Mindgames, vol. 0: Introduction

Welcome to Mindgames, a multi-part series on how to practice mindfulness and practically apply it to improve your Rocket League play. There’s a lot of content elsewhere on how to master dribbling or hit perfect wall shots, but very little has been created to addresses the mental side of the game. This series is all about teaching the techniques of mindfulness to help you be your best while out on the pitch.

So what is Mindfulness?  

The practice of Mindfulness has been popular in technology companies (such as Google), but its teachings are widely applicable in a number of circumstances, including Rocket League.

Here’s a stuffy, old definition:

“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-
judgmentally.” - Jon Kabat-Zinn

I hate stuffy, old stuff so here’s me taking a crack at it:

• Mindfulness is about focusing on what is happening right now, and strategies for not allowing stresses from the past and/or future to impact your performance in the present.
• Mindfulness is about being aware of your emotional state, and strategies for channeling good energy, while dismissing bad energy.
• Mindfulness is about building good habits and strategies for achieving consistent high-quality performance.

Let me put it this way:

If your emotions are preventing you from playing at your best, and you’re interested in how to practice the mental side of Rocket League, this series is written for you. Every week, I’ll publish a short article teaching a methodology to train your mind and help you reach peak Rocket League performance.