Mental training is a key component of preparing a team for success, but as sports psychologist Andrea Becker explains here, it’s most effective when combined with physical training.
With that in mind, Becker advises that goals for drills be tied to the process, not the outcome. That doesn't mean you won't run drills involving point-scoring and winners and losers. It means that those drills should have athletes evaluating their performance based on what they're doing – for instance, "Did I penetrate over the net on every block?" – rather than the number of points they're racking up.
Becker, who works with the U.S. men’s national volleyball team, says process-oriented goals help athletes develop a mindset that allows for consistently positive emotions rather than one with many highs and lows.
