Hot News
May 2009
Psychology in Football Workshop with the KENT F.A.
Coaches think outside the box
The Kent County FA’s most progressive clubs and coaches were invited to a Kent Coach Association in-service event at The Abbey School, Faversham on 13 May 2009.
Club coaches and Kent Coach Association members attended the Psychology in Football workshop hosted by Jon Ford of FordSports Psychology, who are leading the way in this area of development. Jon Ford, a qualified Sport Scientist, Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist provided attendees with techniques which help coaches get their team in their optimum performance state otherwise known as the zone.
Forty-one coaches were present at the workshop which covered areas of pre-match routine as well as dealing with stoppages and focussing on the positive elements of performances.
Brian Cornish of Faversham Strike Force FC praised the evening by saying ‘Its great to add a new dimension to the way we coach and Jon provided some great tips and examples which can be implemented at grassroots level’.
The workshop also demonstrated practical exercises using hypnosis and visualisation which increases confidence, decreases anxiety and speeds up the learning process by using positive thoughts.
Workshop tutor, Jon Ford said ‘People are still cautious of sport psychology and involving it within their training schedule but the coaches showed a real enthusiasm to learn more about this complex subject which can only benefit their own players and teams’.
The In-service training events are one of many benefits that the County FA offers to new and existing Charter Standard Clubs with clubs receiving Umbro kit/equipment vouchers, an FA Charter Standard plaque, the use of The FA Crest/logo and continued coaching support.
Kent County FA Football Development Officer, Lee Suter went on to say “Club development is fundamental to the growth of grassroots football and it is great to see so many volunteers looking to add to their coaching knowledge and expertise”.
May 2009
'Optimise your performance seminar' at Whitstable G.C.
Now this place was a real struggle to find, if you’ve never played or heard of this place I advise you take a trip, even if it’s just for drink! We had a real variety of ages and standard of players here but they were all as keen to learn new skills. What I love so much about teaching sport psychology to golfers is that it works the same whether you are young, old a pro or a beginner. Any player taking on the principles that FordSports Psychology prescribe can quickly improve their game. If you have stories of how its helped you please email Jon
May 2009
'Optimise your performance seminar' at Etchinghill G.C
It was good to see so many Juniors at Etchinghill. It is so important to get into good habits from a young age as this really sets you up for later life. Tiger started with a sport psychologist from the age of 12 and he's not doing too bad!! FordSports Psychology will be releasing a book covering sport psychology practice drills specifically designed for juniors. More news on this to come.
April 2009
'Swing routine seminar' at Tudor Park Golf club
One of the first things we look at when we meet a golfer is his routine. Its so important that every golfer has a routine that works for them and that they stick to on every shot. At Tudor we worked with several players on the range and on the puting green going through the different components that are required within a good routine. FordSports Psychology will be releasing a book shortly covering Routines, for more detail please email Jon or call 07740 541129
February 2009
'Optimise your performance seminar' at Bearsted G.C
It was nice to come back to do a second mind coaching workshop at Bearsted golf club, in Maidstone. In this workshop we gave similar sport psychology advice on how to get yourself in the zone, but also gave instructions on how to do 'active visualisation'. One young golfer volunteered to come and up to the front to demonstrate and it was easy to see the positive effect it had on his putting stroke.
With active visualisation the player actual goes through the task physically with their eyes shut rather than the traditional sitting down approach. The difference between his stroke from before and after was huge, one member of the front row of the audience said 'it was unbelievable to see the difference in his stroke, before the demonstration he pulled his putter back inside the line, but then after he was swinging the putter straight up and down the line'
This technique really shows how this active visualisation can help improve technique aswell as confidence. For more info on this please email Jon or call 07740 541129.
5th February 2009
'Optimise your performance seminar' at Broke hill G.C
It was good to meet so many passionate golfers at Broke Hill 
G.C last week. With all the snow it was a great effort to see so many people turn up for a really enjoyable evening.
The aim of the evening was to give the participants techniques which will help them get into the ZONE quickly and easily. This involved discussing the role of positive thinking and the new theory of 'neutral thinking' along with how different ways of practice can effect how you feel on the course. The initial response from the evening was very positive, lets hope the weather improves soon so they can put what was learnt into practice.
The next Optimising performance seminar will be taking place at Bearsted Golf on the 26th February at 7pm, for tickets please call 07740 541129 or email jon@fordsportspsychology.co.uk.
1st December 2008 - JON BECOMES CERTIFIED MIND FACTOR COACH
Jon has just returned from a 4 day intense course with Dr Karl Morris, the world renowned Mind Coach. Jon found the experience invaluable as he has learnt new psychological tips and techniques for helping improve athletes performance both quickly and easily.
Dr Karl Morris has worked with the worlds elite golfers such as Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood aswell as Hull City F.C. and international cricket stars such as Steve Harmison and Michael Vaughan. This extra knowledge gives Jon a wider range of techniques to use which can only benefit his current and potential clients.
15th October 2008 - Premiership football player Matthew Upson uses Sport psychologist
It was good to read this week how a top premiership footballer is taking full advantage of sport psychology. It was also refreshing to hear him being so open about it to the public. It's uncommon for athletes in physical sports such as football to admit openly to using a sport psychologist, but this seems to be changing in recent years. Only a few weeks ago it came out in the press how Arsenal employ a sports psychologist, as one of the players left meeting notes in a hotel room. Hopefully this openess with regard to the use of psychology within sport will continue and will make more athletes realise its true potential for improving performance.
"In the past when I've joined up with the squad, maybe I didn't believe I deserved to be here and that only ends up with a poor performance," said Upson. "Now I believe I am capable of stepping in and doing a good job.
"I first became interest in psychology at City when I was relatively stagnant in my career, doing things the same as I'd always done. I realized that if I wanted to move on, I'd have to sacrifice a bit more to my job and commit in certain areas. I began working with [the sports psychologist] Mike Griffiths and he's been a real help. On Saturday I made a mistake, but you move on, keep your body language good and, the next time you get the ball, you have to be very positive or do something very simple. All these things help with being able to perform at the elite level."
The Times, 2008
October 10th 2008 - WELLING UNITED F.C.
Jon has started working with Welling United F.C, the Blue Square Conference South side. He aims to work with the team throughout the 2008/09 season and help them reach their aim of getting in the play-off's. He has already worked with the squad using sport psychology techniques such as hypnosis/mental rehearsal to help boost confidence for their up and coming games this month.
6th May 2008 - OPTIMISING GOLF PERFORMANCE
Jon recently presented to an enthusiastic group of golfers at the well established Chart Hills golf club. Several of the group were already very knowledgable on the topic of golf psychology, but everyone found the evening a positive learning experience. The new knowledge has already helped some of the group improve their golf performance and several of them are now seeing Jon on a one to one basis.
'Since attending the Sports Psychology session with Jon, I have found I am a more focused player and I have a more positive attitude towards my game. This session has also given me a different insight to my game' Club Golfer - 7 handicap
19th March 2008 - OPTIMISING GOLF PERFORMANCE - ASHFORD G.C
Jon has had a great response from his 'Optimising golf performance' seminar at Ashford golf club on the 18th March, where he presented to over 30 members. The session covered factors which influence golf performance, but focused on the psychological side of the game. He gave hints on how to stay relaxed on the course and keep the mind in present which are two of the fundamental psychological aspects of the game. He finished the session with some group hypnosis, which allowed all the audience to go back in time to their best ever shot....... some had to go back a long way!!
13th February 2008 - OPTIMISING GOLF PERFORMANCE - BEARSTED G.C
The A and B Team turned out in force in preperation for the up and coming season. Jon gave hints on how to prepare well for golf, he gave info on how to stay in the moment and why we should not beat our selves up on the course as it knocks confidence. One member of the audience has significantly improved his golf performance and has said he owes it to Jon's presentation;