bcl20
Well-Known Member
There's nothing childish about point out how you've misconstrued every point that I and others have made.
Is mental toughness real?
- Thread starter Bigtenchamp
- Start date
There's nothing childish about point out how you've misconstrued every point that I and others have made.
Hell we saw last year how much more mentally tough Baylor was than Iowa. It was embarrassing, we didn't have anyone who was mentally tough enough to lock down Pierre Jackson.
Bigtenchamp
Well-Known Member
By others you mean you and Hawkfan... because that's not a whole lot of "others"
This current squad is mentally weak because they can't close out big games. Eric May was a senior captain of a team that went 2-7 in B10 conference games that were decided by four points or less. Eric May was mentally weak.
Coming from a coaches perspective, mental toughness is definitely reality. HOWEVER, it must be trained/taught/practiced with specifics for the kids to grasp. You cannot just talk about it but must actually practice it. I have no idea what Fran and Staff do to teach it. Most top college programs in many sports actually bring in guys like Brian Cain to help teach it to the team. I will tell you from first hand experience, it is something I took time out of practice for my past season and actually trained the kids, and it got us over the "hump" we had hit the previous couple seasons. 100% believer in training the mental game.
bcl20
Well-Known Member
Right, different point than I was making. And this just proves that words weren't understood.
HomerChampless
Well-Known Member
Even though you know this season is different for Baylor, you still have to disagree with my post and provide a dig... You're pathetic. And a stalker?
The people that are quick to call others stalkers and usually the ones who are actually stalkers. Not surprising in your case.
HomerChampless
Well-Known Member
Maybe May was mentally strong 'cause he got the most out of his athletic ability?
HomerChampless
Well-Known Member
Ooh. And you hold grudges, too.
You can stop stalking me at any point.
Bigtenchamp
Well-Known Member
Mental toughness:
Being able to play a pick up basketball game and hit open shots.
Get in a real game with officials and a crowd.. all the sudden cant hit shots that normally hit because of the lime light and pressure...
A player who can hit free throws throughout the game... but then in the clutch suddenly drops in %
A player who in practice can dominate but gets in games and cant produce.
Basically mental toughness in all walks of life equates to being able to handle pressure and adversity.
woodyk1
Well-Known Member
OK, it looks like you did a good job of describing what is NOT mental toughness. What really defines mental toughness? Even Michael Jordan said he missed as many tough shots as he made over his career. Is the mental toughness the fact that he wanted to take those shots? Meanwhile, Scottie Pippen didn't like it when Kukoc was given the final shot (that he made). Is wanting to get fouled late in the game equate to mental toughness? Or, only making the free throws/tough shots at that point?
And, as I asked in a previous post, what about the practice players that help prepare the starters (and subs who play)? Are they not mentally tough, or not talented enough? How does mental toughness manifest itself in other sports, other activities (band, orchestra, debate team, every day work)? I think it is difficult for someone who is not involved in a program (such as us message board posters) to determine who is mentally tough just by results (wins, losses, etc.) or stats. Someone has to win a game, and someone has to lose. Not all losses are based in mental toughness.
woodyk1
Well-Known Member
Obviously one has to have some physical talent. See my previous post buried in the midst of all the spats from others in this thread. It does have to be trained, but yes I would say it comes through in the pressure situations with the lights on brightest. Much of it revolves around breathing and teaching yourself to get your breathing under control, which then helps you control your physical when the adrenaline is rushing.
DFaceHawkeye
Well-Known Member
Bigtenchamp
Well-Known Member
Mental toughness can definately be learned... it also is not the only reason for winning and losing.
It mental toughness exists in all aspects of life.
woodyk1
Well-Known Member
So, I guess it's like pornography. You know it when you see it? It seems tough to define.
