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Chapter 7 - Case Histories
Bernadette was playing in a series of mini-tour events in Northern California. An All-American in college, she had been paying her dues for a few years, hoping to eventually qualify to play on the LPGA. It appeared that she first needed to learn several mental skills for playing better under pressure. Fortunately, her learning profile indicated that she would probably be able to learn them fairly readily. But we'll start first with Matt. He was a talented freshman who had been heavily recruited by several Division 1 programs. He had led his high school team to three exceptional seasons. He eventually accepted a full scholarship at the university where we met because of the team's quarterback coach. The coaching staff ranked him as one of the top five QB's they considered. They were all hoping that he would be capable of becoming the starting QB in his sophomore year. After he completed the two inventories, we met with him and his specialty coach to validate his profiles. Each of the findings was explained with the aim of discovering if there were special needs or concerns that would require more individual attention. We also wanted to know how to best communicate to his coaches how he might best be served in his development. Based upon this meeting, he and his quarterback coach found the profiles to be both accurate and practical. His competitive profile was reviewed in anticipation of providing the most effective way of structuring a program to best meet his identified needs. Employing the insights which Matt provided in the learning profile contributed to creating an environment which would hopefully allow him to realize his incredible physical potential. When you look at Matt's Competitive Profile, you'll see that he possesses several positive qualities and attributes, but indicates one significant area to explore for alternative strategies and potential solutions. The only factor in which Matt was "Average" was in Orientation, understandable given the financial possibilities that await this young man, especially if he continues to develop under the new coach's enlightened mentoring. We were all interested in designing a specific program that would improve or reinforce the characteristics that were important for his success. Interpretation of Matt C.'s CSP
Matt's favorable rating in the factor of Determination is due to his High ranking for Instrinsic Motivation and High Average scores for Sport Commitment, Competitive Orientation, Ability to Activate and Will to Win. His rating in Intrinsic Motivation conveys the picture of an athlete who is inner driven and highly motivated to be the best he can. Matt is above average in terms of his Sport Commitment, indicating that he has placed a considerable investment in football. His rating of High Average for Competitive Orientation suggests that he enjoys competing more than the average athlete. Matt has an High Average ranking for Ability to Activate, meaning that he can usually raise his energy or activation level and get up for it. His Will to Win score in the High Average range tells us that this athlete is very concerned with the results of competition and has a better than average killer instinct. Matt's rating of Above Average in the factor of Concentration is due to his High Average scores for External Distractability, Internal Distractability and Ability to Focus; High ranking for Presence of Focus and Average in his Duration of Focus. His score for External Distractability is High Average. His concentration appears to be relatively unaffected by the sights and sounds around him. He is also above average in Internal Distractability and has a good ability to achieve mental quiet past his own inner noise. Matt's Ability to Focus is in the High Average range. It is evidently not difficult for him to concentrate at a moderately intense level. He is High in regard to his Presence of Focus and seems to be well skilled at keeping his attention in the here and now. Matt's only Average score in Concentration is in his Duration of Focus, suggesting a modest ability to stay focused for the required length of time. Matt's Orientation score is in the Average range due to an Average score for Situational Focus, Low score for Extrinsic Motivation and High score for Optimal Activation. The average rating for his Situational Focus means that he does not need to be in critical circumstances in order to concentrate, but that he does not always focus uniformly, in all types of situations. Matt's Low ranking for Extrinsic Motivation indicates that external rewards such as recognition and money are very important to him. His score for Optimal Activation is in the High range, informing us that he performs his best when he's relaxed. Poise is the factor where Matt can make the most progress. His Low Average ranking is due to Low scores in Pre-Performance Activation and Ability to Deactivate and Low average scores for Fear of Failure and Performance Under Pressure. Although Matt claims that he performs best when relaxed, his Low Pre-Performance Activation shows that he tends to be very nervous or up before he plays. He probably starts out with too much adrenalin. His Low Ability to Deactivate indicates that it is difficult for him to bring his high activation level down to where he performs best; he is not able to relax when necessary. He ranks Low Average in Fear of Failure, meaning that he is somewhat fearful or worried about performing below his abilities and may have difficulty risking defeat. As a result, Matt's Performance Under Pressure is understandably Low Average, somewhat sabotaged and certainly less than optimal. It is only in Fear of Success that he has a positive rating. Matt is unhindered by worries about playing his best. He is not burdened with concerns about the negative consequences that may accompany success. Matt scores in the
High Average range for Mental Toughness, due to his High Average scores
for his Outlook, Self-Talk and Self-Confidence; Average score for Self-Concept
and High scores for Victim/Fighter and Ability to Recover. He has a relatively
optimistic point of view, as indicated by his High Average ranking for
Outlook. Matt's High Average score for Self-Talk means that his internal
dialogue during competition tends to be positive. He presents himself
as an athlete who is more confident than the average; he does not often
doubt his athletic ability. Matt does not express the same positive perception
about his Self-Concept, which falls within the Average range, neither
conflicted nor totally secure. His High ranking in the Victim/Fighter
category As you can see, Matt has many fine attributes to support his motor skills. He does provide a number of insights as to where he can best be served, especially in regard to Poise, which is in the most need of attention. If he can learn effective relaxation strategies, these findings provide positive support for his aspirations to play in the NFL. Interpretation of Bernadette D.'s CSP
Bernadette's Average ranking in the factor of Determination is due to her mid-level scores for Intrinsic Motivation, Competitive Orientation and Will to Win, and Low Average ratings for Sport Commitment and Ability to Activate. Her Intrinsic Motivation is Average; she is modestly motivated, having some inner drive. Bernadette is in the Low Average range in terms of her Sport Commitment, indicating that she in not strongly invested in her golf game. For some reason, golf is not all that important in her life right now. Her rating of Average for Competitive Orientation suggests that she neither enjoys competing immensely nor sees herself as uncompetitive. Bernadette has an Low Average score for Ability to Activate, meaning that she may find it difficult at times to raise her energy or activation level and get up for it. Her Will to Win is Average, which says that she is somewhat concerned with the results of competition and has a modest killer instinct. Bernadette's rating of Low Average in the factor of Concentration is due to her Low scores for Internal Distractability, Ability to Focus and Presence of Focus, and Low Average rating for her Duration of Focus. Only her External Distractability was in the positive direction, with a High Average score. Bernadette's focus appears to be relatively unaffected by the sights and sounds on the golf course around her. Her Low score on Internal Distractability tells us that her own inner noise is the prime source of her distraction, preventing her from achieving the mental quiet necessary for concentration. Bernadette's Ability to Focus is Low, indicating that it is difficult for her to concentrate. Her Presence of Focus is also in the Low range and suggests that her attention drifts into the past or future, rather than remaining in the here and now. Bernadette's rating of Low Average for her Duration of Focus indicates a relatively short span of attention and difficulty staying focused for the required length of time. Bernadette's Orientation score is in the Average range due to a Low score for Situational Focus, Average rating for Extrinsic Motivation and High Average score for Optimal Activation. The low Situational Focus means that Bernadette tends to concentrate only when it is critical or absolutely necessary. Bernadette's Average ranking for Extrinsic Motivation indicates that external rewards are some motivation for her, but not all that important. Her score for Optimal Activation is in the High Average range, informing us that she performs her best when she's somewhat relaxed. Bernadette's ranking of High Average in Poise is due to her High Average score for Pre-Performance Activation; High scores for her Ability to Deactivate and Fear of Success; and Average range scores for her Fear of Failure and Performance Under Pressure. It appears from her Pre-Performance Activation score that Bernadette tends to be relatively relaxed before she plays and is probably rarely nervous or up too much before starting out. Her High ranking for Ability to Deactivate indicates that it is not difficult for her to bring her activation levels down when she wants; she is able to relax in competitive situations. She is in the Average range for Fear of Failure, suggesting that she is somewhat fearful of playing at less than her ability and is sometimes able to risk defeat. Bernadette has a High score for Fear of Success, telling us that she is unhindered by the potential consequences of playing her best; she is not burdened with concerns about becoming famous or making too much money. Her score of Average for Performance Under Pressure suggests that her performance in tournaments is somewhat sabotaged and less than optimal. Bernadette scores in the Low Average range for Mental Toughness, due to her Low Average scores for Outlook and Ability to Recover; Average rankings for Self-Confidence and Self-Concept and Low ratings for her Self-Talk and Victim/Fighter. Her Low Average Outlook score tells us that she is moderately pessimistic, with less than an optimistic view. She fell in the Low range for her characteristic Self-Talk, which indicates that Bernadette is very critical of herself/her performance during and right after competitions. She is not very positive in what she says to herself. Her Average rating for Self-Confidence conveys that she is moderately confident in her talent, with a normal level of doubt in her ability to achieve certain outcomes. Her Self-Concept is within the Average range, neither conflicted nor totally secure. Bernadette's Low ranking in the Victim/Fighter category portrays a passive approach to adverse circumstances more as a victim than pro-active fighter. Her Ability to Recover is Low Average, suggesting that she has not fully learned how to be resilient; it is somewhat difficult for her to get back on track after a series of negative circumstances. As you see, Bernadette knows how to maintain her poise and block out external distractions, but she needs to learn other skills if she is going to realize her full potential. How capable is she of learning the skills necessary to take her to more optimal levels of performance? We'll come back to Bernadette after we look at Matt's Learning Styles Profile. Interpretation of Matt C.'s LSP
Matt's Low Average ranking for TriModal Learning is due to his apparent reliance upon a single modality to the exclusion of the other two. He describes himself as a High Visual Leaner and clearly needs to see a skill demonstrated in order to learn it. Not only is it the most effective, it appears to be the only mode that is helpful to him. His Low score for Kinesthetic Learning indicates that he does not need to feel a skill in order to learn it. He under uses this way of learning skills. His corresponding Low score for Trial & Experience points out another unexplored mode. Matt suggests that he does not need to try a skill different ways on his own in order to learn it. Matt's High Average ranking for Learning Preferences is due to his High scores for Amount of Information and Rate of Change and Average score in the Caution/Risking category. His High rating in Amount of Information tells us that he likes more information at a time than most athletes. Matt's High Rate of Change indicates that he prefers to move through skill changes very fast. A Caution/Risking score in the Average range suggests that Matt takes a moderately conservative approach when attempting new skills. He describes himself as being somewhat able to take the risks necessary to learn. Matt has a High Average ranking in Teachability due to his High scores for Willingness to Change and Interpersonal Control; High Average score for Facilitation of Change and Average score for Ability to Trust. His High Willingness Change means that Matt is very open-minded to new ideas and needs little proof or convincing when considering potential changes or alternative methods. His rating in the High range for Interpersonal Control indicates that Matt takes an easy-going approach with his coaches and does not want to control the learning environment. His High Average Facilitation of Change score means that he usually is able to seek help from coaches when necessary, that he rarely takes an independent approach of making changes on his own. Matt's score in the Average range for Ability to Trust indicates that he is moderately trusting, yet somewhat guarded about placing his trust in new coaches. Matt's Low Average ranking in Optimal Learning is due to Average scores for Skill Rating and Compliance; Low Average scores for Learning Comfort and Frustration Tolerance and Low scores for Ability to Change, Efforting Level and Commitment to Change. His Skill Rating of Average suggests that Matt is neither dissatisfied nor content with the present level of his athletic abilities. His Low Average ranking for Learning Comfort means that he tends to be somewhat nervous around coaches, that he is not very relaxed in the athletic learning environment. Matt's Low rating in Ability to Change indicates that it is difficult for him to make skill changes; he is not very adept at the process. His Efforting Level is in the Low range, meaning that he rarely takes a casual approach when learning becomes slow or stuck, but rather tends to try too hard. His Low Average Frustration Tolerance portrays a more frustrated approach to learning problems than one of being patient with himself. He has a Low Commitment to Change, suggesting that he does not stick with changes long enough for them to be effective; he is uncommitted to the new and probably reverts back to old ways fairly readily. His Average rating for Compliance indicates that Matt is somewhat able to practice well on his own, but that he also needs some guidance from his coaches on how to structure his independent practice time. Matt received a score in the Low range for Cognitive Learning because he needs to know how to perform certain skills to learn them; he wants a thorough explanation from his coaches. His Above Average rating in Feedback Preference means that Matt wants to hear the corrections about what he's doing wrong; he doesn't like a lot of positive feedback about what he's already doing correctly. The Low Average score for Outcome/Process means that Matt is somewhat result oriented, even in the early stages of learning new skills, and may not be attentive enough to the ongoing process of learning in the moment. Matt permitted us to see a number of his learning strengths as well as several less developed attributes. Sitting with him and his position coach to validate each finding provided an excellent opportunity for designing the most effective approach to Matt's continuing development. Interpretation of Bernadette's LSP
Bernadette's High Average ranking for TriModal Learning is due to her High scores for both Kinesthetic Learning and Trial & Experience and Average score for Visual Learning. This Average ranking means that when she's able to see the skill demonstrated, on video tape or in her mind's eye, she finds it somewhat helpful. Bernadette's High Score for Kinesthetic Learning indicates that she needs to feel a skill in order to learn it and uses her well-developed Kinesthetic ability when refining skills. She also has a High score for Trial & Experience, telling us that she needs to try a new skill out and explore different ways of doing it in order to learn. Bernadette's Low Average ranking for Learning Preferences is due to her Low score for Amount of Information, Low Average score for Rate of Change and Average score in the Caution/Risking category. Her Low rating in Amount of Information means that she likes less information at once than most athletes. Bernadette's Low Average Rate of Change indicates that she prefers to work on skill changes at a moderate slow pace. A Caution/Risking score in the Average range suggests that Bernadette takes a moderately conservative approach, describing herself as being somewhat able to take risks in order to learn. Bernadette has an Average ranking in Teachability due to her Average scores for Willingness to Change and Facilitation of Change; Low score for Interpersonal Control and High Average score for her Ability to Trust. Her Average Willingness to Change rating indicates that Bernadette is somewhat open-minded, but also needs proof or convincing when considering suggested changes. Her Low score for Interpersonal Control tells us that Bernadette wants to control her learning as much as possible; she does not take an easy-going approach when she's working with a teacher. Her Average Facilitation of Change score means that she is sometimes able to seek help from teachers, while also taking somewhat of an independent approach by making certain changes on her own. Bernadette ranks in the High Average range for Ability to Trust, indicating more trusting and less guarded relationships with teachers and a good ability to invest her trust in a teacher. Bernadette's High Average ranking in Optimal Learning is due to her Average scores for Skill Rating and Learning Comfort; High Average scores for Frustration Tolerance and High scores for Ability to Change, Efforting Level, Commitment to Change and Compliance. Bernadette has a Skill Rating of Average, suggesting that she is neither dissatisfied nor totally content with her current skills. Her Average ranking for Learning Comfort may mean that she is nervous around some instructors and relaxed with others, or that she is somewhere between relaxed and nervous when she's being taught. Bernadette's High score for Ability to Change indicates that she is very adept at making skill changes; it is not a difficult process for her. Her High ranking in the Efforting Level category suggests that she does not try too hard when confronted with learning difficulties, but that she takes a very casual approach. Her High Average level of Frustration Tolerance portrays a fairly patient approach to learning problems, and rare occurrences of becoming frustrated with herself. Bernadette has a High Commitment to Change score. She is able to commit to a skill change and stick with it until it is effective. Her High Compliance rating tells us that she practices well on her own; she evidently does not need guidance about structuring her independent practice time or maintaining exemplary habits. Bernadette has a
High Average score in Cognitive Learning because she doesn't want
a mechanical explanation of how to perform skills in order to learn them.
She probably finds technical details to be unnecessary in her learning
process. Her Low score in Feedback Preference means that Bernadette likes
positive reinforcement and probably does respond well to too many corrections
about what she's doing wrong. Her High Average ranking for Outcome/Process
indicates that as a learner, Bernadette is not too result oriented; she
is usually able to attend to the process of learning whatever she's
working on. CONTENTS
| INTRODUCTION |
CHAPTERS:
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will now present the validated profiles of two athletes who participated
in our studies: a young, college quarterback and a professional golfer.
Both completed the CSP and LSP prior to our individual feedback sessions.
We will be using fictitious names with these athletes.
