If you asked almost any middle school, high school, collegiate and professional coach to name the one skill or character trait that is THE MOST important to the future success of an athlete, and most benefits the team that the athlete is on, many coaches (if not most) will tell you “the most valuable attribute a player can have is Mental Toughness.”... › Read more
In part 1 of Mental Toughness for Youth Sports we discussed when working with youth players, it is much easier and much more effective to define mental toughness in relation to key on-court/on-field and off-court/off-field BEHAVIORS. Key mental toughness behaviors are very easy to understand, simple to create a plan for, and simple to execute. In addition, behaviors can often be scored, which means that improvements can be measured and monitored... › Read more
One of the greatest needs of almost every coach, athlete and team, is a drill or mechanism that can enhance a team’s focus, poise, and mental toughness – in a relatively short space of time. Why a relatively short space of time? › Read more
An often-ignored component of speed training is intelligent recovery. Elite teams know that effective recovery between practices and games can result in fewer injuries, greater speed, strength, and conditioning gains, in addition to greater energy reserves and intensity for that next all-important game... › Read more
Following the cardio flush for lactic acid, ten minutes of self-myofacial release (foam rolling) should be done on a hard foam roller from head to toe to bring muscles back to their optimal length (the term is called optimal length tension relationship in muscles) and is another critical key to recovery. Athletes need to be shown how to do this correctly... › Read more
Dear Icebox: I have plenty of athletes who are tough and talented, but not motivated to do the extra work necessary over the Summer to come into pre-season both improved and in shape. How do you increase the motivation of athletes for the Summer when they are away from the coaching staff and the school setting? › Read more
The most talented player on my college team is habitually late to practice and other team sessions. Though he is usually a selfless player on the court and usually treats his teammates with respect, I think his lateness sets a bad tone for the team, especially since he is a senior and is not setting a good example to the younger players... › Read more
Here is a sobering thought....In the entire history of high school and collegiate sports, the most important individual and team championship skill is often the skill that is practiced the least...namely to develop the necessary level of composure to perform extremely well under pressure... › Read more
Recent Posts
December 7, 2018
0 Comments
Icebox Athlete President, Dr. Spencer Wood rehired by MLB team for 2nd season The Detroit Tigers have extended their ‘Mental Skills Coach’ relationship with Icebox founder Dr. Spencer Wood to provide mental skills and toughness training services throughout the Detroit Tigers organization, with primary responsibility for the Major League Players. The training responsibilities will include
April 19, 2017
University of Florida turn to Icebox Athlete to help improve free-throw shooting! The following excerpt was written by Kevin Brockway, staff writer, Gatorsports.com and ESPN.com GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Renowned sports psychologist Spencer Wood isn’t ready to take credit for Florida’s early improvement at the free-throw line. “It’s a small sample size,” Wood said. “It will be
April 8, 2016
This is the most important training tool to come along in quite some time. Icebox eliminates pressure in the mind of the athlete..it is worth its’ weight in gold. Clay Shiver 5 Yr NFL Pro Center – Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers
July 20, 2015
Icebox Athlete is honored to announce an on-going partnership with USA Basketball to provide cutting-edge mental skills and toughness training tips and insights for the broad population of coaches and athletes that USA...Click Here Read More!