What is a slump?
For many players they would probably say: “Something at one time seemed so easy, now seems really difficult and the more I try the worse it gets.”
Sports psychologist, Bob Rotella, at the Scottish open when asked to comment on Rory Mcllroy missing the cut said: “It’s a very fine line between total clarity and little bit of doubt. When a player is feeling good they just look at where they want the ball to go and just hit it, it seems really easy and effortless. When you’re struggling a little, it gets hard, it feels like you’re trying but at that moment the game seems really tough.”
The crucial thing at this stage is that when it starts to get difficult for players, they get the right help, or they may never re-visit those times when it seemed so easy!
The problem and the solution
It’s well known at the elite level of sport, under pressure, the mental strength of a player often dictates who stands there with the trophy. To compete at that level, all players have spent years honing their craft. If you went to watch professional golfers or tennis players warm up before a match or tournament it would be difficult to choose a winner. On the practice range or court they look similar, wonderful balance, timing, effortless swings with power and control.
The difference of course is when it matters, champions still make is seem easy and effortless. At that stage the contribution of the mental side of the game can be as much as 90%.
As the evidence is so compelling why will most players pick up their spades, head for the practice green and wonder why the hole they are digging is getting deeper?
Why does this happen?
Shame and Embarrassment
One of the problems for many players/athletes is that when there game starts to fall apart they often feel ashamed and embarrassed. Basically, in today’s society men often live under the pressure of one unrelenting message: “Do not be perceived as weak.”
For many players working with someone who can help free their mind can be seen as a weakness. So they choose to tough it out and keep practising. For some that may work, but for many who adopt that approach their game gets worse. They have more bad experiences downloaded into their subconscious, get involved in twitter wars, wreak their clubs and possibly never- regardless of the fortune they have amassed- get to enjoy that elusive time again, when the game was fun and easy!
For those that have the courage to admit they need help there is hope!!
The Lone Ranger
I know the film was a flop, but the Lone Ranger I watched when I was growing up would ride into town when there was trouble and save the day. The method I use to give the life back to a player that is struggling however, would be probably something you may expect his side-kick Tonto to use.
If working with a sports psychologist will test your belief systems, perhaps you’d better make sure you are sitting down as what I have to offer will require an even greater leap of faith.
I use a technique that can release the trauma from past bad experiences and sends calming messages to the brain. All of whatever was making you struggle can be erased, making way for it to be easy and effortless again.
Here are your choices:
- Practice more, seek advice on the technical side of the game. Watch the hole get deeper and say goodbye to those days when you enjoyed playing
- Work with me. Knock down any of the barriers (physical and mental) that are getting in the way of your success. Learn a subtle tapping point that can be used to release the tension from your shoulders, arms and mind when under pressure.
The dream that turned into a nightmare
Tony* was one of the countries top amateur golfers, he had won his club championship for the past eight years. His goal was always to play on the tour and when he had the opportunity to realise his dreams, he turned professional.
Things were going well for a while until one day he stood over a putt that would win him a sizable amount of money if he made it. He took longer than he normally would to play the shot and missed. Frustrated and determined for that to never happen again, he practised more – his game got worse, that one time trust and belief he had, especially on putting deserted him.
By the time he came to see me he was desperate. Standing over a putt his arms would freeze and he found it difficult to actually move the club. Tony also had a reoccurring dream that he was standing over a putt with a door behind him, making it impossible to take the club back.
When I asked him how it used to feel when hitting a putt like that. He said: “I would follow my set up routine, see a line tracking its way to the hole and just hit it.” Now having given up his job, the pressure to earn money for his family and impress his sponsor has destroyed his game. The shame and embarrassment of what happened on that day and the sheer dread of having to play again, had turned his dream into a living hell.
A life transformed
We used tapping to release the trauma from those past experiences. When under pressure the negative triggers, those memories that sabotaged his game no longer existed. This allowed Tony to go back to that time when playing golf was fun and easy.
So, there is a way of a slump – literally at the end of our fingertips!
If your career is unravelling, you’re are tired of the suck it up approach and would like help to get out of that hole you’re digging -just get in touch! I can help deal with the shame and embarrassment of failing and help you experience again what life is like when your mind is free! Contact me for a free 15 consultation at sean@confidenceontap.com
NB
A slump of course it not just experienced just by golfers, there are many football players – often strikers who seem to have lost the ability to put the ball in the net, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is perhaps an obvious example. Although being an Arsenal fan I have witnessed a slump that has lasted ten years – maybe I could work with the board on their fears of spending money!!!
*Tony is not his real name