 Mental Game Expert, Dr. Cohn |  |
Get Answers from Your Sports Psychology Expert. As a Premium Member of peaksports, you can email Dr. Cohn questions about your
mental toughness challenges and get a detailed answer 365 days a year! Even
with regular membership, you can browse Dr. Cohn's mental game responses to
other members in the "Ask Dr. Cohn" section.
Here is a recent sample of an "Ask Dr. Cohn" Q and A this month:
Golfer:
I don't have a pre shot routine. How is this hindering me and what aspects should I consider adding to a pre shot routine?
Dr. Cohn's Answer:
I'm sure you have a routine -- a physical routine -- because you have to address the ball each time you hit a shot. What's most critical in your routine is a mental routine, which helps you to be focused, confident, and trust your swing when it's time to swing.
If you don't have a mental preshot routine, you are more like to become distracted, lose your focus, have random thoughts enter your mind during shot execution, and be less decisive with your approach to each shot.
I teach two main aspects of a preshot routine. Stage 1 is the decision making part of the routine. Stage 2 is the procedural part of the routine. In stage 1, you are planning and programming yourself for the shot, such as when you pick a target. In stage 2, you are going through your set up and focusing on one trigger/swing cue to make a good swing.
The entire routine should not be too complex. And the purpose is to not become obsessed with doing a perfect routine -- then you lose focus on shot.
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