He wasn't there because something was wrong mentally, and the psychologist wasn't trying to fix a psychological disorder. He was just an athlete who needed to learn to relax and focus. This guy just put it on a different spectrum. Megan Bryant, women's softball coach, said that when she was an athlete in college, everything was about intensity. Since then, the focus of the game has turned to relaxation.
Relaxation is only one of the many techniques recommended by sports psychologists.
Visualization is also popular and, when paired with physical training, it can enhance an athlete's performance. The Drake men's basketball team uses visualization mostly for shooting, especially free throws. Drake softball players agree that once you get to this level of ball, athletes' skills are so similar that you must find another way to beat the opponent. The batter fouls the ball and you step out of your Hula-Hoop, she said. One of the nice things about our sport is that we get to think before each play takes place.