Performance coaching - humour me.

[tikay]

Overall, I think atheletes have improved tremendously through specialised coaching (actually, sport performance is my main field).

A mile can be run by our top distance runners more than 12 seconds faster than what Roger Bannister achieved.

Is it not more the money side of things that bothers you anyway, Tikay?

No, it's not the money side that troubles me, not at all.

I think it's something to do with the Emperors new suit of clothes!

I agree, athletes run farther, faster, quicker. But dietary understanding, knowledge of muscular function ditto, just general "progress" as in all things must be part of it. And Roger (Bannister) was not a full-time athlete, there were no such things, whreas they all do it full-time these days. Goalkeepers are better these days? Yup, agreed, but there is no poof this is down to gurus, or "specialised coaches", just as there is no proof that it is NOT down to them.

I just a sceptic, I guess. Did George Best, Jimmy White, Steve Davis, Micky Wernick, Gary Sobers, David Bryant, Ian Botham, Viv Richards, or Pele, need Performance Coaches? (Though, with hindsight, I'm not sure what that proves).

I think it's past my bedtime.

XX

[Colchester Kev]

agreed, but there is no poof

I think it's past my bedtime.

XX

yes i think it probably is

[Royal Flush]

Having said that, while in Singapore, we visited the "Royal Selangor" pewter factory & Museum where i purchased a rather fetching pewter fish

So in singapore you went on a museum tour?

It was more a case of we were bundled in there with no idea what was going on. Myself and Kev were pissing ourselves the whole way round, especially when the mug demonstrating how they made a pewtar money tree broke it!!!! Classic

[boldie]

Just found this thread and I think it's a superb idea. I know quite a few atlethes and pro-footie players and they swear by it. It's all about mindset and a sports psychologist/performance coach can definetly help you with that.

Goodluck, i reckon it will prove money well spent.

[matt674]

While i can understand the logic behind the idea i just dont think it would work with poker players.

Not the actual psychological side of it but the financial side........

Most Professional athletes earn a set wage and therefore can afford to see trainers or sports psychologists if need be, or they play for a team that pays for them on their behalf.

Poker players would have to pay for this themselves and more often than not the time when they are needed most is during a bad-spell which is actually the worst time for a poker player, losing money on the tables without return is bad enough but to have to try and pay someone to turn your fortunes around is going to hurt the bankroll even more.

When poker players are going through a good spell then the trainer or psychologist isn't really needed as things are going great and confidence in your own ability is enough to keep you playing your "a-game".

Personally i think that forums like this prove to be the ideal ground for performance coaching, you've got some of the games top players, live and online to give their views on hands and situations - and the best part is, ITS FREE!!

[tikay]

While i can understand the logic behind the idea i just dont think it would work with poker players.

Not the actual psychological side of it but the financial side........

Most Professional athletes earn a set wage and therefore can afford to see trainers or sports psychologists if need be, or they play for a team that pays for them on their behalf.

Poker players would have to pay for this themselves and more often than not the time when they are needed most is during a bad-spell which is actually the worst time for a poker player, losing money on the tables without return is bad enough but to have to try and pay someone to turn your fortunes around is going to hurt the bankroll even more.

When poker players are going through a good spell then the trainer or psychologist isn't really needed as things are going great and confidence in your own ability is enough to keep you playing your "a-game".

Personally i think that forums like this prove to be the ideal ground for performance coaching, you've got some of the games top players, live and online to give their views on hands and situations - and the best part is, ITS FREE!!

Perfectly put!

[matt674]

Personally i think that forums like this prove to be the ideal ground for performance coaching, you've got some of the games top players, live and online to give their views on hands and situations - and the best part is, ITS FREE!!

and just to prove the theory works....................

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=9351.0

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=9403.0

have to be read in order

[TightEnd]

but there's always an exception to the rule...

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<!

[boldie]

When poker players are going through a good spell then the trainer or psychologist isn't really needed as things are going great and confidence in your own ability is enough to keep you playing your "a-game".

thisd is actually quite a common mistake people make. You don't just use them when you are running bad. You use them all year round. Yes, it's an investment but for most people being in the right state of mind really works. I also remembered snoops writing something about this a little while ago (the "Jumping onto the right table " article mentions it), the right frame of mind is essential for anyone taking anything seriously and wanting to perform consistently well. Wether it'd be reading a book, listening to music or doing tantric breathing excercises doesn't matter. A coach can help you with this.

Sure getting help from a forum is great BUT that helps with the more practical aspects of the game (hand analysis etc.) the mental side of the game can be helped by getting a sportphychologist or performance coach in. I read a lot about people who are bored with the game..or who think about quitting because they are on a bad run. Most of the advise they are given is "Step away from the game and just come back in a week or two", where actually for a pro this might not be the best thing to do as they would be losing 2 weeks worth of salary.

I'm not saying it's for everyone, but anyone who wants to give it a crack and is willing to pay money for it deserves the best of luck and I can't wait to see if it's works.

[ifm]

Nick Faldo is not the best example for Tikays argument, he and Leadbetter were a phenominal partnership until Faldo decided to do it himself.
Look at Woods and Harmon, Goosen was a jobbing pro before he employed that psychologist chap (and the same chap has been employed by many other pro's since).
Though this has turned around a bit as it was originally about the the psychological aspect, golf coaches and kicking coaches are about technique.

[Dingdell]

Personally i think that forums like this prove to be the ideal ground for performance coaching, you've got some of the games top players, live and online to give their views on hands and situations - and the best part is, ITS FREE!!

and just to prove the theory works....................

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=9351.0

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=9403.0

have to be read in order

I know, I know!    I just don;t want to lean on Blonde too much!

At the time of those posts I received a lot of criticism from one member who thought I was posting a 'woe is me' story about struggling and then magically winning the following week - and that it was all a bit of a 'look at me' attempt. Far from it, I just wanted to thank people for their support etc. and I was dead chuffed!

One of my character flaws is that I'm the first to admit failings and carry them with me allowing them to affect me in all sorts of ways.  Posting for help on Blonde is an excellent resource - after all if you can't ask your blonde friends about poker who can you ask?!

I completely agree that Blonde is a great motivator/sounding board etc etc but I don't want to be always asking for support from Blonde - a bit repetitive - and the idea of the coaching is that I can replicate the feelings of confidence I got from Blonde without having to post a thread about it!!

As for the money side of it, my understanding is that a lot of this work can be done quite quickly - one session will get me a long way to being able to get in the right mind set at the time I want it and ignore the 'bad luck' things like forgetting the earrings! 

First session booked for Tuesday at 4pm........watch out Luton!!
 ;bat;

[Swordpoker]

While i can understand the logic behind the idea i just dont think it would work with poker players.

Not the actual psychological side of it but the financial side........

Most Professional athletes earn a set wage and therefore can afford to see trainers or sports psychologists if need be, or they play for a team that pays for them on their behalf.

Poker players would have to pay for this themselves and more often than not the time when they are needed most is during a bad-spell which is actually the worst time for a poker player, losing money on the tables without return is bad enough but to have to try and pay someone to turn your fortunes around is going to hurt the bankroll even more.

When poker players are going through a good spell then the trainer or psychologist isn't really needed as things are going great and confidence in your own ability is enough to keep you playing your "a-game".

Personally i think that forums like this prove to be the ideal ground for performance coaching, you've got some of the games top players, live and online to give their views on hands and situations - and the best part is, ITS FREE!!

Personally, I've never worked with a paid athlete (wish I did 'coz then I could charge more  )

It's rarely about 'fixing' problems with your game. Instead, it's about improving your overall performance. i.e. making your lows less common and less severe AND also making your good performances more common and even better.

Tiger Woods, already the best golfer in the world, took personal performance coaching and changed his game - because he wanted to be the best golfer in history.

[Snatiramas]

Or you could just choose to live your life on an even plane and not mess with your head. After all it is a complex bit of kit

[tikay]

I am prepared to offer Colchester Kev "two for the price of one" Performance Coaching Session on Heads-Up play.

[Indestructable]

Out of interest Dingdell did you go ahead with this and if so what is your view now?