Picking up the pace on mental skills training

The end of January is just around the corner and things will begin falling into place in the high school wrestling world. In Wisconsin, the tournament season begins with the conference tournament and is followed by the state tournament series. There is a tournament each of the four weekends in February that young athletes put their blood, sweat and tears into with their "eyes on the prize."

From the outside, this is a very exciting time for many. Behind the scenes, however, turmoil takes over in the lives of some prominent athletes. I spend more time discussing purpose, value and significance over the next month than I do breaking down technique and video. I cherish this role because I feel like I have the opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of young men. Certainly, it's nice that those talks help clear some space in their minds and hearts to achieve their dreams, however, what's more is that they become pivotal moments in their development as men. This is when we pick up the pace on mental skills training.

I'm never surprised by what I hear from teenagers in my office. The concerns and weight they carry varies drastically. Some are simply looking for a mental edge while others are looking for ways out of the pressure they feel. Some express their dislike for the sport and want to quit when it's time to reap what they have sown. Some are scared and don't know what to do next. Some are dealing with family dynamics that are less than desirable and it greatly affects their performance. It's all become par for the course in my role. Most of the time it is as simple as comparing our behind-the-scenes to the highlight reel of others. Sometimes it's more.

Those who confront their anxiety and fears while continuing to train mentally are able to do their best when all the chips are on the table. The athletes that bottle thing up and don't address them usually become a casualty at the hands of their own mind. Even the most novice fan can pinpoint the athlete who falls short of his potential and gets tagged with "it was all mental." I seek out those cases and enjoy helping turn it around.

I have four very difficult cases already and I'm eager to see positive changes in each of them. Many more will make that sheepish knock on my office door over the next few weeks ready to dump their issues in my lap. I'm ready for all of them. In some regard, I believe the attention to mental skills is our "secret weapon" this time of year. Every high school wrestler who walks up the stairs at Victory has already put the time in from a physical stand point and have many resources to maintain their physical prowess. For us, the volume and intensity in the mental skills increases exponentially. Only those close to our program fully grasp this and understand the importance. Outsiders think becoming a champion is all about singles and doubles or being in good physical condition, but that's an extremely small piece of the puzzle.

What separates the boys from the men has nothing to do with physical output or consumption as our sports culture and society believes. Boys become men when they can recognize and handle their emotions properly and accept responsibility. Manhood has nothing to do with the outcome. It's entirely about the process.