When it comes to sports, fans and athletes have come to expect one constant – the unexpected.
Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports sat down with budding young U.S. Ski Team standout Alex “AJ” Ginnis to get his thoughts on preparing for the unexpected.
In our exclusive Take 5 interview, A.J. shared that he mentally prepares for a competition by getting into a “mental routine” that involves repetition of precise, specific thoughts and actions.
AJ said that this approach allows him to be as “confident, relaxed and clear” as possible prior to the start of competition. He believes firmly in the value of “routine” when it comes to proper preparation and training.
“I believe that a key to great preparation is routine,” explained AJ “You want to establish a routine on training days and transfer it into a day of competition. So that when I’m at a competition about to push out of the start gate, I’m going to be in the same mental state I was the day before in training.”
AJ also told us that it’s important for athletes to remember they can only control certain aspects of a competition. Two things they can always control are their attitude and effort. When the “unexpected” happens during competition, AJ believes it’s best for young athletes to focus closely on those aspects of their performance.
“The only thing I can control is my attitude and giving my max effort,” said AJ “So when you’ve been dealt an “unexpected” hand, do what you can that’s within your control.”
AJ also had some thoughts on how parents can help young athletes prepare for the unexpected by both “encouraging” and “challenging” them in a positive fashion.
To read the full Take 5 interview with AJ, visit ResponsibleSports.com. Come back next month for another exclusive Take 5 interview!
At Liberty Mutual Insurance, we constantly look for ways to celebrate the countless acts of responsibility shown by people every day. We created Responsible Sports, powered by Positive Coaching Alliance, as part of this belief to help ensure that our kids experience the best that sports have to offer in environments that promote and display responsibility. We believe kids can learn valuable life lessons when coaches and parents come together to support winning on and off the field.
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