Episode 22 - Mental Training with Mental Performance Consultant Jelle Kooijman

From The First Chair Podcast

In this episode, Frank & Thierry welcome 16U Longhorns Associate Coach and Capital Athletic Therapy & Rehab Mental Performance Consultant Jelle Kooijman to discuss mental preparation, the implementation of mental skills and the Maverick Mental Training Program. (1:45) - Why is mental training so important to Frank? (5:06) - Resource: Mental Fitness for LTAD (6:40) - How can a coach start implementing a mental skill in a simple way? (8:48) - Jelle's bio (9:49) - How big is volleyball in the Netherlands? (10:30) - How did Jelle initially become interested in the mental aspect of sports? (12:58) - What did Jelle discover while completing a thesis on self-talk? (15:17) - What brought Jelle to Ottawa, Canada? (16:30) - What did coach Kooijman learn through an internship with Carleton University Women's Soccer team? (21:05) - What is Jelle's coaching philosophy as a Mental Performance Consultant? (25:35) - How important is mental training according to coach Kooijman's and how does he see it implemented ideally? (31:06) - What can a head coach do versus what can a consultant do to help the athletes develop mental skills? (33:00) - Where should a head coach fit in mental training in a season plan or a practice plan? (33:48) - Why is developing critical thinking so important with the athletes before acquiring a mental skill? (36:10) - How often should mental training drills be done? (39:05) - Should coaches use a tracking tool to ensure the mental training exercises are completed? (43:30) - What is the value of journaling as a way to enhance the mental training process? (44:41) - How can mental training still be including during on court practices with 17U and 18U athletes? (46:30) - Why did Jelle choose imagery and self-talk as the primary skills trained within the Maverick Mental Training Program? (48:10) - Could coaches benefit from imagery themselves? (51:38) - In an interview during the Tim Ferriss Show (episode #349), Lebron James indicated self-talk was one of the most important skills he trained frequently, even after many years in the NBA. (53:11) - What can a coach to do help with the implementation of the Maverick Mental Training Program? (56:30) - What resource does Jelle recommend in relation to learning about mental preparation? (57:24) - Resource: Life as Sport, by Jonathan Fader (58:50) - What additional skills will likely be added to the Maverick Mental Training Program in the coming years? (60:27) - Jelle Kooijman can be reached on Instagram at @jwk_mpt, on YouTube at JWK Mental Performance Training or Facebook at JWK Mental Performance Training