Day 3

During the last day at the prestigious IMG academy, our group went through a session of mental training and two sport practices, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. During the mental training session, the group was led by coach Clark Kent who discussed the what, how, and why of athletic motivation and taught us these definitions through a fun interactive activity. Basically, it involved each member of the group juggling a ping pong ball for a certain time. Each member's record would then be noted a few times in such a manner: first trial time, second time to beat our first record with a set goal, third time competing against each member of the group, and final time competing against others with a partner.

The engaging activity effectively demonstrated the different types of motivation and showed which ones prove to be most practical. By definition, intrinsic motivation comes from within us when we want to be better (to have better strokes, shots, kicks) than we were last time. External motivation comes from the outside when we desire to be better than someone else and want to beat them/beat their record. It turns out that both motivation sources are important, but it is key to rely on intrinsic motivation as external motivation tends to wane when the opponent is much better or way worse, causing your performance to alter.

  

Following the mental training session, the Huskies split up to their sports and followed pretty much a similar routine with some exceptions: soccer player, Garett B., played a full match with the IMG academy varsity team and performed very well while scoring a goal; Will R. had a chance to go through the IMG golf course; and tennis players, Hiro T. and Tim N. attended an instructional session with Nick Bollettieri, the renown tennis coach and founder of the original tennis academy (further acquired by IMG), and played each other for the rest of the practice.

Overall, all members of the group greatly enjoyed the short experience at one of the best sport academies in the world. The Huskies learned some important and applicable information about leadership, vision, and mental training, despite the fact that there is much more to learn! Everyone is sad to leave the warm coast of Florida, but at the same time excited for the well deserved spring break.
-Tim N.

Day 2 at IMG

On day 2, the Huskies at IMG Academy went through quality leadership training, a demanding lift in the enormous IMG gym, and later split up into their individual sports. During the leadership lesson, Coach Tim taught us the importance of communication within the team through an activity that required all members of the group, in a timed instance, to tap a sticker with a number in an ascending order while in limited space. The hardships of this exercise involved miscommunication and lack of leadership, but the guys dealt with the activity by completing the order in 11 seconds, which is good, but far from the 4.50 second record.

Sports Training Sessions
Tennis players Hiro T. and Tim N. worked on their backhands and played tie-breakers handicapped by the restriction of only one serve and a penalty for a missed return shot. This proved to be difficult and taught the guys to take care of first serves and return shots.

Football players Seamus T. and John-Kelly B. engaged in training based on specific positions that included running, agility training, and tackling drills.

Soccer player Garett B. trained with the IMG varsity team and worked on skill development, physical conditioning, and tactical strategy.

Golf player Will R. worked one-on-one with a coach who videotaped his swing and provided Will with a chance to observe his weaknesses and strengths and improve his skills through video observation. 

Baseball players Anthony T. and Mike W. took ground balls and worked on perfecting their throwing technique and batting a ball accurately and powerfully.

On the Basketball court, Willie S. also had a one-on-one instruction with an IMG coach. Together they worked on shooting, dribbling, and conditioning. 

Following practices, our guys fueled up on lunch that offered salmon, chicken noodle soup, and rice curry, and supplemented it with various drinks. After lunch, the huskies, had similar tough and rewarding practices involving more in-game immersion.

Mental Toughness: Day 1

Monday started off with a quick breakfast and then our vision testing. It was interesting to see the results of the vision tests and how they can be applied to each individual sport that our athletes are participating in. From the vision testing, we went to our physical conditioning session with Justin.

After doing a variety of drills and agility exercises, we were paired off and completed a circuit workout for the next hour with a variety of grueling stations. Lunch was next, and the guys welcomed the break. Knowing after lunch they were all finally going to play their selected sports, they were certainly excited. Everyone had a great time and worked hard in their afternoon sessions. With temperatures over 75 degrees and being outside participating in physical activity all day, everyone was spent and will have no problem sleeping tonight!

We even found former Husky and current
IMG Physical Trainer Jean Troiano.

Mike W. and Anthony T. warming up for
baseball practice.

Will R. at the driving range.

Huskies At IMG!

At 5 AM, on the 2nd of March, the project group "Mental Toughness" boarded our school bus to begin the exciting journey towards Bradenton, Florida and IMG Academy. Around 3 PM, our group arrived to the project site, one of the most renown sports academies in the world. 

All group members registered at the reception desk and received their unique ID cards, the 3-day program schedule, and and blue IMG Duffel Bags. After unpacking and settling, the group embarked on a self-directed tour. The facilities of the famous Academy proved to be truly outstanding with 50 tennis courts, 10 soccer fields, two football fields, two lacrosse fields, a cafeteria, a spa center, an enormous fitness centre, and a Gatorade Sports Science Institute.

Lima with Gaston, the next Rafael Nadal?