Reds - Cardinals: Learn to Manage Emotions

These past couple of days, the Reds and Cardinals have been in the forefront of MLB. Not because of baseball skill per say, but rather because of a 'good ole' brawl and 'them fightin' words of Brandon Phillips. Always great events for media. But the real issue is learning how to manage emotions. Athletes are continually trying to control their emotions in a way that helps performance, not hinder it. Because there is so many emotions involved in sport - whether it be the intensity of excitement or the pressure to perform when it really counts - athletes must learn to manage emotions. Baseball is and has always been ridiculous in how they permit bench clearings. Obviously all due to emotional control issues. And then Brandon Phillips - although I love his passion - did not control his emotions and gave the Cardinals good locker room motivation. He lost control of his emotions - Cardinals used this and gained control of theirs - and soundly beat the Reds. Thus, athletes need to learn to control their emotions - both on and off the field - their paychecks will be affected if they don't!

If you want to learn how to manage your emotions in sports, pick up a copy of Sport Psychology for Dummies and read Chapter 11: Handling Pressure: Playing in the Fire Without Getting Burned and Chapter 12: Staying Strong: The Importance of Managing Energy Levels.

Will College Basketball Be Stupid or Take a Lesson from Recent College Football Events?

With the recent news of Isiah Thomas being a college coach and also a consultant to an NBA team, are they realizing how much closer the connection becomes between professional sports, agents, coaches and college sports? Have the individuals in basketball personnel been in a hole recently and not seen the problems recently in college football programs and agents? Why create more potential problems! If you are in the professional ranks, be there; if you are in the college ranks, then be there.

People Need To Review Their Life If They Are So Defined by Lebron James

It is absolutely amazing how many people's moods and states of mind have been determined by the recent Lebron James decision. If you are one of these people who have have been angry, depressed, and resentful to the degree that your life mood has been negatively altered for days, then you really need to take stock in your life. It is great to be passionate about something, but when it is one person who plays basketball, it may be time to re-think your priorities in life. It would have been nice to see Lebron stay in Cleveland as I am from Ohio, but the world has not tilted on its axis for anyone based on this decision. He is one man who made a decision that made sense for him. I do not agree with the manner in which he did so, but he has to live with himself and look himself in the mirror everyday. But more importantly so do you - do you want to look in the mirror at night and know your mental state for the day has been determined by one person you have never met? Enough. I will stop writing. I have put enough time into this matter. Time to move on with more important things in life.
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Book of the Month

July's book of the month is Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else by Geoff Colvin. This book really answers some key questions to great performance. The answers may surprise you! This is packed full of great stories and research. A Dr. Kays' Top 10 of 2010!

Should Bob Bradley Go?

After the recent loss of the USA in the World Cup this past Saturday, you knew there would be rumblings and finger-pointing about who is to blame. Certainly the coach is always one of the first to be placed on the chopping block. The question is necessary to ask - Who is responsible for the loss and/or success of a team - coaches or athletes? In this case, there seems to be both praise and blame to go around. First, it is important to realize that the players and coaches are all very disappointed at the loss and exit from World Cup competition. To challenge their heart and dedication is ludicrous. To challenge the preparation of the team by the coaches and/or the ability and talent levels of the players is fair game. Blog your thoughts!

Wimbledon Match Shows Great Example of Mental Toughness

Although the match is not finished at Wimbledon, the men's singles play between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut has been one of the true displays of mental toughness. They have played over seven hours of tennis and the match is still not complete! It has been suspended due to darkness, but if you have a chance to watch the continuation tomorrow, make sure you do. And if you are a coach, athlete, or parent wanting to be inspired or wanting to put a "picture" to this concept called "mental toughness", this is a winner. No matter who wins the match, mental toughness has been displayed on both sides. Absolutely inspiring!

USA Soccer Official Could Learn a Lot from MLB Umpire

The anger and frustration have quieted a bit since an official's poor call in the last minutes of the USA-Slovenia World Cup game last Friday. It was a costly mistake by the official and a costly one for the USA. They still, however, can control their destiny this week.

FIFA and the official Koman Coulibaly could take a lesson from a recent incident in Major League Baseball. It was just several days ago where Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga was on the verge of pitching a no-hitter, when a bad call by umpire Jim Joyce ended that possibility. But what did Mr. Joyce do - he took ownership of his mistake and apologized to Armando and everyone has moved forward with positive feelings about baseball and the integrity of the sport.

What has the official Coulibaly done? Nothing. He did not even tell the players at the time what the call was. I have no problem with the mistake - it happens and it is unfortunate, but that is and will always be a part of sport. The problem is more with how he and FIFA are handling the situation. Simply step up, take responsibility, and we can all move forward, with much more positive feelings toward soccer and officiating.