What is emotional fitness? What can we learn from football?
- timetoheal1210
- Jan 2, 2023
- 3 min read
Building skills to help players bounce back from setbacks and cope with the ups and downs of professional sports. Enabling better stress management, and improved mental health and well-being. Transferrable skills for everyday living and all levels of sport and exercise participation.
Part 1 - Focusing on a football manager Kieran McKenna. The implementation of emotional fitness is at the heart of his person-centred approach to management.
Part 2 - Looking at what emotional fitness means to those with LTHCs. And the evidence-based strategies we can utilise from extensive research in this field.
Forward-thinking, diligent and understanding of what his team needs — Kieran McKenna — recognises the special challenges his players face, creating a team around them to enable them to thrive in high-pressure situations. Focus on what they need to do. Employing a team around him so he can focus directly on his team.
In an interview with Mikey Hale, Kevin Mincher discusses his role as a Performance coach at Ipswich Town Football Club, under McKenna’s leadership.
Mincher said:’Most people don’t have a job where 20,000 people come to their office and express their opinion about how they are or aren’t doing.
"When you finish the game, sometimes you might get good reviews or you might get slated, be it by fans, opposition or the media. Helping people develop skills not to cave in with that but to thrive, rise and go again is really important.”
He explains that evidence-based theories applied well enable players to manage the pressures of performing at the top level. Sessions in personal responsibility, leadership and resilience are for everyone. Then optional workshops and 1-1 meetings. Meditation, team building activities and goal setting are just a few of the activities implemented.
Practising what can be controlled. Changing practice time to 12.30 pm on a day amid a heatwave may not sound like a great idea. But they were expected to play in that heat a few days later. Therefore the scenario has been practised and lessons learnt. Increasing confidence in their abilities to manage unpredictable situations. Knowing they got through. Building players' trust. Their awareness of how their body reacts to external factors. Adapting their diets and hydration.
Will Stephenson the Head of Analysis at the club uses a number of ways to utilise all the data he and his team collate. He spoke to Mikey Hale during the clubs Loughborough training camp. The amount of data collated is huge and disseminated in a variety of ways. This may be in direct meetings. TV’s in the canteen or group meetings.
Protection is also required for players. What they are recorded doing and what they see are two different things. McKenna approves every piece of video analysis. Only allowing his players to see what he deems as helpful and supportive to their development. Ensuring the volume is right.
Individuals are compared in a positive way. Re-creating possible scenarios and working on ways to be mindful, showing calm responses. The ability to manage change and perform in the best way possible. Setting goals and expectations are always key. Ensuring these are both mentally as well as physically appropriate. Using the technology available and drip feeding helps.
Summary
The player's willingness is demonstrated by the success on the pitch. They are happy to run for each other — encourage each other. This is a squad and not a team. Their attitude is focused. Challenges set, met and re-set. The team around them all play a part — that can be matched.
On a lower level, elements can still be transferred. Having players train in the heat is not always wise. However, helping them build resilience is. So is working on their strengths. Clear, helpful and constructive feedback on performance. Technology is still available to all on some level.
Links
Kevin Mincher Interview
Will Stephenson Interview
The Mayo Clinic - Resilience Training
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