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Now is as good a time as any to honor someone who played a huge role in broadening the reach of sport psychology as a field: @KenRavizza1 // he played a small role in my education - an all-day seminar - but left an indelible impact. Here are my notes from that day; a thread /1
There is no magic dust. You have to work your mental game and doing so may be simple at times, but it’s not easy.
“This ain’t Disneyland.” /2
“This ain’t Disneyland.” /2
The mental game is dynamic, constantly requiring adjustments, simple but complex (“simplexity”) // Ken used a chicken sandwich analogy: every time you take a bite, the contents move around! (Can I add that the mental game is delicious? No? Ok:) /3
It’s one thing to know a thing, another to experience it. You have to work the skills you teach others. Your lack of authenticity will be exposed without doing so.
/4
/4
Context context context. Learn and adapt to the context you find yourself in
/5
/5
Ken’s top tool: breathing. Need energy? Focus on the inhalation. Need to relax? Focus on the exhalation.
(My commentary: simple! But not easy when in adverse situations) /6
(My commentary: simple! But not easy when in adverse situations) /6
“You need to be where you need to be when you need to be there.” Present. Moment. Focus! /7
“Are you that shitty that you have to feel well to perform well?” - classic Ravizza-ism
and: “have a good shitty day!”
and: “give 100% of the 70% you have that day.”
and, and, and....
This man coined a lexicon’s worth of sticky stuff /8
and: “have a good shitty day!”
and: “give 100% of the 70% you have that day.”
and, and, and....
This man coined a lexicon’s worth of sticky stuff /8
“The game begins before it begins.” How do you know you’re ready when you step onto the field? How have you prepared? Check in with yourself.
/9
/9
There were 40+ people in the room that day. He asked us if we could give him 30 seconds of attention. Then he asked every single person in the room if they could do so. We all said yes. Then he spoke for 30 sec. straight, looking for eye contact & complete focus. 30sec drill! /10
Proactive approach to your sport: you are driving the car
Reactive approach: it is happening to me
Which one are you?
/11
Reactive approach: it is happening to me
Which one are you?
/11
Ken was big on the starts and ends of things.
See: “it begins before it begins.”
And: “you’re not done until you’re done. Finish the thing!”
Use after action reviews to learn from what you experienced /12
See: “it begins before it begins.”
And: “you’re not done until you’re done. Finish the thing!”
Use after action reviews to learn from what you experienced /12
Traffic light awareness tool: green- going good! Yellow- check surroundings, slow down, red- need to stop
/13
/13
Control (what you can) 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> commit to your best effort/attitude/focus https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> compete https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> next play
/14
/14
A game
B game
C game
It’s not about the zone. It’s how do you adapt and adjust. /15
B game
C game
It’s not about the zone. It’s how do you adapt and adjust. /15
Use transition moments to your advantage: how do you get in and out of performance. Think 30 sec focus drill- heavy focus then release of focus to regroup /16
How you handle situations is more important than what you say. Model the behavior you want to see.
/17
/17
Needs of a consultant:
-confidentiality
-open/honest communication
-the basics of SP
-referral procedure
-support of coaches
-vocabulary of reinforcement /18
-confidentiality
-open/honest communication
-the basics of SP
-referral procedure
-support of coaches
-vocabulary of reinforcement /18
Consultants must:
-know themselves
-know who they’re there to serve
-have a support system
-brief moments: be around!
-be yourself
-know their why
/19
-know themselves
-know who they’re there to serve
-have a support system
-brief moments: be around!
-be yourself
-know their why
/19
Don’t ask for gear!!! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💯" title="Hundert Punkte Symbol" aria-label="Emoji: Hundert Punkte Symbol">
/20
/20
More than any notes, the most impactful part of the day was a 5 min conversion w/Ken at the end of the day. A line of people waited their turn. For 5 min, Ken close-talked me, never shifted his gaze, and made me the only focus of his attention. /21
This full locked-in presence with you, his capacity to genuinely care, spoke volumes about the man he was. /22
Last one (I’ve left out a ton), a quote that resonates:
“Take the work seriously, don’t take yourself seriously.”
@KenRavizza1 thank you for all you’ve left behindhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙏🏼" title="Gefaltete Hände (mittelheller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Gefaltete Hände (mittelheller Hautton)">
/23
“Take the work seriously, don’t take yourself seriously.”
@KenRavizza1 thank you for all you’ve left behind
/23
To a few people who I know had a close relationship w/him, hope this brought you a smile: @TraciStatler @EricBeanPhd @SportPsychFocus @MVP_Mindset @BrianCainPeak @channelswimjen Angie Fifer Doug Chadwick and many more I don’t know!
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