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:

 

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

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:

 

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

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

In today’s mental training session for BMX racers, I discuss how to use mental imagery before races. I answer the following BMX racing psychology question:

“Although I have seen improvement in my skill level over the past year and half since I started racing BMX, I have always had trouble with picturing my race before I race it. I can’t get the mental motion picture if you will, rolling in my mind the way I would like. How can I get a more detailed view of myself and the track that I am racing?”

Learn the top mental training techniques for auto and motocross racers. Not every racer is a visual learner. Racers have different learning styles, seeing, feeling or hearing. The most common type of imagery is seeing, or visualizing. You may be a kinesthetic learner, or learn by feeling yourself on the racetrack. To mentally prepare for a race, you should do “mental laps” or see, feel or hear yourself go around the racetrack.

Most racers are a combination of visual and kinesthetic learners. The best way to use mental imagery is to find out which learning style works best for you. You should see or feel yourself just as you are performing, in real time. 

Listen to this podcast on “mental imagery” to learn mental game tips to prepare yourself for race!

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

 

 RacePsych Podcast 13 [4:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Racing psychology 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 the psychology of motorsport success and mental training for motocross and auto racers.

In today’s racing psychology session, I help a racer who is worried about underperforming. I answer the following mental game of racing question:

“I am just about to race in a championship. I am afraid that I might underperform considering I am new to racing. I want to make a mark! Please advise me on what kind of mind set should I have before I go into the first race?”

Many racers are concerned about not performing up to their potential on race day. Being new to racing, you want respect and to show others what you can do. But, you should avoid focusing on what others think of you. A functional mindset is helpful to getting psyched up before a race. Your mindset should focus on how you can perform to your potential.  To prepare mentally for the big race, you should focus on the process, or the small things that you need to do to race your best.

Listen to this podcast on “how to mentally prepare for a championship race” learn how to improve your motocross and auto racing training techniques!

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

 

 RacePsych Podcast 10 [4:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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 race psychology tips and strategies.

In today’s mental training session, I discuss the racing psychology tips to stay focused after other racers’ put-downs.  I answer the following mental training for racing question:

“How do I block out “put-downs” or things other people say like “I’m going to beat you, you stink, or you can’t win” or anything else to make me lose concentration?”

Other racers use trash talk to get you off your game and reduce your racing confidence. These put downs can become a distraction if you let them. Racers who become distracted by trash talk can also doubt their ability on the racetrack. Doubt is the opposite of confidence and is not helpful to your racing. The solution is to develop strong mental confidence in your racing ability so that those put-downs do not affect you.  Having racing confidence is more important than what others think.

Listen the podcast on “Racers trash talk” to learn more about psychology of motorsport success!

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 RacePsych Podcast 9 [4:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Race psychology 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 riding and auto racing mental training secrets to improve racing performance.

In today’s racing psychology session, I talk about how to overcome indecision on the line. I answer the following mental game of racing question:

“Why do I keep changing my bike setup, even though I know the current one is working for me? It is very annoying for both me and those around me, but I can´t help myself”

 Changing your bike setup could result from performance anxiety about the race. But, the likely reason is that you are second-guessing yourself. Uncertainty or indecision is not helpful to your racing. The key is to be more committed and decisive at the start of the race with your bike setup and continue that decisiveness throughout the race. Talk to your team members to determine the best bike setup option. Develop a racing strategy prior to the race to lower indecision.

Listen to this podcast on “How to overcome indecision” to learn more racing strategies to mentally prepare yourself for a big race!

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

 

 RacePsych Podcast 8 [3:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download