Beginner vs Advanced Lifters in Kettlebell Sport: A Psychological Perspective
Back in April 2023, I wrote a section for a blog post by a Kettlebell Sport Coach, James Ross. I have added the extract below. The article talks about the differences between Beginner and Advanced lifters and I believe the section I added can be applied to many of you engaged in other sports and physical training.
If you would like to find out more about Kettlebell Sport and James Ross’ coaching, you can find his website here: https://gsscience.com/about/ or a link to the full article here: https://gsscience.com/kettlebell-sport-programming-beginner-vs-experienced/
Expert comments
Expert: Zach Hickmore
“Previously I have seen Zach make some very insightful comments about sport psychology pertaining to kettlebell sport so I thought it’d be interesting to get his thoughts on the Psychological aspects of success in kettlebell sport. Zach has a strong background in resistance training and kettlebell training with a MSc in Applied Sport Psychology.”- James Ross
Zach’s Comments:
1. Challenge vs Threat states. Elite athletes view adversity as a challenge, such as having to set a high score or having a lot of work to do on their technique. These are challenges. Failures are challenges to overcome, not signs to give up.
2. Elite athletes are obsessed with mastery. They enjoy the process of improvement and gaining competence at the skills and techniques required to be better at what they do.
3. Elite athletes have excellent control over their focus of attention. Whether it is a person in the crowd or their body freezing up, they won’t get distracted or won’t allow thoughts of giving up early enter their minds. They can keep a clear mind and make minor physiological adjustments without an emotional attachment to these. e.g. Saying “my shoulders are tiring, I need to be using my legs more” and simply make the adjustment rather than saying “oh shit, my shoulders are getting tired too early, how the hell am i going to get through the rest of this set… I’m too unfit for this”
4. In line with this last point, top level athletes know how to talk to themselves to motivate, instruct and manage arousal levels.
5. Elite athletes are in tune with their bodies and are willing to adapt effort, attitude and execution judging by how they feel and aren’t scared to go off plan if their bodies need it. e.g. if you’re feeling 7/10 today, make it a 7/7 day and not allow imperfection to lead to inaction and negativity.
I feel these are major aspects of the psychology of kettlebell sport that I have encountered. There are many many more points around sustaining a training program and building consistency, that basically all boil down to having a good reason WHY you are doing what you’re doing and whether this reason will stand the test of a 10min set, half or full marathon. For example, if your reason to aim for a 450 rep total in a half marathon half snatch is “because it would be cool”… will that reason still feel worth the cost when you’re 225 reps in, half way there and have to up your rpm by 3 to make it? Or will you just quit and write off the whole set? Or will you accept that you might fail and finish the set anyway? My guess is, you’ll need a damn good reason WHY to finish a tough set when you know you’re not going to hit your target half way in.