Dr Cohn's Racing Psychology Blog

Motocross Racing and Injury: Overcoming the Fear of Re-injury

Motocross and auto racing mental training expert, Dr. Patrick Cohn, at racingpsychology.com helps NASCAR, Motocross, and motorcycle racers improve performance and lap times by boosting mental preparation, focus, and confidence on race day. Learn motocross and auto racing coaching techniques and strategies.

In today’s mental training session for racers, I help a racer overcome his fear of re-injury.  I answer the following mental game of racing question:

“My biggest challenge is the fear I developed after breaking my back in 7 places while practicing. I feel too afraid to jump because I am scared of hurting my back again. I have a partially herniated disc due to my big crash and several of my discs are ruined. How can I conquer this fear and continue to progress with my riding?” 

Overcoming an injury is just as much mental as it is physical. Many racers worry about re-injury on the track.  Worrying about re-injury is a legitimate fear.  Some racers may try to avoid mistakes to protect themselves from injury. In that case, racers think too much about mistakes, which may cause them to tighten up. The key is to think about execution, or what you need to do to race successfully. Learn how to improve your performance with mental skills training.

Listen to this podcast on “fear of re-injury” to learn racing psychology tips to prepare mentally for a race!

Use the player below to play the podcast or use the “download” link to save to your computer:

 
icon for podpress  RacePsych Podcast 20 [4:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Helping Young Racers Improve Racing Confidence and Focus

Racing psychology expert, Dr. Patrick Cohn, at racingpsychology.com helps NASCAR, Motocross, and motorcycle racers improve performance and lap times by boosting focus and confidence on race day. Learn mental game of racing tips and strategies.

In today’s psychology of racing session, I answer a question about how to develop young athletes racing confidence. I answer the following mental game of racing question:

“My son worries too much about what others think about him and how he rides. I would like to see him have fun again with his riding. What strategies can he use to become a better rider, not worry about others, and have more self-confidence?”

Some sports parents may not realize that their expectations may put pressure on their young athletes. Young athletes may feel they have to race well to please a parent. To develop racing confidence, racers need to focus on their own race plan and not their competitors.  Improve your training before race day by supporting your own racing confidence.

Listen the podcast on “racing confidence” to learn more about how to prepare yourself for race!

Use the player below to play the podcast or use the “download” link to save to your computer:

 
icon for podpress  RacePsych Podcast 19 [4:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Improve Your Racing Confidence and Mindset in Races

Mental training expert for motocross and auto racers, Dr. Patrick Cohn, at racingpsychology.com helps NASCAR, Motocross, and motorcycle racers improve performance and lap times by boosting focus, confidence and mental preparation on race day. Learn motocross and auto racing mental training tips and strategies.

In today’s psychology of racing session, I offer mental racing tips to help beginner racers get into the right frame of mind before races. I answer the following mental training game of racing question:

 ”For beginner racers, what is the mindset that they should enter the race with? What daily mental exercises should they do to prepare for racing?”

Preparing for first motocross or auto race is important for any racer, both mentally and physically. Many racers may not know what kind of mindset to be in before a big race. The key is for racers to perform the same in practice and in races.  Before a race, throw out any expectations and maintain a stable level of racing confidence. Focus on the process and avoid thinking about the results. Have a race plan and review your strategy before races.   

Listen the podcast on mindset to learn what steps every racer should take to prepare mentally for a big race!

Use the player below to play the podcast or use the “download” link to save to your computer:

 
icon for podpress  RacePsych Podcast 18 [4:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Motocross Psychology: How to Refocus After Mistakes

Motocross coach and psychology of racing expert, Dr. Patrick Cohn, at racingpsychology.com helps NASCAR, Motocross, and motorcycle racers improve performance and lap times by boosting  focus,  racing confidence and composure on race day. Learn motocross mental training and auto racing driver mental training tips and strategies.

In today’s racing psychology session, I help a racer refocus after mistakes. I answer the following mental game of racing question:

 ”I lose my focus after making mistakes and it leads to making even more mistakes. How do I keep my focus after mistakes? 

Learn the mental game strategies to improve your racing focus. Racers need to understand when they lose focus. Many racers become frustrated after mistakes and this causes them to lose focus. Give yourself the luxury of making a few mistakes. Then refocus quickly on the next turn or jump.

Listen the podcast on to learn how to focus your mind for a big race!  

Use the player below to play the podcast or use the “download” link to save to your computer:

 
icon for podpress  RacePsych Podcast 17 [4:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Do You Focus on Your Competitors Speed?

Mental game of racing expert, Dr. Patrick Cohn, at racingpsychology.com helps NASCAR, Motocross, and motorcycle racers improve performance and lap times by boosting mental toughness, focus, and confidence on race day. Learn racing psychology tips and strategies.

In today’s psychology of racing session, I help a racer who settles in behind another racer. I answer the following mental game of racing question:

 ”When I’m chasing my competitor, I start to get caught into his pace instead of keep my pace. How can I make sure I keep my own pace and not settle in behind another racer?” 

Learn the top mental game of racing strategies to race aggressively when passing another racer. Many racers perform within their comfort zone during races. Comfort zones are high expectations about how racers think they should perform. Racers should develop a racing plan to determine their strategy for the track. Be patient and wait for the right time to pass another racer.  Learn how to focus the mind on race day.   

Listen to this podcast on to learn how to race aggressively and stay mentally tough during a race!

Use the player below to play the podcast or use the “download” link to save to your computer:

 
icon for podpress  RacePsych Podcast 16 [3:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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How to Cope with Prerace Jitters and Tension for MX Racers

Motocross and auto racing psychology expert, Dr. Patrick Cohn, at racingpsychology.com helps NASCAR, Motocross, and motorcycle racers improve performance and lap times by boosting composure, focus, and racing confidence on race day. Learn mental racing strategies and tips for motocross and auto racing.

In today’s psychology of racing session, I help a racer cope with prerace jitters before a race.  I answer the following mental game of racing question:

 ”How do I not get tight in a race? I am always faster than other racers in practice and before the race, but prerace jitters make me feel weak. Then, I usually make more errors…”

Learn the top mental game of racing secrets to feel prepared for your next race. Many racers  experience prerace jitters before performing. Prerace jitters can be negative if those jitters cause tension and performance anxiety. Racers who experience negative prerace jitters may worry too much about the outcome of the race. Jitters can be positive and can help prepare racers for the upcoming event. 

Listen to this podcast on prerace jitters to learn more about how to mentally prepare for a race!

Use the player below to play the podcast or use the “download” link to save to your computer:

 
icon for podpress  RacePsych Podcast 15 [4:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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