the Game

As athletes, we spend so much time focusing on growing skills and honing techniques with our body. Whether it's an off handed shot on the run in lacrosse, or landing the perfect jump in gymnastics, our body's need to be trained to perform these high level and complex tasks. With that being said, I believe there to be a significant gap in the amount of time spent in comparison to the mental side of the game. By focusing on the mental side of sport, many athletes have the opportunity to pounce on a HUGE advantage against their opponents.

When you make a mistake in a game, how do you react emotionally? Have you trained your mind to forget about the last play and move on, or do you tend to harp on that mistake and lose sight of what's right in front of you? As athletes, we tend to be our harshest critics. We see ourselves making the perfect play, and (shocker) things don't often go as planned, yet we let our emotions get the best of us time and time again. Having the mental capacity to stay calm and composed in the most hectic of times is not something you are born with, this is a learned skill. Athletes that choose to invest time and effort into training their minds to handle any situation tend to be the ones who make a name for themselves.

Below is a book that encapsulates what I've only briefly mentioned here. My explanation is truly only the tip of the iceberg. I read this book a year or so after I graduated from college athletics to prepare for the pro level, and my first thought was "man, I wish I read this sooner!"

If you or someone you know takes athletics seriously, I highly recommend this book as a gateway into the vast world of mental preparation. I hope it helps you as much as it helped me. Good Luck out there!!

Best,
Martin Bowes
Boston Cannons Midfielder
MJBowesLacrosse.com

Xcelerate Nike Lacrosse Camps
As former collegiate and professional players ourselves, we understand the dedication it takes to play at an elite level. We look forward to sharing our knowledge, experience, and passion for lacrosse with young men who are enthusiastic about reaching their full potential.