CLIENT: NCAA DIVISION 1 ATHLETES

SEEKING SUPPORT

This case study represents individual coaching done with 3 different athletes, each preparing for their rookie year in the NCAA, from 3 different sports as follows:
  1. Harvard – Hockey
  2. Yale – Track & Field
  3. University of San Francisco – Tennis
Each of the athletes above were struggling with the following common themes:
  • Managing high levels of stress associated with the pressures and expectations of being such a high level athlete, at an elite and prestigious academic institution.  
  • Time management – being a student athlete at such a high level, comes with extensive training hours, travel, and hectic schedules, along with the need to manage a rigorous academic course load. There is no doubt it takes extreme discipline and time management skills to manage this workload.                                                
  • Pre-competition & competitive anxiety
  • Confidence
  • Transitioning into a new school, new stage of life (college), and a new team

BRENLEY'S STRATEGY

The first step begins with a one-on-one, 1-hour comprehensive mental game assessment in order to better understand each individual athlete. The assessment evaluates the overall mental game and level of mental toughness of the athlete, establishing a mental aptitude profile. Key components such as overall confidence, focus, motivation levels, emotional control and regulation, thought patterns, and behavioral patterns were assessed. Based off the assessment, the development of a customized training program designed specifically for each of the athletes was developed to strengthen their overall mindset (both on and off the ice or playing field), and build mental performance skills to allow them to break through barriers inhibiting peak performance.

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THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

​Each of these clients completed a customized 10-session mental game training program, followed by ongoing in season support over the course of their school year and season.

The initial 10-session program focused on understanding and effective management of anxiety, developing life skills, such as time management, self-care, and self compassion in sport, and developing a mental performance skill set/toolbox such as self regulation skills, self motivation, and goal setting, attitude and self-talk, performing in the zone, managing pressure and adversity, developing proactive confidence, mental imagery, and the development of a present and process oriented focus.

​Following the 10 sessions of mental skills training, all of these athletes received ongoing support throughout the season and school year. These interactions varied from quick support calls and text messages to full sessions via Skype or FaceTime where we had the opportunity to deal with and manage issues, concerns or stressors as they arose, and work at applying and implementing the skills we covered in the initial 10-session program into action as they moved through their seasons.

RESULTS

INTERESTED IN WORKING
WITH BRENLEY?

If you are a parent, coach, professional, or athlete yourself, who is ready to break through barriers and empower true performance potential, it’s time to find the right program for you.

It’s time to implement the mindset and mental performance strategies to drive yourself with confidence, focus, and clarity, to achieve your highest goals and support those around you to do the same.

It’s time for you to change the game.

Click the button below to choose which level of support will help you get there faster.