Psychology of Champions

The first book to gather firsthand accounts of successful practices, and thinking habits, of sports legends and super-athletes--from across sports including football, baseball, basketball, boxing, golf, car racing, and swimming--this work holds lessons that can power not only athletic success, but winning in any daily challenges of life or work. The result of years of research, Psychology of Champions offers the very personal words of star athletes who explain how they overcame such obstacles as fear, discouragement, and anxiety, and were able to move on to success. Each story--including those of baseball great Ted Williams, basketball star Michael Jordan, football's famed Deion Sanders, and dozens more from across sports --is unique, Yet, the authors determine that, when all is said and done, the overriding variables accounting for the greatest success fall into three categories: motivation, confidence, and concentration. Barrell and Ryback spell out the "rules" for such success after each section in this absorbing book. The result is a book that not only entertains and educates us with firsthand accounts of ever-popular sports heroes, but also instructs athletes, amateur or professional, and arguably anyone with a goal to achieve in work or life. In-the-moment accounts reveal just what to do in various critical periods of sports competition--from being at bat in baseball, to making an instantaneous decision as a quarterback, firing the winning basket in the dying moments of a game, or launching the winning move in boxing or judo. Barrell and Ryback draw the lessons together in what they term "The Focus Edge" mindset. That mindset--and this book-- says one former Olympian, takegreatness and make it accessible to you and me.

"This exciting book will have great value for sports fans, and for anyone interested in becoming a winner in his or her chosen profession, and in life itself. Because I have followed college and professional sports closely for several decades, I have wondered--many times--how and why superstars separate themselves from the pack. This book provides vital, easy-to-emulate answers. Fortunately, the book draws its findings from primary sources--superlative athletes in a cross-section of sports. Also, the authors avoid clinical psychological jargon. The writing style is clear, yet compelling. My prediction: Those who read this book and apply its findings will benefit from Psychology of Champions, whatever their activity might be."-Bill Lampton, Ph.D., Author of The Complete Communicator

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