Timeout Taken
07/20/23
Timeouts during games allow athletes a brief opportunity to physically and mentally regroup. This gives athletes a moment to catch their breath and discuss potential modifications to their play or game plan. Coaches and athletes have to be strategic when they take their time outs based on factors like athlete fatigue, poor execution, or wanting an extra minute to think a play call over. Not only are the number of timeouts limited, but the length of timeouts are short so it’s essential they are used wisely. As athletes, you can’t afford to waste the timeout or you risk not taking advantage of the physical, mental, and practical reset available that could impact the outcome of the game.
The timeouts taken in sports during games, got me thinking about the potential benefit that could occur if athletes took “mental timeouts” to sharpen their mental agility and performance. Similar to in a game, I think athletes have to be strategic and intentional about when and how they go about using their “mental timeouts” in sports and life. The goal of taking a timeout is to quickly optimize athletes’ play and performance on both a physical and mental level.
What if athletes started taking “mental timeouts” outside of their games? How might it positively impact their well-being and performance? I think this idea of athletes taking “mental timeouts” could be one practical component to help athletes win the mental game. A “mental timeout” should operate like an actual timeout during a game where it can serve many different functions, whether that’s to adapt, rest, or reset (or all of the above).
Timeouts are given during games to help athletes and teams hit the pause button to regroup. However, in athletes lives there are no built in timeouts, so it’s essential they find space to take “mental timeouts” in their day to day life. This is easier said than done, as athletes have limited time and energy to devote to things outside of their daily academic and athletic demands. That being said, we still must encourage athletes to prioritize taking these small respite windows that can foster optimal wellness and performance. Just like in a game, athletes taking “mental timeouts” in their everyday life don’t have to be long to be effective. Further, it can be a small practice that helps facilitate success.
The goal of these “mental timeouts” is to hit the highlights and stay practical. This is not a time for a deep dive reflection (there’s a time and place for that too), rather a shortened assessment. The “mental timeout” is about taking inventory of the low hanging fruit that is positively or negatively impacting athletes on and off the field.
Questions for athletes to ask during “Mental Timeouts”:
1. What’s working.
2. What’s hurting.
3. What can I change.
The key when answering these questions is to be specific and name only one thing for each question. They can answer these questions from an athletic or personal point of view, but it must be something they perceive to be impacting their well-being and/or performance in the present. The practice of taking “mental timeouts” is to drill down to what’s the most important thing that’s affecting me TODAY, and what small step can I take to try and change it NOW!