Coach Your Brains Out

1:26 - How can coaches use mindfulness to alleviate the pressure and stress that athletes struggle with? 2:43 - Circumstantial effects of mindfulness exercises (different feedback/reception). 3:45 - Describing mindfulness practices that Shane has found to be helpful and effective. 4:58 - Why is it so important to acknowledge mindfulness and how we respond to certain emotions, especially those that...

1:44 - How would the key ideas of coaching fit in with a constraints led/ecological approach? 3:31 - Explaining Frans Bosch’s idea of “attractors” in as a guide for achieving specific skills in athletes. 7:11 - If athletes are too knowledgeable of the checkpoints involved towards a key, does that take away from the variability that allows for greater stabilization? 10:37 - Why does Shane allow his...

1:48 - What has changed for Shane since the last CYBO episode he was interviewed in? 2:34 - How did Shane adjust to coaching different positions? 3:59 - Has Shane’s experience within the last few years coaching different positions allowed him to gain a perspective of football that benefits his capability as a coach? 4:43 - What has changed for Tom in the last few years since he was last interviewe...

1:22 - What kind of traits define the most effective leaders? 4:54 - What kind of traits are more “myth” than actually useful for great leaders? 7:02 - How do leaders successfully build trust from their coaching staff and their teammates? 8:55 - Given Sean’s belief in having a solid vision for a team, how can leaders clarify their thoughts or plans for the future? 10:57 - How can leaders adapt to...

1:26 - A little bit about Sean’s background and how it connects to the story of his recently published book. Find his book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/If-Gold-Our-Destiny-Mavericks/dp/1538154854 6:28 - Describing Sean’s father’s profession and how it differs from modern day sports psychology. 9:09 - Explaining the backstory of the “Outward Bound experience” as mentioned in Sean’s book....

1:39 - Outlining the benefits and drawbacks of specialization and generalization in sports. 4:28 - To prevent the physical and mental “burn out” of a dedicated athlete, is it beneficial to try spending time playing a similar sport to their main one? (e.g. volleyball and tennis, basketball and soccer). 6:05 - Even at the college level is there a benefit to practicing a “donor” sport in the offseaso...

1:17 - Introducing Joe and explaining how he started becoming heavily invested in the fields of skill acquisition, talent identification, and athlete development. 3:22 - Why do coaches and scouts as a whole struggle with talent identification? 4:47 - Why is it important for coaches to recognize and acknowledge that because humans lack the ability to map out long term decisions, identifying success...

1:23 - Thoughts on what the basis of in-game feedback should be (based on what the coaches think their players need vs. based on what the players want). 2:04 - Should feedback be given based on past success? 3:42 - Defining “guided discovery” and what role it should play when giving feedback. 9:41 - Will forcing athletes to describe concepts and techniques in their own words create a better unders...

1:56 - Introducing today's topic: Feedback (Chapter 4 of the CYBO book). 2:08 - What is effective feedback? 2:59 - In terms of feedback, does “guiding” imply that the athlete is guided to only one solution? Or is it more flexible? 3:36 - How can coaches determine if an athlete is ready to receive feedback? 5:45 - Are TV’s and other video playback devices valuable in giving effective feedback? 7:04...

1:24 - Applying “directness” to communication between Russ and his players. 2:56 - In Russ’ experience, has being direct with his athletes ever backfired? 4:51 - Has there ever been a time where Russ has avoided being direct? 7:48 - Does Russ communicate differently with a group of athletes compared to individuals? And how does he adjust? 10:05 - What kind of messages should coaches communicate to...

1:06 - Introducing Russ, and his legacy as former head coach of the Penn State women's volleyball program. 1:27 - What Russ will miss the most about coaching volleyball at Penn State. 5:33 - Russ’ thoughts on if the strong desire to win can be a developed quality, or if it has to already exist in potential recruits. 7:05 - What can coaches do to develop competitiveness in their players? 9:13 - How...

1:30 - Based on what Andy has seen so far, what are his expectations for the Pirates this season? 2:41 - Will Andy travel with the players this year, or continue working with the coaches on the mental side? 3:18 -  What are environmental constraints, and how can they be used? 6:56 - Explaining the differences between “task” and “environment” 11:43 - Using the example of a high net vs. a low net to...

1:04 - What are pre-mortems and post-mortems and where did they come from? Note: this idea is also referenced by Angie Akers in this previous CYBO episode: https://www.blog.goldmedalsquared.com/podcast/episode/3c92044d/preparing-for-the-olympics-with-angie-akers 4:05 - John’s thoughts on what the most important principles coaches should understand or learn before implementing pre-mortem exercises....

1:09 - Segwaying into this second part, John dives into the second scenario, and explains how it contrasts the scenario with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Showcasing autonomy within the team huddle 2:43 - John’s thoughts on what the coach’s role should be in terms of creating team support and raising morale. 4:24 - Benefits of giving the players/team more autonomy in situations like the Cavaliers and W...

1:30 - John’s role in the Olympic process, and which teams he is currently working with. 3:27 - Common themes or occurrences John has noticed within high level teams that he has worked with. 8:24 - How and why do these themes occur in these scenarios? “Beginning with the end in mind” - determining the purpose of and goals of the team 10:46 - Diving into specific scenarios, particularly one from wh...

1:14 - The most important recovery principles that coaches should understand. Building blocks of recovery 3:36 - Why sleep is so important in the recovery process. 7:56 - Given a 10 minute daily period spent focused on recovery, what are the most important principles that athletes should prioritize. Geared individually - the most effective recovery methods are different for each person 11:43 - Bea...

1:25 - Describing Beau’s experience winning the Super Bowl as a chiropractor for the Los Angeles Rams. 2:53 - Recalling how Beau started working with the Rams.  5:02 - Describing Beau’s “three week tryout” period with the Rams. 6:36 - Beau’s perspective and observations about the Rams’ culture that helps them be successful.  “We not me” culture 9:36 - Examples of the “we not me” culture implemente...

1:11 - Exciting news for Kasey. 1:56 - Trying to keep ecological dynamics as a part of Kasey’s coaching style. Guiding set of principles 3:45 - Introduction to visual occlusion. Anticipating faster 7:51 - Explaining Gaze behavior and how visual occlusion is used to help develop it.  Active v. passive gaze Intercepting objects 10:08 - Why should athletes take time away from studying and visualizing...

1:58 - Convincing younger athletes to be open to taking the longer, but more self-fulfilling route of discovery Lauren described in the last episode. 4:43 - Why is impostor syndrome so common in even successful athletes? Explaining it in the context of athletics Possibly American athletic culture contributing to it? 7:32 - What does Lauren mean by “examining the value of your work” and why is it i...

1:20 - A little bit about Lauren’s swimming career. 2:53 - Lauren’s breakthrough moment, and how she transitioned to help athletes with their mental game. 4:12 - Describing the first conversation/meeting with an athlete. Getting athletes to open up 5:48 - What aspects do athletes tend to need the most help with? 7:10 - Where does confidence come from, and how does Lauren instill that within other...

1:26 - Diving into Jon’s idea of WIPs (weekly improvement plans) that were introduced in Episode 1. Are they always 1-on-1 or are they group meetings? 6:08 - Whiteboard where Jon’s players write their two mechanical or technical skills as well as their mental skill. 8:23 - Example of an effective practice focus suggested by players compared to one that is less coachable. 10:24 - Particular stats t...

Newman (episode 1) 1:26 - A little bit about John’s experience in the last 3 years as the 10th head coach of the women’s volleyball program at The University of New Mexico. Originally an assistant coach - transitioned into a bigger role Transitioning from specializing in a certain skill area to having a role in every aspect 3:24 - Important takeaways from the recent season where UNM had a record o...

1:28 - Andy’s primary focus of study, and what he has his PhD in. What he does for the Pittsburgh Pirates Motor Learning + Sports Psychology 2:45 - What is part vs. whole practice? Interconnected technique and skills Breaking down the parts of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony Connecting sports and musical analogies 7:06 - If you mess up the first part, can you continue with the rest of the parts? 8:20 - H...

1:30 - When asking athletes open-ended questions meant to stimulate their own thought, how important is it to leave them time/space to answer it? 2:34 - Guidelines for what kind of questions to ask. 4:33 - Effectively phrasing your questions. 5:30 - What can and should coaches do with the feedback from their questions. 7:04 - Examples of reflective listening. 8:42 - Working in listening techniques...

2:50 - Introducing Dr. Fader and the topics of this episode. 3:46 - Becoming a better listener. 4:22 - What Dr. Fader hopes to accomplish with his book. 5:38 - Why many already existing programs are ineffective with helping people struggling with addiction. 6:10 - How to actively engage with people with feelings of ambivalence. 6:40 - Making trust and communication a skill that is actively taught...