Changing Perception of Hypnosis for Athletic Performance and Success

Professional, collegiate and (in many instances) high school sports programs have recognized and invested in the mental conditioning of their athletes.  Focus, confidence and clarity of purpose is now viewed as important to success, as physical strength, durability and skill set.

Here is a link to an article just published by the Washington Post about how the Washington Nationals’ Director of Mental Conditioning is helping the team’s players compete at an elite level.

In Baseball, Mental Coaches Were Once Seen as for the “Weak Minded.”  Now They’re Essential

Expect Success

Span's expectation for success set the stage for last night's victory.

A 10-game winning streak in professional baseball is tough to pull off.  Four walk-off victories in five days as part of that streak is a near impossibility. Yet, that is exactly what the Washington Nationals have accomplished during the past two weeks.

Yesterday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks was a pitching and defensive exhibition when Nationals center field Denard Span came to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning.  With no runs on the board for either team, Span hit a bloop single to center field.

According to the Washington Post, Span arrived at first base and thought, “Here we go again.”

Diamondbacks’ first baseman Mark Trumbo whispered to Span, “Just how you guys like it.”

Span proceeded to steal second base and then trot home with the winning run after the Diamondbacks third baseman threw wild to first on a relatively basic ground ball off the bat of Anthony Rendon.

Nationals win!

When asked during his post game presser about the string of victories, Nationals manager Matt Williams emphasized the daily preparation, training and effort his players invest to put themselves in a position to achieve success.  Yet, I’m confident the Diamondbacks put forth a comparable level of preparation.

The wild card here may very well be an expectation for success stirring in the Nationals dugout.  The team is confident it will achieve, while, at least last night, the Diamondbacks expected failure.

Success is the intersection of talent, preparation and confidence.