Fumbling the Ball on How to Reduce Anxiety for College Athletes
Unfortunately, the Villanova professors missed the mark with their suggestions on how to reduce anxiety for college athletes (Philadelphia Inquirer, August 11, 2022)
While the data they collected was valid, most of the conclusions they formed will do nothing to help the students or their mental health.
They start out strong by exposing the pain — yes, self-reported levels of anxiety amongst all young athletes is SKY HIGH. There have been way too many stories recently of young athletes taking their own life due to the stress of their sports experience.
Their research specifically identifies the biggest areas of anxiety for athletes — time management, expectations, future plans, academics and more.
The professors of sociology, theology and theater suggest — although they do not state — anxiety amongst college athletes is so prevalent that it could be considered an epidemic.
But then the professors fumble the ball.
First, they seem to think changing the culture of college sports from the top-down is the answer. They say we need to “move away from definitions of “rigor” based strictly on the number of hours spent on a sport.”
The professors go on to say, “…schools should stop judging the value of sports and coaches primarily by winning percentages or conference championships.”
“We need to change the very structure of college athletics.”
Umm, sure. Wait — I think I just saw a unicorn gallup by.
Ya Gotta Change Belief Systems
What they’re truly suggesting is to change the belief systems of everyone connected with youth sports — athletes, coaches, parents, boosters, and fans. They seem to suggest more rules from the top will help change belief systems.
Yeah — good luck with that!
Not sure how they expect to change the big money world of the NCAA — and NIL. They don’t offer much of a game plan for that.
How do they propose that all Division I and Division III schools coordinate their change of culture? More rules from the NCAA?
Do they expect to see that change anytime soon? Do they have a path to changing densely wired belief systems in the SportsBrain of everyone connected to college sports?
Does that all seem unrealistic, or is it just me?
Perhaps finding REALISTIC ways to impact change would provide a more successful game plan.
The one area that the professors hit the target is when they talk about bad coaching behavior causing a lot of anxiety for athletes. Athletes are constantly dealing with verbal abuse, fear, shaming, being lied to about scholarships and playing time, and more assaults on their mental health.
Here’s the Winning Game Plan
So if you’re looking to impact change — a good place to start is with the coaches. Change the belief system of a coach — even just slightly — and the belief systems of the rest of the team (and university or high school) will begin to change, too.
And athletes themselves can be more empowered to build emotional resilience to self-direct their mental health strength building.
As a certified trauma-informed sports coach and mentor, I work with professional, college and high school athletes and coaches in developing programs to enhance mental health, resilience and grit for young athletes.
And reduce their anxiety.
I am currently working with several high school football coaches in Philadelphia and college coaches across Pennsylvania to integrate simple SportsBrain coaching strategies into training and competition.
I have also helped develop and teach a Diversity-Equity-Inclusion (DEI) in Sports program that’s been integrated at the college level in PA, as well.
(You can also see my TEDx Talk — “Healing Trauma with Sports”)
Much of the focus on reducing anxiety levels for college athletes needs to start with empowering athletes with tools of emotional regulation and a new understanding of how the SportsBrain works.
Many college athletes are trauma-impacted, so the stress they face in college is exacerbated by the impact of their trauma on the mind and body.
Even just the stress of playing high school sports can become the foundation for additional college sports stress, as well.
Empower the young heroes
Helping athletes become more aware of why they feel and react in situations like they do and empower them with healthy ways to reduce their stress — other than playing sports — will help HEAL their SportsBrain and reduce stress and anxiety.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as mentally preparing athletes for life AFTER sports. Somehow, no one ever helps them with that. Not parents, not coaches, not high schools or universities.
But the ONE THING that will really MAKE A DIFFERENCE is changing the perception of asking for help when an athlete — or anyone — feels anxious or depressed.
Asking for help for emotional and mental issues is now mostly viewed as and considered a weakness — and for many athletes makes them feel vulnerable. That’s the last thing an athlete wants to feel around their teammates and coaches.
If we can change this one simple widely-held belief — that asking for help is a sign of weakness, instead of strength — we could significantly change the trajectory of mental health challenges for young athletes.
The game plan for this change in beliefs would be to help coaches add another tool to their coaching bag,
Using a tool I developed called “The Coach’s PIES Check-in,” coaches can better attune to the mental health of their athletes. By establishing safe, healthy relationships, coaches can begin to connect with players on a much emotionally deeper level.
“Whoa,” many coaches exclaim, “I never expected to have to be concerned with anything other than how physically and mentally prepared my athletes are.”
Well, this is now an expanded mental toughness coaching tool. And on a staff of coaches, you really need only one coach to perfect this skill.
The Coach’s PIES Check-in
Using “The Coach’s PIES Check-in,” a coach will show deeper levels of understanding and respect for what the athlete is thinking and feeling. For the young, developing — and perhaps trauma-impacted — brain, this will feel like a warm soothing shower.
By checking in with an athlete, it provides them with voice and power and an opportunity to express any stuffed or confusing emotions. This will help them feel safer and more connected. That’s really good for their developing brains and for building emotional resilience.
“The Coach’s PIES Check-in” is an easily customized tool for all coaches and athletes. This is how it works:
PIES is an acronym for Physical-Intellectual-Emotional-Social. When checking in with an athlete, coaches can use one or more of these areas to begin the conversation and create a safe space for athletes to share.
For example, a coach could ask an athlete:
“How’s that ankle feeling?” (Physical)
“Everything going ok is Mrs. Wilson’s class?” (Intellectual)
“Were you able to help your sister like you wanted?” (Emotional)
“The school dance is coming up — you planning to go?” (Social)
These are just examples and coaches can be very intentional and purposeful with asking relevant OPEN ENDED questions — nothing controversial or triggering.
The idea is to connect with the athlete on a safe and trusting level and give them an opportunity to express their thoughts and emotions.
This is where to begin when trying to reduce anxiety for young athletes — with the athletes and coaches themselves — and providing greater voice and agency for the athletes. Changing belief systems is more effective from a bottom up — rather than a top-down — approach.
The good news is that playing team sports already provides an advantage and golden opportunity for young athletes to develop healthy mental health and resilience. Recent research indicates that playing team sports can reduce anxiety and depression among athletes up to 25% — compared to their peers that don’t play team sports.
I’m grateful that the Villanova professors are drawing attention to this significant problem, which will hopefully increase the sense of urgency to do something about it. But advocating for a top-down approach for change is futile and unrealistic.
Consider the more effective bottom-up approach for change and let’s empower coaches and athletes to integrate healthy SportsBrain tools.
Change the brain — change the game!
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Marty Wolner is a certified trauma-informed sports coach and mentor (17 years), helping athletes and coaches integrate SportsBrain tools for healthier mental health outcomes.
