Sports Psychology and Visualisation - Minds-Eye of the Tiger

Well, let us be honest, Tiger Woods is unlikely to win 'Husband of the Year' in the near future but how do you rate his chances of winning the Masters when he returns to competitive golf after nearly five months away from the game?

Tiger Woods is one of the most recognisable figures in the world, known to sports fans and non-sports fans alike. As an outstanding golfer, he's no stranger to media attention but after a very public scandal, he knows the eyes of the world will be on him for different reasons. With media and public attention focussed on his personal life, will he be able to remain focussed on his golf?

In terms of career victories, Woods is in third position in the all-time PGA Tour rankings, with only Sam Snead and Jack Nicklaus ahead of him, so his ability as a player is beyond question. However, he has twice before come back to the game after a lengthy lay-off and with mixed results. In 2006 his performance suffered after the death of his father but in 2008 he won, despite playing on a seriously injured knee. This highlights how important it is for competitive sports players to be mentally prepared as well as physically prepared before making a return to play.

Mind Control

American golf writer Ian O'Connor believes that Tiger Woods' return to golf will create unprecedented interest in this year's Masters at Augusta. With this being the case, it begs the question why Woods should choose such a major event to make his return? According to former golf pro Arnold Palmer, Augusta is in fact a wise choice as the venue affords the organisers, and the players, a great deal of control over external factors that might affect the game.

"Augusta is the one place in the world where you can really have control. They will control everything from the crowds to the situation that will be facing Tiger" - Arnold Palmer

A mentally prepared competitor knows that worrying about external factors out with their control is counterproductive. But, with the potential for intrusive media interest, Tiger Woods no doubt views Augusta as his best opportunity to focus on his game without distractions.

With external factors under control, Woods will then need to utilise a number of sports psychology techniques to remain in control of internal factors.

Visualisation

Tiger Woods will have played every hole on the course countless time through visualisation. He will know the best course of action to take under every set of circumstances - no shot he plays on the day will cause a surprise (not to him anyway!), allowing him to feel in total control of every aspect of his performance. He will not only have seen every shot in his mind's-eye, he will have felt every tiny detail of his body position through every swing he takes, and he will have heard the sound of the ball as it rolls into the cup each time.

Positive self-talk

When you already know that not everyone in the crowd is on your side, positive self-talk becomes invaluable. An ability to boost your own confidence and to keep yourself motivated, even in a potentially negative environment, allows you to remain totally focussed on the job in hand.

Positive mental attitude / Winning mentality

Tiger Woods knows what he is capable of, he knows he has prepared, he knows he is ready, and he knows he is in winning form. Positive thoughts lead to positive actions - he'll be letting his actions do the talking.

"I can promise you he's not going to come out if he is trying to play his way into shape, especially at Augusta - he will be ready, mark my words" - Jay Townsend, BBC golf pundit

Having recently apologised to just about everyone on the surface of the earth - and their dog - he will be out there making sure he doesn't owe himself an apology for playing anything other than his best.

Review Feature Office 2010 Game (FR)

The Benefits Of Team Sports For Children

While it's been long known that children can benefit physically from participating in team sports, few realize the psychological benefits associated with enrolling their child in team sports that they enjoy. The importance of physical activity such as team sports is at an all-time high due to the fact that many of our children are now overweight. Studies show that currently, only one out of four adolescent children participated regularly in any type of organized physical activity. This statistic is frightening to hear considering that the number of obese adolescents in America has nearly tripled in the past 20 years. In 1980, 5% of all adolescents were overweight. A study conducted in 1999 showed that a shocking 14% of all adolescents now have a weight problem.

Exercise has been shown to help many problems when it comes to both the physical and the mental well-being in participants. People that are enrolled on sports teams burn calories by exercising, helping to ward off any weight problems that may be present. Exercise is known to aid insomnia, depression, and low self-esteem, which is important in the world of today where many children feel inadequate due to all the perfection displayed by the media. Regular physical activity also helps the body to manage stress; alertness and a calm attitude are trademarks of a physically fit individual, which can help them to get through stressful times with a minimum of difficulty. A study conducted by the Women's Sports Foundation found that adolescents that were regularly involved in teen sports were less likely to engage in sexual activity until later in life than those who were not in team sports. Also, teens on sport teams were found to be less likely to use drugs than their non-playing counterparts, and were less likely to be involved in abusive relationships. In addition, the students involved in sports had a higher chance of graduating high school and college.

The benefits and rewards associated with setting goals and following through on a sports team are innumerable, and can be clearly seen in the results portrayed in this article. For that reason, it is important for adults to encourage their children to be involved in some type of team sport. While the actual context of the sport can vary greatly, simply being on the team and physically exerting themselves can cause your child to lead a happier, healthier life. The physical and mental benefits associated with team sports are simply too shocking to ignore.

Game (FR)

Wii Sports Resort Review

Wii Sports Resort is a hit new Wii game.  It has it all: good graphics, good controls, good gameplay, and much more.

The coolest thing about this game is the ability for everyone to play.  Anyone can pick up a remote and start playing quickly.  Yet, there is still enough depth that the sports can be mastered.    

There are over 12 sports to play in Wii Sports Resort.  All of them have more than one mode to play on.  The events are: 

Fencing
Table Tennis
Biking 
Basketball
Wave-boarding
Archery
Disc throwing
Skydiving
Air Sports
Bowling 
Golf
And More!

The coolest thing about Wii Sports Resort is how realistic it is.  Parents can actually beat kids because you actually have to play like you are playing the sport in real life.  The Wii Motion Plus accessory (included) registers every movement and ultimately makes playing a blast.

Every person can find something here.  There are games for everyone and they are actually in-depth.  For each sport there are different variations of it.  Stamps are also given out for completing hard tasks.  You will never get bored.

Beating the game fully will take around 30-50 hours to complete.  Even when you beat the game, you will be coming back for more.  Wii Sports Resort is very addictive.

I believe that every Wii owner should have this game.  It is a must buy.

Make sure to check out my article (in my author signature) to learn more about this game, watch videos, look at pictures, and read tips that will help you get all the stamps and master all the sports.

Review Feature Office 2010 Game (FR)

EA SPORTS: MMA

EA SPORTS: MMA Review

EA SPORTS: MMA Feature

• Punch, kick and grapple using a vast array of fighting styles from around the globe
• Master parrying, slipping, countering and dodging to oppress your opponents
• Pit your skills against massive opponents in a ring or a hexagonal or circular cage
• Grapple in lifelike environments filled with ring girls and corner men
• Bring everyone's favorite large-and-in-charge personality into the cage when you unlock the best referee in the business, Big John McCarthy

EA SPORTS: MMA Overview

EA SPORTS MMA brings the authenticity of the world’s most intense combat sport home like never before. Choose from the world’s top fighters or climb the ranks of the worldwide circuit with your created prodigy to become the ultimate MMA champion. Travel the globe and learn a multitude of fighting techniques and skills from masters in each discipline. Select from various weight classes, rule sets, and take on all challengers in multiple cage types or a ring. The challenge continues online with the most robust offering for any MMA videogame, including the ability to create and share custom fighters, prize fights, and more. Are you ready? Let’s get it on!

EA SPORTS: MMA Specifications

You walk into the cage and the floor pulses with the energy of the arena. Sweat drips down your brow as you step out to the center. The bell rings and the match begins. While sizing up your opponent, you find the weakness you've been searching for. A hook comes from your left and you dodge at the last possible moment. You feel a breeze as his fist barely misses your nose, and you counter with a devastating right uppercut — striking him squarely in the jaw. His head jerks back in a violent motion, spraying sweat into the air before he falls backward to the mat. While you prepare to make your opponent submit, the referee calls it a knockout and the crowd erupts. This is the world of mixed martial arts — are you ready to fight?

Three different rings to fight in

Fight against massive opponents

Synopsis

You walk into the cage and the floor pulses with the energy of the arena. Sweat drips down your brow as you step out to the center. The bell rings and the match begins. While sizing up your opponent, you find the weakness you've been searching for. A hook comes from your left and you dodge at the last possible moment. You feel a breeze as his fist barely misses your nose, and you counter with a devastating right uppercut — striking him squarely in the jaw. His head jerks back in a violent motion, spraying sweat into the air before he falls backward to the mat. While you prepare to make your opponent submit, the referee calls it a knockout and the crowd erupts. This is the world of mixed martial arts — are you ready to fight?

Get ready for the raw intensity of mixed martial arts with EA SPORTS MMA. Step into the cage and punch, kick and grapple with the world's top fighters in the sport while employing a variety of fighting styles from around the globe. Select from various weight classes, rule sets and take on all challengers in multiple cage types or a ring. Continue the challenge online with the ability to create and share custom fighters, prize fights and more. Master takedowns, unique submission moves and more to dominate your opponents in the cage and rise through the ranks to become the top MMA fighter. There's one way to know you've really made it big — hear the biggest name in refereeing announce your name. You'll encounter everyone's favorite black-belt ref for yourself and bring larger-than-life personality into your game when you unlock Big John McCarthy. And that means only one thing — it's time to "Get it On."

Step into the cage with some of the world's top MMA fighters, including the world's #1 heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko, in addition to MMA legends Randy Couture and Dan Henderson, as well as international stars Shinya Aoki and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza

Use an array of fighting styles

Key Features:

• Punch, kick and grapple using a vast array of fighting styles from around the globe
• Master parrying, slipping, countering and dodging to oppress your opponents
• Pit your skills against massive opponents in a ring or a hexagonal or circular cage
• Grapple in lifelike environments filled with ring girls and corner men
• Bring everyone's favorite large-and-in-charge personality into the cage when you unlock the best referee in the business, Big John McCarthy
• Get introduced by ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. while MMA legends Frank Shamrock and Mauro Ranallo call the action
• Take the offensive with Total Strike Control, an intuitive control system for striking, elbows, knees and kicks
• Fight opponents who intuitively and strategically manage their advances or counters to secure the desired outcome
• Compete in the most established gyms across Japan, Brazil, Thailand and the United States to learn new skills and techniques in career mode
• Rise a created fighter up through the ranks to make one of biggest stages in mixed martial arts — Strikeforce
• Create a unique, personalized roster of fighters with Photo Game Face For 1 to 2 players

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 18, 2010 20:50:26

Review Feature Office 2010

Wii Sports Resort - Wii Fencing Minigame Review

Like many fencers, I approach any mention of "fencing!" in a game or movie with trepidation. I'm mainly looking at how "they" are going to screw things up and totally misrepresent fencing as a sport.

One of the most featured games in pre-launch was the "fencing" game in Wii Sport Resort. I saw the videos from E3 and the promotional stuff and just had to try it. After my really bad experience with Clone Wars: Jedi Duals, the bar was set pretty low.

The Asian influence is apparent in the game. The Wii menu calls the game "swordfighting" and not "fencing". Score +1 (for not trying to call it something it's not.)

When you set up for the game, you're put on a circular platform above the water (think dimensions of a wrestling mat) and are equipped with your "sword", which resembles a kendo shinai, head guard, and chest guard.

The motions are simple. You hold the Wiimote vertically and swing it to swing your sword. Pulling the trigger (B button) activates blocks so you can move the wiimote to parry oncoming attacks from your opponent. Though the on screen tutorial suggests holding the wiimote with two hands (like you would do in kendo), I used one hand.  (Made it easier to emulate actual sabre fencing techniques than trying to remember any kendo.)

I wanted to see what you could do with the game, so instead of just swinging away and wailing on my opponent, I held back to see what the parry system would be like. The earlier opponents are like your U rated fencers - they wind up and you know exactly where they are going to strike. Parries are executed as traditional sabre guards - 3, 4, and 5 will do just fine.

When you make a successful block, the attacker is "stunned" for a second which gives you the time to make your riposte. As you make successful hits to your opponent, they are driven back until they fall off of the mat, to fall American Gladiators style into the pool below.

My kids (4 and 6) enjoy just having another version of "lightsabre fighting" and wail away at their opponents. I'm enjoying setting up parry-riposte combos and testing out various tactics. (By the way, you can thrust and hit in this game.)

The lack of footwork control is a drawback, but it really does simplify the gameplay. (I would prefer some sort of way to dodge or get out of distance similar to Punch Out.)

Fun Games Unlocked after Duals

The other sword fighting games are a cutting challenge and then "running the gauntlet". Do the cutting challenge once to unlock the 3rd game, where you are the typical kung-fu hero fighting through the horde of bad guys until you reach the "big boss" (who really isn't that great either).

I've only played that game once, but it was a lot of fun having my Mii run across a rope bridge cutting through 20 opponents in just a few seconds!

Review Feature Office 2010

Knockout from UFC 116 ft. Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin FULL FIGHT (UFC Undisputed 2010) Sports

www.youtube.com Click here to watch UFC Show Ep 10: Brock Lesnar V Shane Carwin & Ground Tips (UFC Undisputed 2010) Sports! Knockout from UFC 116 ft. Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin FULL FIGHT (UFC Undisputed 2010) Sports Knockout from UFC 116, Brock Lesnar knocks out Shane Carwin FULL FIGHT. Director's Channels: www.youtube.com www.teamheadkick.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Machinima on Twitter! Machinima http Inside Gaming twitter.com Machinima Respawn twitter.com Machinima Entertainment, Technology, Culture twitter.com FOR MORE MACHINIMA, GO TO: www.youtube.com FOR MORE GAMEPLAY, GO TO: www.youtube.com FOR MORE SPORTS GAMEPLAY, GO TO: www.youtube.com FOR MORE TRAILERS, GO TO: www.youtube.com TAGS: yt:quality=high UFC MMA Brock Lesnar Shane Carwin 116 2010 Undisputed teamheadkick Yuke Osaka THQ PlayStation PS3 Xbox 360 Sports Mixed Martial Arts UPC 752919551752 silva akiyama lytle brown bonnar soszynski iceman chuck liddell rich franklin dana white mirko cro cop barry thiago kampmann rothwell yvel ultimate fighting championship fight machida shogun Rua Silva Quinton Rampage Jackson mma Octagon ortiz duffee kimbo slice Team Head Kick guvnor tapout THK main shaq penn full fight knockout ko



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz4qW513DAY&hl=en

Review Feature Office 2010