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There are plenty of ways to for coaches and players to measure their physical performances. Here's a simple way to measure the mental aspect of the game. Above, Round Top-Carmine coach Tanya Nygrin talks strategy with setter Kathryn Cordes while a trainer works on the the 5'4" junior's cramps late in game five of the 1A state finals. Cordes finished with 51 assists to lead RTC's upset of four-time defending champion Windthorst. Nygrin credited the team's mental focus as the difference, after having lost to Windthorst in the previous four finals.

Head Games

“Asking AEIOU and always “Why”?

Editor’s note: Don Kalkstein is the sports psychologist and performance enhancement coach for the Dallas Mavericks and the Texas Rangers. He also operates SportSpectrum, a sports psychology business, in Arlington, Texas, where he consults with athletes nationwide. For information regarding rates for clinics or training sessions for individuals, contact Don Kalkstein at ThinkToWin@sport-spectrum.net.

By Don Kalkstein, M.A., C.A.G.S.

Coaches are always looking for ways to motivate teams and players. They want simple techniques to prepare their athletes for competition. Over the years I have helped athletes who have taken some time off from training to perform in highly competitive situations.

Athletes must have the tools that will allow them quickly and accurately to identify their state of mind before, during and after competition. Successful athletes know their mental state and can make the adjustments that will increase their performance potential.

During physical training and competition, athletes can use a variety of tools to measure their performance. Obviously the most common tool is the score. When training, coaches use such items as: number of successful serves, number of successful plays, and number of successful passes. You get the picture. When training, athletes are constantly measured and when they are not performing to the coach’s standard (often set by the coach) then the team is required to do a series of drills, which improve team flow.

Now, this is fine for the physical approach but it is essential to keep monitoring the mental skills required for optimal performance. Coaches and/or athletes, however, must also have a way to keep an eye on their mental skills.

Here is a simple and effective way for every athlete to take inventory of his or her mental state and improve performance. By measuring internal characteristics athletes can identify the shortcomings that interfere with physical ability.

At any time during practice, competition, pre-competition or post evaluation, athletes can use this “AEIOU – Vowel Tool” to develop their level of performance. Each vowel represents one of the 5 major components of optimal and consistent performance. The “AEIOU” tool is simple and very effective in getting athletes to understand what is going on internally and gives them the power to perform.

Here is how it works. Each vowel triggers a question or statement concerning something in the internal make-up of the athlete that needs attention in order for an athlete to perform at the highest level. Start with A and conclude with U. Always go in order; it is simple and easy to remember.

Have the athlete repeat each of the following vowels:

A – Attitude: What is my attitude? Why is my attitude the way it is? What is making me have this attitude? On a scale from 1 – 10 (10 being the highest) what is my current level? What level should it be? If I have a bad attitude, I can change it. I control my attitude; no one else does. Identify what needs to change and change it now.

E – Effort: What is my effort level? On a scale from 1 – 10 (10 being the highest) what is my current level? What level should it be? Am I doing everything that my teammates require of me? Identify why my effort level is poor and change it. I control my effort, no one else does. Change it now.

I – Interest: Am I really interested in what is going on? Is there a payoff if this task is successful? On a scale from 1 – 10 (10 being the highest) what is my current level? What level should it be? Am I focused and concentrating on the task at hand? Am I distracted by something else? I control my interests; no one else does. Change them now.

O – Opportunity: Do I realize what opportunity is presented to me? Will I ever be in this situation again? Do I realize everything I have given up to be where I am now? Am I letting this opportunity slip? On a scale from 1 – 10 (10 being the highest) what is my current level? What level should it be? I can make opportunities for myself; am I making one now? I control my opportunities; no one else does. Change them now.

U – Urgency: Am I performing as though this is the most important thing in the world? Do I understand that I cannot take back the past but can perform in the present? On a scale from 1 – 10 (10 being the highest) what is my current level? What level should it be at? I control my sense of urgency; no one else does. Change it now.

This simple yet effective tool will bring out the best in your athletes. From time to time ask your athletes these simple questions. Have them rate themselves, and talk about what their current levels mean. Many times athletes will say one thing but their behavior reveals another; explain to them what you have observed and why you are questioning their internal drive. Many coaches and athletes have found this tool very useful before practice and actual competition. It gets the athlete and team mentally prepared and focused on what is important.

I have seen coaches simply put these letters on the walls of their gym to give the athletes a visual reminder that they can realize optimal and consistent success. Some coaches have made little cards that athletes can carry in their bags and review. The importance of this technique is to assist athletes in their mental preparation. All the physical training will go to waste if they are not mentally prepared for practice or competition. Be sure to give your team its best chance for success.

It’s as easy as AEIOU……