Sports and Performance Psychology

The Midshipmen Development Center provides mental skills training to midshipmen who are trying to achieve their optimal performance in athletics and the military. Mental Skills can be used in many areas of your life from performance on the PRT to test taking to athletic competitions. What predicts high achievement in people with talent is the integrated use of a set of mental and behavioral skills that can be learned. Our goal is to promote learning and personal development that is consistent with the USNA’s mission to develop midshipmen as warfighters “morally, mentally and physically”.

Services

The MDC provides individual mental skills training and counseling for performance to Midshipmen. As well, we provide consultation with coaching, medical, athletic training, and administrative staff. Mental skills training and team-building are also available to teams and military groups. Please find more information on some of the topics below: 

Goal Setting
Effective goal setting helps performers stay focused, motivated, and on track. By setting clear, challenging, and attainable goals, individuals can measure progress and boost performance through structured planning and commitment. It's not about just having an outcome goal, but having process goals to work towards daily. 

Energy Management
Managing physical and emotional energy is key to peak performance. Techniques like breathing exercises, and mindfulness helps performers maintain the optimal energy level for training and competition. You can learn how to manage your energy through training. 

Mental Rehearsal
Also known as visualization, mental rehearsal involves imagining performances in vivid detail using all of your senses. This technique allows you to practice both physical and mental skill, creating a blueprint for when you need to perform under pressure. It enhances confidence, refines skills, and prepares the mind for real-game scenarios.

Self-Talk
Self-talk is the internal dialogue that can influence confidence, focus, and resilience. You may not be able to control your automatic reaction to a situation, but you can control your response, and self talk helps. Effective, and constructive self-talk can improve motivation, help overcome setbacks, and promote performance under pressure.