Written by Mental resilience and stability are favorable attributes in anyone but not least in an elite athlete. These characteristics are essential to protect an individual from the negative effects of detractors. When Hawthorn AFL champion Dermott Brereton took a swipe at goalkicker Bailey Fritsch accusing him of being a fake tough guy, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin confronted the issue. Goodwin has faith in his team and faith in the way they play.
“You don’t sit on the top of the ladder having a mental problem. I look at how we play from week to week and what we are continuing to build. I am not too fussed about who we play, I am focused on how we play. We are building our game to play finals footy.” – Simon Goodwin
Goodwin dismissed claims that Fritsch had become a dirty player after a bump in a marking contest last Saturday left Hawthorn defender Denver Grainger-Barras nursing a sore shoulder. He further backed the form and behavior of Fritsch, referring to him as a very clean player. Goodwin explains the comments are intended to create negative conversation and content around certain players to remove some of their power, effectively destabilizing them.
Christian Salem has also been the subject of some negative chatter with detractors suggesting that his form has dropped-off to the detriment of the Melbourne Demons. Again, Goodwin came out in defense of his player explaining that an injury a month-and-a-half ago had meant a modification to his training program but that his form was still sound.
“We had to manage him through some situations, but he’s a quality player and his form is still stacking up pretty strong for us.” – Simon Goodwin
Simon Goodwin is a good example of the type of coach that supports and encourages his team to believe in themselves despite the slings and arrows of competitors and their supporters. He defends his men and allows them the space to establish a healthy mindset and a positive self-image. This allows for the reframing of any situation into something manageable. Changing the narrative and embracing challenges builds a better athlete and in turn a better team culture. Sports psychologist, Jonathan Garcia-Allen has asserted that mindfulness in sports is even more relevant than practice and the application of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) instills qualities like mindfulness. Mindfulness is a technique that works by “…focusing all of your attention on what you’re doing in the present moment, without judgments and with as few filters as possible.” This characteristic allows awareness and freedom through self-knowledge and a positive attitude.
Mindfulness in Sports – how Does it Affect Athletes? – Exploring your mind