LATEST STORIES FROM DOC'S HEAD GAMES
Been Busy
4 days ago by
Doc's Head Games
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It's hard to believe this much time has passed since the last post. I suppose it's been a bit busy, though ... after all, building a program from scratch isn't the easiest task in the world. There has been a whirlwind of activity the last few months: I've hooped with...
A Mindset Creates a Coach's Meal
June 12, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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There is a certain mindset that works in the bevy of coaches and psychologists -- makeshift or not -- who preach mental tactics to athletes and subscribe to the significant role of teacher within the ever encompassing position as sport leader. In a role that entails much more than...
What's the Point?
May 10, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Well, at this point in the 2009 NBA playoff race, the point position seems to be point production -- otherwise known as scoring at an unprecedented consistency. Through Friday, a dozen players listed as point guards in the league (via espn.com) were averaging 14.7 points or more, with...
Study Time Creates Kobe Time
April 26, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Sport psychologists are often called upon to help athletes improve levels of confidence. Specifically, consultants tend to work with a player's self-efficacy, or one's situational self-confidence. Self-efficacy refers to how an athlete feels about himself in certain circumstances...
A Case of the Game Face
April 19, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Derrick Rose's display today was mesmerizing. His play helped brush his Bulls past the hometown Celtics in a game that featured great point guard possessions on each end. Not to be outdone by his champion seasoned opponent, Rajon Rando, Derrick, quite literally, rose to the occasion...
Mad Breakdown of Stats, Styles, and Coaching Shifts
April 06, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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What happens when you coach a team that finished first in its conference in free throw percentage, field goal percentage, field goal percentage defense, and rebounding defense?You get fired. At least, in Kentucky you do...and if the school colors are blue and white.Perhaps a trip to...
LeBrawn or LeBrain? Looks like Both
March 30, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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There was no hesitation in his voice when asked what the strongest part of his game is. He replied with the utmost confidence and made it known to the world, as if there is no chance anyone can crack the unique bond between his unearthly physical prowess and cognitive superiority....
Plummeting Minutes, Enthusiastic until the End
March 27, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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It’s the second half and the players just walked out of the 16:00 time out. Duke is down to Villanova in the Sweet Sixteen, 38-26. Greg Paulus, after not playing in the first half, is in. He immediately drains a three. Next time down, while setting up a play, the senior guard...
Cerebral Matter - March '09
March 25, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Elite scientists are well-rounded... I like to believe this, knowing that my basketball players and other student-athletes at Caltech are talented in a number of areas. It's math and science first and basketball (hopefully) a close second. And many are expert musicians and artists...
Impressions of Mad Basketball
March 23, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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March Madness began again, and depending on one
Cutting and Shooting... for TV
March 12, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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So, the other day, a friend of mine points out a story from the New York Times -- a synopsis of what it feels like to make a cameo on a television show. Coincidentally, I now know exactly of what the author speaks. Numb3rs, the CBS Friday night hit now in its fifth season, is often...
Systematic Coaching
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Paul Johnson believes in himself and his system -- and he is not afraid to implement team building tools and show an unwavering passion for his philosophy of a team:
Phelps Wins Again
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Michael Phelps' latest victory did not result in a gold medal, but it did demonstrate the main reason for his eight Olympic wins. He smashed the competition on this site's latest poll, claiming just under 60 percent of the total, or 92 of the 157 votes. D-Wade finished in a...
Leaving Lasting Impressions on the Court
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Novak Djokovic wriggled around like a caterpillar on steroids. With apparent aggression and aggravation stemming from the far-from-tame Flushing Meadows fans that hold Andy Roddick close to their American Dream hearts, the Serbian unleashed tennis talent followed by regrettable words...
Cerebral Matter
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Each week, “Cerebral Matter” highlights articles, anecdotes, and analyses related to the psychological aspects of performance.Head Games in auto racing:The battle for the IndyCar championship is won on the course, but Helio Castroneves is trying to influence the outcome...
The Psychological Ingredients of a Coach
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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The Crossover Movement recently reviewed research by the United States Olympic Committee that centered around coaching. Interestingly, sport psychology was found to be the fourth most important area in "understanding body of knowledge", preceded by skills, strategies, and...
Cerebral Matter
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Each week, “Cerebral Matter” highlights articles, anecdotes, and analyses related to the psychological aspects of performance.Mets pitcher Brian Stokes understands the importance of the mental game:As much as last season tested him, Stokes said he never grew discouraged...
Dissecting QB Development
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Great quarterbacks are a special breed. One of the toughest positions to learn and play in all of sports, a quarterback has to be mentally tough enough to handle pressure from all angles, both on and off the field. Saturday's New York Times article about USC QB Mark Sanchez highlights...
When a Receiver Loses His Mind
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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So, wide receivers come from a different mold than other football positions. The New York Times describes the "divas" as flamboyant egomaniacs, players who have the mentality of world class sprinters who do as they wish in the open field -- and sometimes even celebrate prematurely...
The Value of Mental Toughness
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Comparisons are natural. People size up people they like, they don't like, they want to like, they want not to like...and those that are like them or not like them or they want to be like them...ugh. Critics and fans love to analyze past and present athletes with the "who...
Moving On and Moving Up
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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I have always wondered how people are able to move from one job to another so suddenly...coaches get other positions, players get traded, workers get transferred. Well, I'm in the midst of it right now as I have been named Head Men's Basketball Coach for the California Institute...
Program Refreshers
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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It has been a hectic, yet exciting time for me in this unprecedented move to Pasadena. I've been constantly thinking about the basketball program and the vision -- what to do, what not to do, what to expect, what not to expect.From a psychological standpoint, a newly tapped energy...
The Goal is to Have a Goal, and a Good One
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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In my experience, one of the most trendy items to cover in the preseason is the topic of goals. I do not know the percentage of coaches that ask their players and teams to set them, but I would venture to say goal setting is one of the strongest correlated variables in sports preparation...
Feeling Fear, and Acting on It
March 11, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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As long as a team is winning, everything is great, right? Who wants to change a system or work on player dynamics or adjust defensive assignments when the squad is rolling? But then, somehow, the team loses. Bad luck? Too cocky? Not focused? Just a bad night? Whatever the case, there...
Analysis with the Aces
March 09, 2009 by
Doc's Head Games
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Just getting back from the third annual Sloan Sports Analytics Conference held at MIT. On the day of the Institute?s men?s basketball team?s historical run into the second round of the DIII NCAA Tournament (more on that later), there was quite a lineup to view inside the intentionally contorted ...
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