Miguel A. Rodríguez: "Managing the psychological requires training".

We interviewed Miguel A. Rodríguez, expert coach in sports performance.

Beyond the spectacular nature of the tournaments and matches played in competitive sports, there are other aspects that, although more subtle, play a fundamental role in explaining the performance of athletes.

Psychological processes related to the management of emotions and attentional focus are an example of this. are an example of this. In this case we talk about these psychological variables with Miguel A. Rodríguez Ramírez, an expert in sports mental performance.

Interview with Miguel A. Rodríguez Ramírez: what is sports mental performance?

Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Ramírez is a coach specialized in sports performance and emotion management.with more than two decades of professional experience in this field. In this interview he talks to us about some of the key aspects to take into account to improve performance in sport.

What got you interested in sports mental performance and professional support for athletes?

I have been involved in sports all my life. First as an athlete, and then as a sports coach, trainer of coaches and managing sports entities. Sport is an activity closely linked to performance, although more importance is usually given to results. And of course, for an athlete or sports team to reach their maximum performance, the key is to know how to manage their mind.

In competitive sport, what are the main aspects of performance that show who knows how to manage their thoughts and emotions and who does not?

Well, during training, motivation is the most obvious aspect. For this, having a good planning of objectives and developing your commitment and responsibility with the goals you want to achieve, are the key. In competition, emotions come more into play.

I meet many athletes who perform very well in training but drop off a lot in competition. Knowing how to manage what goes on inside your head, the psychological, requires training, like any other area (technique, tactics, physical preparation), and the results you get are magnificent.

Does the athlete's age have a great influence when it comes to intervening to improve his or her performance from the management of psychological elements?

It should not. Many coaches and parents understand that there must be mental training when their athlete has problems, and that is a mistake. Mental qualities (concentration, attention, activation...) must be trained and enhanced.

Although importance is given to all this when bad results come, in reality there is a progressive development, and like any learning, the younger the athlete is, the greater his achievements and evolution.

What role does Emotional Intelligence play in the management of anxiety when competing in sport?

It is very important. As I said, to understand what it is that you are feeling, stress, anxiety, fear, pressure, where it comes from and above all how it can help you, to change things completely. That is why emotional intelligence applied to sport, I call it Sports Intelligence, is key to make something negative, a strong point in your performance as an athlete.

In terms of the ability to concentrate on the sporting activity and not give in to psychological rumination or catastrophic thoughts, what are the most commonly used strategies?

In my case, I always opt for Mindfulness-based training. It is the best tool to develop attention and concentration, and not to fall into negative internal dialogue.

Off the field, I approach it in a practical and planned way, to make it enjoyable for the athlete who is looking for action, not someone to explain things to him.

On the playing field, with concentration rituals and attention focusing techniques. It is very important that the athlete perceives it as just another training session, because that is the way to improve in all facets of his sports career.

What are the main phases of intervention with athletes in helping them develop their emotion management skills?

The first thing should be to help them to be aware of their level in this regard. Of the aspects that strengthen them and those that need to be improved. From that point of view, the work then focuses on finding the best way to apply each of the variables of performance and mental management that an athlete has to control to be their best version, to achieve their maximum performance and their sporting goals. The process that I frame for you is awareness-goal setting-development of responsibility-practical training.