📝 Doc's Blog

Weekly insights from Dr. Thomas Clinton on sports psychology, mental training, and the pursuit of excellence on and off the field.

3 Mental Training Articles
2 Coaching Tips
1 Psychology Deep Dive
PSYCHOLOGY 6 min read

Project Gamma: Make Success a Choice

January 19, 2026

A working copy of the Project Gamma mission, FAQ, and the "Genius Protocol" daily mental reps checklist—built around Cognitive Binding, myelination, and entering flow on command.

Read More
🧠
MENTAL TRAINING 4 min read

Mental Reps Matter More Than You Think

January 4, 2026

Your brain doesn't know the difference between a vividly imagined action and a real one. This is the foundation of mental rehearsal—and it's backed by neuroscience.

Research shows that athletes who combine physical practice with mental visualization outperform those who only practice physically. Let me share what this means for your training...

Read More
💪
COACHING TIP 4 min read

Pressure is a Privilege

December 28, 2025

Tennis legend Billie Jean King said it best: "Pressure is a privilege." If you're feeling pressure, it means you're in a position worth being in.

Too many athletes see pressure as the enemy. But what if we reframed it as the ultimate opportunity to showcase what we've trained for? Here's how to shift your mindset...

Read More
🎯
PSYCHOLOGY 4 min read

Focus on Process, Not Outcomes

December 21, 2025

Outcomes are ultimately beyond your control. But your process? That's 100% in your hands. This simple shift in focus can transform your performance.

When you focus on executing your process with excellence, the outcomes tend to take care of themselves. Here's what process-oriented thinking looks like in practice...

Read More
🏀
COACHING TIP 5 min read

Master the Steph Curry Shot Routine

January 11, 2026

Progressive Relaxation Secret Sauce: Free-Throw Cheat Sheet for Coaches

The Reality: ~30–35% of tournament games swing on free-throw margin. Games aren't usually lost on highlight plays—they're lost quietly, at the line.

The Rule: Shooter has 10 seconds AFTER receiving the ball. No requirement to rush to the line. The walk is unregulated time—and most teams waste it.

Coaching Cue:

"Own the walk. Control the shot."

Why it Works: Walking calmly lowers shoulder/forearm tension, steadies breathing, and reduces muscular noise. Free throws require fine motor control—pressure locks mechanics up.

30-Second Process: Calm walk → slow exhale → drop shoulders → soft hands → one bounce → shoot. The shot begins before the ball is in the player's hands.

⭐ Steph Curry has been doing this secret trick for years!

Bottom line: Teams that own the walk steal close games in March.

Read More
✍️

More Insights Coming Weekly

Subscribe to get notified when new blog posts are published. Each week, I'll share actionable insights on mental training, performance psychology, and athlete development.

Back to Home