summer-2024 - 28

Developing mental strength in athletes
By Yolanda Berryhill, MS, SCCC, CSCS, USAW-1, USATF-1,
Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Texas A&M University
S
trength &
conditioning
coaches (SCC) are
tasked with preparing an
athlete for the demands
of performance and
optimizing outputs.
However, peak
performance is not solely
reached through physical
preparation. Mental strength enables athletes
to progress toward goals while maintaining
mental fortitude through uncapped failures and
experiences. As a result, your role as the SCC
goes beyond physical training.
PART I: DISCOVER
Before integrating this approach, as an SCC,
you must understand how important it is to
maintain self-awareness and preserve the ability
to be cognizant when your behaviors do or do
not align with your internal standards. Selfawareness
plays a substantial role in the type of
28 | Tactical Training & Conditioning | Summer 2024
environment you want to create for you and your
athletes. Understanding more about yourself and
your values allows you to be more steadfast and
confident in your leadership approach.
Let's consider two questions and think about
them as guides to help discover or rediscover
internal standards and values.
Who are you?
Discover traits and behaviors you may currently
possess or can develop that will help support your
leadership capabilities: great listener, trustworthy,
respectful, compassionate, adaptable, selfless,
humble, proactive, positive, authentic, consistent,
confident, and empathetic.
What are you doing?
Finding effective leadership strategies that
make clear what you value and prioritize:
* Modeling behaviors that you want to see and
awareness of body language
* Giving feedback and self-reflection
* Asking questions, connecting, and
building relationships
* Educating and accountability
summer-2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of summer-2024
