The New England Mutiny's support staff.

So the New England Mutiny have a wide array of support staff for their women's soccer team. I sort of laughed when I read what they have.

They have a team acupuncturist. Huh? I don't know how exactly the helps athletic performance but the team has an official acupuncturist. I'd pass on that...but that's just me.

What I am intrigued about is a Mental Conditioning Coach. I've never heard about that before, but I like the idea of having one. So much time is spent on the muscles that throw, run, kick etc. I think the most important one is the one that controls all of those motions...and emotions and thoughts. There should be almost no thinking when it comes to in-game situations. Most things should be done on instinct and reactions. There is no time for decision making when a ball is in front of you and nothing is between you and the goal. It's a reaction...an instinct. You kick it and you score.

Confidence is also a major issue that I think some athletes struggle with. Many athletes don't lack confidence at all. They exude it everywhere, on and off the field. Others don't exude confidence or don't have enough of it. They become too passive, don't take advantage of opportunities because they are afraid to make a mistake. Great teams aren't afraid to make mistakes for two reasons. First of all they don't think they will make a mistake, second of all if they did, either they or someone else on the team would make up for it. Some athletes also need to be re-assured that they are good. Some people are tough, some are really nice, some are serious, some are loose and everyone is different. Some people need confidence given to them in order to do well, others need to be challenged and yelled at. Everyone is different and having a coach that can get everyone's mind in the right place to succeed is very important. I would say there isn't enough mental conditioning in sports.

Kristine Lilly, the great soccer player, would listen to tapes before games that would re-assure her. They would give her confidence. They would tell her she was good, that she could make a difference.

The 1999 U.S. Women's soccer World Cup Champion team would show highlight videos to players of all the amazing things that they did do to give them confidence.

Even Mia Hamm, the greatest women's soccer player ever, struggled with her confidence a lot. She was afraid to take a penalty kick in the 1999 Women's World Cup. She tried to give up her penalty kick to another player...Keep in mind she has more goals in International Play than any other soccer player, male or female, in the history of soccer. If Mia Hamm struggled with confidence, chances are a lot of other athletes have too.

I think a Mental Conditioning coach is a great coach to have. The Mutiny are lucky to have one and I hope they utilize their coach a lot.

They also have a massage therapist. I'd utilize that coach everyday. As a matter of fact every second I'm not on my feet.