Mental Training for MMA, BJJ and Muay Thai – Denver MMA Training

In MMA, BJJ or Muay Thai it takes much more then simply being strong or tough to be sucsefull as a professional fighter.  Mental training is equally important as training the body when you reach a high level in the sport, and it should be put in to your daily routine as part of your regular training regiment.

Here are some tipson mental training  from top ranked pro MMA female fighter Cat Zingano.

Cat Zingano - Pro MMA Fighter & MMA Coach.

MMA Goal Setting.

Most people are not taught how to set goals in MMA. Everyone has done it, wheter they know it or not. It could be as small as finding a lost set of keys to having an incredible vacation.

It separates success or failure, and it can divide "winners" from the "losers". Achieving goals applies to life wheter in business, education, future career as well as MMA training and athletics in general, so I beleive goal setting is one of the most important things to teach our youth so they may use it for the rest of their lives.

Just like anything, setting and achiving goals takes practice and most need to be taught.

There is no right or wrong way, but I have some techniques that will help.

Make a realistic statement and use your imagination first. Most detours by goal setters depend on what is done, or not done, along the way. Commit and plan as if you were going on a road trip. Find or make a map and plan to get to your destination. It becomes the written/spoken word.

What's the difference between a dream and a goal? The written/spoken word. It needs to be complete and focused, just like the map.

The way an athlete needs to set goals is very important; need to know:

• A clear understanding of the commitment to the sport and the plan.
• The level of competition desired.
• Knowlege and technique necessary for their level.
• Awareness of the level of performance expected.
• Understanding of where these goals fit in to and effect overall life goals.

"You set a goal to be best, and then you work hard every hour of every day, striving to reach that goal. If you allow yourself to settle for anything less then being your personal number one, you are cheating yourself" - Don Shula, NFL Hall of Fame Coach.

• Use positive goal statements every day - Written/spoken word.
• Be precise - Use a log.
• Set priorities - Prioritize with multiples.
• Set and reach small goals first.
• Remember to guage performance, not the outcome.
• Keep and set goals with as much control as possible.
• Set specific measurable goals and make sure they are realistic. (not from fans, parents, friends, media etc...)
• Do not always expect your personal best, instead, always raise your average, consistently.
• If you find you lack self respect in giving yourself the right to rest, relaxation and pleasure. Burn out is probable.
• Plan for set backs. (Illness, injury, intangibles etc...) Helps prepare for detours.

To make goals happen, we can't keep them as ideas. We have to write and speak them to stay aware of them, DAILY! Olympic wrestlers, the Brands brother, wrote down and spoke their goals 10 times in the morning and 10 times in the evening before bed, out loud. This triggers your consious and unconsious mind in congruence with our physicality.

Our decision making should be based on "does this get me closer or farther away from my goal?"
Closer = right decision = consious awareness.

* Self feed back should consist of:

"Did you try hard enough?"
"Was technique correct?"
"Goal realistic."

Coaching an athlete to his or her best may include education and evaluation help to set goals.

Final ideas to think of:

• Goals change as athletes mature.
• Goals need to be adapted for growth, maturation and personality.
• Goals should bring genuine REAL pleasure, satisfaction and achivement for the person setting the goal.

- Coach Cat Zingano

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