Train & coach mental fitness skills
Mental fitness is like on-field fitness - it can be trained and strengthened. It helps you perform at your best, stay switched on, and connect with teammates, both on and off the field.
Staying mentally fit means having the skills and strategies to manage mindset, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain wellbeing. Coaches can help players train their mental fitness just like their skills and endurance.
AFL Talent Wellbeing Program
Mental fitness is like your on-field fitness – it can be trained and strengthened. It helps you perform at your best, stay switched on, and connect with your teammates, both on and off the field. Staying mentally fit means having the skills and strategies to manage your mindset, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain your wellbeing. Players learn key skills such as journalling, goal setting and mindfulness.
Talent pathway players focus on building resilience so they can stay balanced, handle pressure, and perform at their best. Below you’ll find some practical tools and tips to help you practice these skills and integrate into your football training. Not every strategy works for everyone every time, so it’s important to build a toolkit of different approaches you can draw on when you need them.
It is normal to experience tough times in your footy journey, not everything goes the way you plan, with ups and downs along the way. You can work on building skills in resilience to help enhance your mental fitness and play at your best.
Mental Fitness is about building a toolbox of skills that work for you – having options to apply to different situations. They might not work for everyone, and all the time, so it is important to have several different things that you can try to support yourself.
Mindfullness
- Using mindfulness, breathing or relaxation techniques is a way of being present and aware. Take the time to have a mindful moment.
- Explore mindfulness tips and tools from headspace.
- Visit the Smiling Mind YouTube channel for guided mindfulness exercises.
Talking
- Speak to someone about what you’re going through. This could be someone in your team or a professional you can trust.
Engaging in something you love
- Like reading, listening to music, surfing, swimming or hanging out with friends.
Taking a break
- This provides you with a chance to refocus your thoughts and energy.
Eating well and getting enough sleep
- Are you getting the right amount of fuel in your body? Are you getting enough sleep to recover and rest?
TEAM TALK BALLS
AFL PLAY Team Talk Balls boost mental fitness by driving connections and conversations at local clubs around Australia.
In collaboration with Movember, the Team Talk Balls will become a key part of Ahead of the Game’s kit bag. Each club that takes part in the Movember Ahead of Our Game program will keep a Team Talk Ball for players, coaches and volunteers. These balls are a practical tool to help young players check in with each other and build connections while having a kick.
Learn more and register your interest about the Ahead of the Game program by clicking below.