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Steering sportsmen
| Pradeep Aggarwal extends his help to sportspersons to gain mental strength |
IN SPORTS, some small changes can make big differences. Often there's little disparity in the physical prowess of sportsmen. What sets winners apart from the rest, even at the highest levels, is superior mental strength.
Pradeep Aggarwal's brand of sports counselling involves no religion or philosophy but techniques such as NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), hypnotism and EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy). He's in the field for the love of sport, rather than for monetary gain. "This works against me at times," says Aggarwal, "for sportsmen don't take my tips seriously or carry on with them till their logical conclusion."
To illustrate the importance of internal dialogue, he asks a subject to hold his hand horizontally. "Who do you think is the best in the business," Aggarwal asks. When the subject names so and so, Agarwal applies pressure on the raised hand, which sinks to the side. He then asks the subject to say, "I am the best," when raising the hand. This time the hand does not buckle; perhaps a sign that it is every man's desire to be the best and certain resilience comes naturally with that belief.
Positive affirmation is another tool, where instead of dwelling on failure, the quest is for ways to improve, with stress on the word `easily.' Citing the example of a Bengal bowler, he says changing beliefs helped ease out mental blocks to achievement and increase the speed of delivery from 120 to 140 kmph.
His bowling however became erratic, calling for more changes in his `mental makeup.' A rhythm was struck and his performance showed substantial improvement, finding him among the wickets far more often than before.
Aggarwal is reluctant to name famous sports personalities he has advised for he would be reneging on the confidentiality clause of his sessions. "They tend to be quite receptive to ideas when they are down and out, but are unwilling to admit the gains made from counselling when they strike form," he rues.
Very often there are no clear and defined goals. Many bowlers he has talked to aim for accuracy, while displaying an inadequate hunger for wickets. Reliving failure is a bane among most national sportsmen. Hypnotic anaesthesia that he administers, not only controls pain but also helps healing the injured sportsmen, he says.
Aping role models sidelines natural skills, this malady made worse by unsolicited advice and too many coaches. The failed wicket-keeping of Parthiv Patel is a case in point, brought about by his being pulled in various directions, thanks to contradicting inputs.
One cricketer was content just being in the squad without making it to the final eleven for fear of failure and brickbats that would follow, when he would actually take the field. Anchoring in time is essential. If things happen too soon around you, it means you're behind time, while if it is vice versa, it means you are in command. The huddle that the Indian cricket team goes into often is an example of team anchor, says Aggarwal.
You're over-confident, a cricketer's girlfriend once told him. That played on his mind till self-doubt crept in. Shutting out negative suggestions through summoning of enriching experiences, concentration and meditation can produce far-reaching results, concludes the Calcutta-born counsellor.
A. JOSEPH ANTONY
Metro Plus Bangalore Chennai Delhi Hyderabad Kochi |
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