Why do athletes choke?

Hi Everyone,

Another lockdown here in the UK. Well, England as Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have already been in lockdown. News has been released today that Cat 1 & 2 academies can continue but Cat 3 can only continue at U16 and above. Strange decision and I would like to know the logic behind that. Now you can meet one other person outdoors so does that mean 121 coaching can still happen?

Lastly, before we move on to the top ten, if anyone would like to tell their story and things they’ve found important over their career, please respond to this email. We’ll be doing interviews with our members in December so please get in touch.

Top Ten of the week

1. it's a long read but an insight into why under pressure, athletes choke! even though it's something they've been practicing over and over again sometimes for years!

   https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/nov/05/under-pressure-why-athletes-choke

2. Dan Abrahams giving psychology tips you can pass on to your players.

   Daniel Abrahams @DanAbrahams77

   Some psych ideas for footballers: 1. Develop self-skills: Know you 2. Develop a strong 'soccer image'...but have multiple identities 3. Intelligent practice only 4. Worry less about outcome 5. Have a performance and mindset process on game day 6. Put mindset first when playing

3. Marcelo Bielsa here talking about how he seeings football and our duty as a manager to deliver an aesthetically pleasing version of football that people enjoy. It a debate that will always rage on. football for results or football for entertainment. Obviously, the more professional your setting the more winning becomes the main goal but one of the best coaches I ever had always emphasised freedom and expression to play the game.

   Juani Jimena @JimenaJuani

   Bielsa on the importance of beauty in football. 🥰 #lufc #bielsa

   

4. An interesting segment from a podcast talking about when our brain actually matures. Want to know how old....25! which is crazy when you think we can make some pretty big decisions at 16 and 18 (well in the UK anyway). Something to think about when your designing sessions or even communicating with your players

   https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141164708&t=1604705308085

5. I subscribe to a newsletter by a woman named Anne-Laure Le Cunff, which is based on neuroscience and getting the most from our brains. One article this week is on note-taking whilst reading. Something I do regularly enough but probably should do more of. I always find good parts of a book and want to save it but also hate coming out of the flow of a book. Well if you're like me. See these tips here that may just help you get the best of both worlds.

   https://nesslabs.com/how-to-take-notes-while-reading-a-book?mc_cid=15d7ba6637&mc_eid=990a9ebedf

6. This tweet from Annie Duke made me think a lot about my career in coaching and if how to get the most from it. Now I'm on point three already as are most of you but I've never really thought of number 1 o two. Should we have a list of club coaches/youth teams coaches we wish to connect to, get advice from, and watch sessions. Something to think about. I know from my other job this is a major way to improve, people actually take it as a compliment if you ask them to be a mentor. Just make sure if they do say yes, you set out the rules for engagement and make the most of their precious time.~

   Annie Duke @AnnieDuke

   Thoughtful read from my friend @m1shti on how to marry your passion and your career. 1) make a wish list of mentors/connectors 2) email email email 3) figure out what your passions are and explore the career space to find a match

   

   Mishti (Vidushi Sharma) @m1shti

   Last fall, I didn't know if I'd ever find a job that made me happy. Today, I've created my dream startup role at @highlightideas. How? Thoughtful, steady outreach to inspiring people. A few yeses unlocked the rest. My story via private email screenshots: https://t.co/BbmI7xeHIg https://t.co/D45ygaxdNU

7. Love this thread as it brings the realities of life to us rather than the social media posts or talks. The difference between real life and posted/told life can be very very different. You're doing everything you can in the circumstances don't try to do the same as someone you see or hear about.

   Rob Pacey @strengthofsci

   Social media can become very overwhelming very quickly. This is especially the case for S&C coaches wanting to make a name for themselves. I personally have become disillusioned by it many times for many different reasons. However, there's hope. Social media coach realities 👇🏽

8. How do you implement struggle into your sessions and how do you equip your players to respond to them?

   Informed Practitioner in Sport @InformedinSport

   Struggle is integral to achieving success in the long run. Difficult times often prove pivotal - as such they can have wildly diverging outcomes. The challenge for the grown ups is ensuring performers are equipped to respond in ways that serve rather than sabotage the mission

   

9. Have a listen to this podcast from Carlo Ancelotti's son and assistant manager Davide. I do feel sometimes we get stuck in systems and formations

   Wyscout @Wyscout

   “The system is just a number. What is important is the principles, to recognize the spaces, to recognize what we are doing and which situation we are in.” Check out the latest @ground_guru podcast with Everton's assistant manager Davide Ancelotti 👇 hudl.com/blog/davide-an…

   

   hudl.comDavide Ancelotti: Everton’s New Era (Training Ground Guru Podcast #19) | Hudl BlogExpert insights, training tips and new technology for coaches and athletes.

10. As we go into another Lockdown here in the UK and many other countries around the world, I wanted to put this at the front of your mind for your players. Either you can do this or even better pass on to parents and implement them together.

    BelievePerform @BelievePHQ

    How to support your child to talk openly about their mental health

    

Thanks again for joining me this week. Enjoy your weekends if you get to coach, if not I guess it’s back to skills challenges over zoom? Feedback is always welcome by either replying to this email or finding me here https://twitter.com/ACharlesFoster

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