Mental Imagery is the Foundation of Your Summer Mental Training
One of the most indelible memories I took away from the 2018 Winter Olympics was from the start area of the alpine events (and, in fact, every ski and snowboard event). Time after time, we saw the best ski racers in the world with their head down and eyes closed, moving their hands and their […]
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What’s Your Mental Training Program for the Off-season Prep Period?
It happens every winter. In December, January, and February, I get calls from national team athletes and parents of young racers who are struggling mentally in their ski racing and they have big races coming up. They want me to somehow fix them quickly. Though I think I’m pretty good at what I do, I’m […]
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Summer Mental Training Begins This Week
With the off-season prep period for ski racers now underway, I will begin my series of articles about how to incorporate mental training in your summer training later this week. My approach to off-season mental training is the same as with physical conditioning and on-snow training: Your mental training must be comprehensive, structured, and consistent. […]
Read More“Will it Help Me Ski Faster?:” Forks in the Road in a Ski Racer’s Life
It’s one thing to say that you want to be the best ski racer you can be. It’s an entirely different thing to actually do the things necessary to achieve that goal. In other words, talk is cheap! You have to want it and you have to want it bad! Why? Because the chances are […]
Read MoreDon’t Violate the Laws of Insanity and Stupidity as You Prepare for Next Season
The race season is finally over for most racers (for others, a few more weeks to go). After a long and demanding winter, you’re probably tired of skiing (regardless of whether the season was a triumph or a disappointment). It’s time to hang up your skis, pack away your gear, kick back, relax, and forget […]
Read MoreSprint, Don’t Stagger, to the Finish of Your Race Season
I was speaking to a World Cup athlete after his country’s national championship recently and he told me that all he could think about in the start was how much he didn’t want to be there. He was burned out and just wanted the season to be over. Yet, this athlete also said that he […]
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How to Support Your Young Ski Racers at the End of the Season
The conclusion of a race season can be a time of excitement, relief, and suffering for parents. The excitement comes when your young ski racers have just concluded a season that exceeded their expectations. The sense of pride and satisfaction can be palatable and reinforces why you have your children in our oh-so-demanding sport. The […]
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Disappointment is a Good Thing
The 2018-19 race season is approaching its conclusion. The Nor-Ams, Regional Championships, and other big races are now in our rearview mirror. Many racers are heading into the final stretch of races hoping to continue a successful season of high results and improved points and rankings. This group looks back on the race season with […]
Read MoreTips for Skiing Fast in Your Championship Season
It’s that time of the race season when results REALLY start to matter, the championship season. For many racers in the U.S., the REALLY important races of the year—Divisionals, Regionals, and Nationals—are upon us and it’s REALLY important that they ski their best. Yet, this is also the time of year when many racers aren’t […]
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What Kind of Sport Parent are You?: Rate Yourself
In addition to working with young athletes in many sports, I also consult with sport parents to help them to provide to their young athletes the most positive support they can. Being a great sport parent is no small feat or easy task these days for several reasons. First, we live in a youth-sport culture […]
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