KIRO 7s John Knicely sat down with Seattle sports psychologist Dr. Craig Stone to talk about the psychological challenges that come with the Super Bowl.
Here’s their conversation about player’s preparing for the biggest game of their lives:
John Knicely: The Super Bowl is another step up. How do they mentally prepare?
Dr. Stone: It's cliche, the moment isn't too big. The funny thing about this is the moment is really big. I hear Russell (Wilson) say a lot this year “finding my quiet mind” and I know he meets a lot with the team psychologist.
It's really a matter of balancing. We're talking Amygdala, those core parts of our brain "fight or flight" that are controlling our breathing. It's really powerful. We're not thinking about it, but it's keeping us alive. But it's going to spike up. Athletes are putting themselves on the line. The question is not too much.
And the way to do that is go over that and expect it to be that way. And find some coping strategies, some breathing techniques, some relaxation techniques. You're going to be excited. You can count on that. You're composed, confident, ready to engage the point by point the task at hand. Not thinking as much about the periphery, the enormity of the moment, or even the outcome. Focus on point by point the task at hand.
Knicely: Everyone faces big moments in life whether it’s a job interview or a student giving a speech in class. How can everyone apply those same lessons?
Dr. Stone: I think one of the places human beings get overwhelmed is when we think it's not supposed to be happening. We think we're derailed. So when we get nervous in front of a class, public speaking, or a job interview know that it's supposed to be this way. If we can tell ourselves that, it's supposed to be this way. Just go be me. Be the best that I can and go from there.
KIRO
