Scott Stokely Contradicts every Sports Expert on the Disc Golf Mental Game

[@AdamUpsDiscGolfJourney]

You know, I've been thinking about this for the last couple of weeks since this video. I didn't immediately resonate with the idea but I kept my mind open enough to try to consider if I was wrong or right. In the meantime I considered that possibly it wasn't my mental game making me miss so many putts low in tournaments that I might make in practice and maybe it in fact was my form and physical mechanics. So I worked on changing my putting form in order to have a much flatter release and I am seeing much better results and less nerves by just doing what Scott said here when he said, "this is all I can do - *then he did the putting motion*". In my own words, I think that considering that some of the mental game is mystified and possibly is dogma for lack of a better word I think I have possibly gotten over a roadblock in my putting and nerves. In my opinion, this is the beauty of listening to different perspectives and keeping an open mind to try to learn instead of always trying to be correct. @scottstokelyDG

[@doughorner5730]

Scott says the mental game isn't important but then goes on to explain how important it is to "let go", not stress or do anything different than you do in practice? That is the mental game imo. Also playing to your potential in high level, high stress situations IS clutch! Stokley may not like it but he is a legend, good stuff!

[@jimmyjam-vc6rf]

This is some sage wisdom that applies to a lot of aspects of life...

[@AdamUpsDiscGolfJourney]

Thank you for commenting that. My pinned comment is actually in reply to your comment. :)

[@Patty7349]

So much great information packed into this interview. Great piece to add to your collection. Thank you.

[@AdamUpsDiscGolfJourney]

Thanks Patty! He's a gracious person that is always glad to pass on his wisdom. To me that's an incredible quality.

[@robertkluttz8313]

I do agree with Scott to a degree. It is a generalization that is very true. When you consider everyone at a pro level in a pro sports of any type it is a generalization that is true. BUT, when you have someone that is a standout even among their pro peers, it usually comes down to one of two things... either superior mental game or steroids.

[@stephendorey4930]

This really rings true for me. There are no “secrets”, lots of practice and natural talent.

[@AdamUpsDiscGolfJourney]

What I took most from Scott's point of view is to "just do this", the act of putting, and if I practice it enough that'll take over.

[@jimmyjam-vc6rf]

​@@AdamUpsDiscGolfJourney I like this viewpoint because as a somewhat new player, the more I practice, the less I think of mechanics, and the more natural my shots will be. If I fail it is something OUTSIDE of myself that was not taken into consideration (wind, up a hill, picking a difficult shot over one that has more chance of success, etc)

[@ryansuter4424]

If a person with the physical make up to do well in basketball or disc golf does not have the mental capacity to focus enough to execute a physical movement to accomplish the goal then that shows that their is a “mental game”. There are some basketball players who can make more free throws when it is quiet and less when fans are screaming ! And sometimes it’s the opposite. The fact that the player has different outcomes based on the amount of noise shows that there is more than just physical ability in completing a physical movement and or goal.

[@ryansuter4424]

You do have control over a specific shot!! If a putt hits the center line of the cage and was 2 inches below the cage it’s more likely to bounce off the cage. If the player kept every thing else the same but angled the disk to go 3 inches higher than the disk is more likely to hit off the chains and land in the basket.

[@danalawton2986]

In my estimation... practicing by yourself while foregoing other things you'd rather be doing, that builds the mental / focus game as well as skill. Why? When you do finally play a tournament after a lot of practice and sacrifice... you will have more focus and confidence because you know you put in the time. Also... keep things to yourself... don't tell anyone that you're practicing or talk about how good you want to play. Let it out at the tournament through your play.

[@ryansuter4424]

If players chokes because of anxiety, distraction, breathing heavy, etc shows their is a mental game!

[@ryansuter4424]

Why is it that during a test that I answered the question wrong but after the test I answered the question right without any further studying . The answer just cdd as me to me after the test.

[@ryansuter4424]

The question is why does the 80 percent free throw shooter miss 20 percent? That player has shown that he/she has the capability ti hit the free throw 80 percent of the time. Let’s say a player is 1 minute into the game and they get to shoot free throws. They make the first one but miss the second one. If you had to choose was it because they lacked the physical capacity to make the second free throw or was it because the ball was released in a way that did not have the ball go throw the net without hitting anything else? The player just showed with the first free throw shot they have the physical capability and capacity to make a free throw so if it was not physical what is the reason for missing it?

[@ryansuter4424]

Scott said there are players that choke. Why did they choke? Was it because of a mental mistake?

[@eviljinius337]

if people can choke, they can be clutch.

[@ryansuter4424]

If you’re trying to make a putt and you missed it means you did not accomplish the goal you wanted!

[@curtisridenour]

Ask Ken Climo and Barry Schultz if mental game is important. I think you would get a shorter and more helpful answer.

[@michaelrobbins8728]

respectfully, I don't think Stokely understands "mental game". Athleticism isn't just a measurable of raw speed, strength, arm speed, etc.... What really seperate's athletes has entirely to do with mental game. What happens in the brain is the separator

[@ryansuter4424]

I only made it through 12:11 minutes of the video.

[@ChrisSuswal-de9tj]

He's absolutely wrong about the basketball stats lol. I guarantee prime Jordan shot a better free throw percentage in the 4th quarter of his NBA finals games versus his career average

[@WakeNBakeDK]

Id like to hear from Ricky, Paul, Climo about how they deal with mental decisions. Instead you have a guy telling people not to practice how they want to play.

[@Matthew-q4d]

Wake N Bake

[@Christopher-Lenz]

Stokely is a nice dude but he has the worst logic and judgment. I can list off a dozen things hes said ovet the years that hes wrong about.

[@jaimeperry7326]

If he has the worst logic and judgment ... why would you even watch the video. That makes no sense. I can't imagine wasting my time watching video interviews with people that I don't respect their logic and judgment. I think your logic might be flawed.

[@Christopher-Lenz]

@jaimeperry7326 That's why you're ignorant and likely a lousy athlete. I consider all perspectives.

[@WakeNBakeDK]

Ask him next time what left side brain dominant and right side brain dominant means to him

[@Matthew-q4d]

Vs.

[@derpderpin1568]

Ask yourself if the comment you're about to spam is worthless or not next time. It has been every time so far.

[@WakeNBakeDK]

For any up and coming player that unfortunately listens to this, I'd like to say visualization can go a long way in life in general. I could see in the tour of Trash Pandas factory visit, Scott was trying to downplay how hard it is for Jessie to make consistent discs with fully recycled plastic. Scott was jealous of the success and tried to promote his own company, acknowledging how the easier route is how he rolls. He was worried about the air compressor making to much noise when the fact is his videos have the quality you would expect from someone who only cares about profit and someone who changes ventures constantly. I hope he dont go back to third world countries who are at a disadvantage and sell them this kind of bullsh!|.

[@Matthew-q4d]

Stokely

[@backyardstrummer3856]

Scott quotes statistics and presents his thesis.... you counter with some gossipy personal attack in trashy language and talk about some kind of metaphysical new age woo about visualization. Sports psychology is mostly a joke pushed by conmen. Look up the "crisis in psychology" here on KZbin if you don't believe it. I can only speak from my own experience because I just play for fun, not for profit or sports psychology science but for what it's worth, what scott says checks out. The best I ever played competitively was when I played like I practiced. The practice routine and ritual should be exactly the same as your actual competitive play. Adding extra steps (mental or physical) will lower your stats. Have fun, practice with discipline so you can enjoy yourself (because your routine is muscle memory).

[@WakeNBakeDK]

All nonsense

[@jockofthebush]

Your comments are nonsense. It seems to me like you actually need to demystify your understanding of mental game to really get what Scott is saying.

[@derpderpin1568]

You're worthless.

[@ryansuter4424]

You do have control over a specific shot!! If a putt hits the center line of the cage and was 2 inches below the cage it’s more likely to bounce off the cage. If the player kept every thing else the same but angled the disk to go 3 inches higher than the disk is more likely to hit off the chains and land in the basket.

[@ryansuter4424]

Why is it that during a test that I answered the question wrong but after the test I answered the question right without any further studying . The answer just cdd as me to me after the test.