How Can I Get Better Today?
The answer – Bring The Juice.
There is a direct correlation between intensity level (energy/juice) and performance. Every situation calls for a different intensity level and knowing how to turn up and turn down that level is critical to high performance. If you bring no JUICE to a drill/activity you can not be your best. If you bring too much JUICE to a presentation in English class you may stumble all over yourself and forget half of what you came in to say. Knowing how and when to bring the JUICE is a prerequisite for success!
Intensity management is a skill and you know any skill is a learned behavior. If we are not great at it today,
we can start becoming great at it tomorrow. It is totally a choice. What you focus on, you improve. The
greatest athletes in the world understand how and when their bodies perform at their best and controlling their energy is vital.
We attempt to teach our guys how to put a number on the energy level they need to perform their best. If 1 is absolutely no juice (just getting out of bed) and 10 is just winning the Super Bowl, what number do you need to be at to perform your best. A QB may need to play at a 6-7 range to be able to keep their
composure and make great decisions. A D Lineman may perform at a 9-10 level to be their best at gettingafter the QB. The position or job can always call for a different energy level to be at your best. Within a game it may change as well. If I am a basketball player, I may want to play defense at a 10 (ton of energy) and offense at 6 (under control and patient). It’s a decision and we must understand JUICE to be our best.
Ways to TURN DOWN
1) Tactical Breathing – google it, tons of different methods – all great. Probably one of the most
neglected skills in the world. What would we be without breath? DMGB
2) Self-Talk – Talk to yourself more than you listen to yourself.
3) Visual Clues – Find a focal point to focus on when your energy level is getting out of whack. Find a
particular part of a gym or stadium. Focus on that, breath, have positive self talk.
Ways to TURN UP
1) Power Breathing – as above, under coached. Quick, short, powerful breaths are repeated quickly to
increase blood flow and get you juiced.
2) Self-Talk – turn it up! Be loud and be positive.
3) Physical Movement – Physical activity changes your state of mind. Positive body language and
power poses work.
4) Music – kick some Rocky (young people have no clue) on I bet your energy state changes. LOL
John Perry
Resource: Winning The Mental Game by Dr. Amber Selking