So many times we 're our own worst enemy.
You've heard of self talk, where people
make a mistake and they can't let go of the
mistake and people go around with that
little voice inside them saying bad things
about themselves. And as a result, a player
can program himself to fail’
times it’s because they’re too aroused, sometimes it’s
because they’re not aroused enough. We try to give
them the skills to recognize it and get in control of
themselves."
Osborne, who holds a PhD in educational psychology,
said the psychologists help players put mistakes behind
them and concentrate on each play.
“So many times we re our own worst enemy,” Osborne
said. “You’ve heard of self talk, where people make a
mistake and they can’t let go of the mistake and people
go around with that little voice inside them saying bad
things about themselves. And as a result, a player can
program himself to fail."
Ravizza said the principles he teaches the athletes
also apply to life in general.
^^ w t’s just like when you are taking an essay test
I and you really blow the first question," he said.
“You should just try to concentrate on the next
four questions and not sit there thinking, ‘I’m stupid.’”
Ravizza developed a visualization technique to pro
gram players to succeed. Under the technique, which he
originally developed while working with the California
Angels, the players use imagination to improve on-field
performance. Ravizza or Sime meet with players indi
vidually. usually the night before a game. They help the
player relax. Then they show the player a videotape of
himself playing in a recent game.
The player closes his eyes, leans back, and with his
imagination sees himself playing. If he missed a block
on a play in an earlier game, he makes the block. If he
dropped a pass, it becomes a touchdown reception. A
missed tackle is transformed into a sack.
“The mind does not distinguish reality from imagina
tion," he said. “The information is processed in a similar
way.. . .The player can see himself in the situation. It’s
like. ‘I’ve been there before.’"
Defensive tackle Tim Rother said: “Whenever I can if
I’m having a problem with. say. a four technique, I go
and get relaxed. You see yourself looking out of your
facemask at another guy. The next two weeks I’ll see a
guy in an Oklahoma uniform. And then when I come to
practice tomorrow. I’ll do it exactly right . . . It’s like
practicing without getting hit."
Richard Bell, a wingback. also practices the imagery
technique.
“On plays where we made a mistake we correct
them," Bell said. “It takes a few minutes to get totally
relaxed. Like when I had my reverse (for a 46-yard
touchdown against Kansas State). I carried the ball in
the left hand, the wrong hand. When l visualized the
play. I carried the ball in my right hand. I even ran a
little faster.”
The psychologists also help the players slow down.
The players are under an unusually high amount
of stress, Ravizza said. Some need help dealing
with it. he said.
“One thing that 1 try to do is deal 'vith them as a total
person, that they have a total identity outside of foot
ball. although that’s tough in Nebraska." Ravizza said.
“There’s a lot of pressure there, but they definitely seek
it out. They don’t have to be playing for somebody like
Nebraska. They could always be playing Division III.”
Bell said his performance has convinced him sports
psychology works.
“If I didn’t think it helped, I definitely wouldn't do it,”
he said.
Fullback Micah Heibel said he doesn’t care if it works
or not.
“It’s nice having somebody around to complain to,”
Heibel said.
- by Kent Endacott
