What's the e-book about?
The Mental Aspects of Goalkeeping is mainly about distractions.
It peeks into the source of distractions, what they do to us goalies and the readers are offered tools and tips on how to stay focussed between the posts.
Bibliography
Over the years many books and publications fed me with knowledge and insights. Some of them stayed top of mind where others more or less got forgotten. For sure also these forgotten ideas and concepts helped me in writing my first e-book. The ones I still can remember:
- The publications of Rico Schuijers, PhD in sportpsychology.
He gathered lots of information and experience with various athletes.
Unfortunately his 2 books are not available in English, to the best of knowledge. - 'Golf is not a game of perfect' by Dr. Bob Rotella.
Although this book mentions 'golf', the concepts discussed can be used by many athletes.
A very readable book where athletes dare to show their vulnerability and 'solutions' to their issues are provided. - 'HockeyGoaltending' by Brian Daccord
Don't get confused by the title: there are countries that mean ice-hockey when they mention hockey ;-).
Due to the popularity of the icehockey game, there's much to be read about goalies.
And since I'm convinced that many goaltenders, independent of their sport, face similar challenges towards an optimal performance: there are many sources available. Both on paper and on the net. - Various resources from the lower parts of the globe: Australia and New-Zealand. Fieldhockey is a sport that generates lots of information for hockeypeers down there. You will find all kind of info via various sources, e.g. obo keepers resources and Kathleen Partridge.
On the internet you can find many topics, forums and publications with regards to the mental side of goaltending (especially on ice-hockey). So, you might knock yourself out in digesting all of it. The more you know about it, the better you can get at it!
How can you train mental abilities?
Just like you would do to acquire a new type of saving technique: practice. And practice. And practice.
Set goals, be selfconcience, be honest and practice again ;-)
Mental abilities can be developed. And there's one big difference with another type of skill: now you can do a part of your training being a couchpotato, sitting in your bath or lying in the the sun.
Is mental training just for lazy people then? Don't think so, but there's a lot you can do within your head/with your brain, just relaxing.
But how do you train that brain?
You can learn a lot through imagining: just bring your memories to life, vividly to life. Enrichen your visual representation with sounds, smells but first and foremost: your feelings. Experience the muscle tightness, your heart rate elevated, the edge for the save.
The better you're able to re-live a situation that you would like to improve, the more you can work on your overall mental sharpness.
For starters begin to re-shape your edge by working on the thought that distracted you before. In the e-book you can find a table that will help you to keep track of distractions.
Mental training: that's only for the best, isn't it?
That's a nice one: how would you answer the question whether fieldtraining is only for the best?
Every goalie will benefit upon being less distracted or better: staying focussed.
Your mind and body are one. An integrated system that can work miracles.
A simple trial to test the power of your mind: just sit on the floor en spread your legs as far apart as you can. Find a point of reference.
Now put your legs together and close your eyes. Imagine yourself sitting on that very ground and spreading your legs. But upon reaching your normal spread, you imagine your legs easily move a little further.... Now open your eyes and spread again. I bet you will overcome your point of reference easily!
Mental skills will support at any level of play. And this skillset is like any other skillset: the more time invested the more results you'll experience.
Can I work on my mental side without any risk?
As long as you stay within the tips mentioned in the articles upon this topic (including my e-book), there's one risk: you can start thinking about how you should deal with distractions...and that's a major distraction in itself ;-)
If I deal with any particular distraction that keeps bogging me, what can I do?
Obviously you can send me an e-mail and I'll get back to you.
Nothing gone bad there, but I would suggest that you talk with your coach and/or goalietrainer. For sure the latter one will recognize your particular situation and might be able to get better control over these type of situations.
In general there's a tip that works for many goalies in many situations: if you imagine your game to take place within a confined place. A place where only athletes are performing and no distractions can reach any of them. Enter that 'clean' zone again and stay focussed on something that appeals to your senses. For some that's the smell upon the hockeyground, the sound of a ball well hit, etc.
Can I use the contents of the booklet or give friends a copy of the e-book?
Please, do so and spread the word ;-). It would be very nice if you would mention the MentalGoalies-origin.