Performance Blog

by Garret Kramer
Not long ago, I gave a seminar to a group of football players, coaches, and parents. After the talk, one of the coaches approached me and asked: “How can you speak for over an hour straight with no notes?” This question, and my answer, pretty much sums up our methodology here at Inner [...]

In light of the words—about the New England Patriots—spoken by New York Jets head coach, Rex Ryan and some of his players, and the media discussions about the impact they will have on this weekend’s AFC playoff game—here is an exerpt from chapter seven of my upcoming book.

by Garret Kramer
Recently, New Jersey Devils Coach Jacques Lemaire became the team’s head coach for the third time. He returned, for this season only, apparently to rescue a slumping team. Last week, he made the following statement about his players: “It’s funny. They know I’m not here for a long time, and they respond better [...]

by Garret Kramer

Coaches who fail to tap into their player’s level of consciousness run the risk of unintentionally contributing to, among other things, a severe decrease in performance—especially if the player also fails to recognize or understand this important principle. This notion brings us back to the concept of team rules. As mentioned in chapter [...]

by Garret Kramer
As a result of the recent heart attack suffered by Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio, the coaching profession has once again come under scrutiny.  The long hours, the pressures to perform, and the criticism of the press or public have repeatedly been cited as reasons why qualified candidates might think twice [...]

by Garret Kramer
I have to admit, I am having angry thoughts about the common misconception that great athletes often “play angry.”  This morning I heard Lebron James compare his “mean streak” to Michael Jordan’s.  He insisted that Jordan used anger for motivation.  He said, “The angrier Jordan got, the better he played.” James then claimed [...]

by Garret Kramer
This past weekend I gave a talk to a group of high school athletes and their parents.  The evening was productive and enjoyable, but at the very end, an ex-football coach decided to grill me on the topic of “focus.”  He insisted that focus was a vital attribute for success on the field, and he [...]

by Garret Kramer
I am about to make a statement that may greatly surprise you: The best leaders never attempt to motivate their team, players, students, employees, or children.
I know, every day we hear differently.  Just this morning, I watched as an ESPN sportscaster raved about what an outstanding leader Seattle Seahawk head coach Pete Carroll [...]

by Garret Kramer
The recent drunk driving incident (and others) in the NFL has really got me thinking about the policies set in place by professional leagues and teams to counteract the wayward behavior of athletes.  The NFL, for example, has a policy called “Player Protect“—a 24-hour car and/or security service for players to turn to, if [...]