Workshop: Advanced Mental Game Session (3-4 Hours)

Overview

This workshop is an advanced 3-4 hour theoretical session for 6-8 elite players, focusing on deep psychological work and vulnerability-based learning. It goes beyond basic mental skills to explore the inner game at a profound level.

Two Sections in This Guide

• For Participants - What players will experience and learn
• For Facilitators - How to conduct the workshop as a Mental Performance Coordinator

Difference from Beginner Session:

• Beginner (2-3h): Introduction to mental game concepts → See Mental Journey Guide
• Advanced (3-4h): Deep psychological work with vulnerability exercises (this page)

Quick Access

Section	Purpose	Access
For Participants	What to expect and how to prepare	View Section
For Facilitators	Complete session guide and exercises	View Section
Session Materials	Exercises and worksheets	View Materials
Related Guides	Other training formats	Mental Journey • Training Camp

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For Participants

What to Expect

This is not a typical training session. You'll engage in deep discussions about the mental and emotional aspects of pétanque that rarely get talked about openly.

This Workshop Is:

• ✅ A safe space to explore inner thoughts and fears
• ✅ Vulnerability-based learning with teammates
• ✅ Connecting mental patterns to performance
• ✅ Building team psychological intelligence

This Workshop Is NOT:

• ❌ Technical coaching or tactics training
• ❌ Therapy or counseling
• ❌ Positive thinking or motivation speeches
• ❌ Judgment or criticism

Session Structure

Total Duration: 3-4 hours Group Size: 6-8 players Format: Circle discussion with structured exercises

What You'll Learn

Phase 1: Foundation (60 min)

• Ground rules for psychological safety
• The "Check-In Matrix" - acknowledging your current state
• The "Iceberg of Pétanque" - exploring hidden thoughts

Phase 2: Deep Work (90 min)

• Creating your "User Manual" for teammates
• Connecting mental patterns to performance
• "Fear in a Hat" - breaking isolation through shared vulnerability

Phase 3: Integration (45 min)

• Reframing your Inner Critic to Inner Coach
• Creating team protocols for competition
• Actionable takeaways for the piste

Phase 4: Closing (15 min)

• Reflection and commitment
• Follow-up support

Ground Rules

Before the session begins, all participants agree to:

The Container - Essential Ground Rules

1. Confidentiality - What's said here, stays here
2. The Vegas Rule - Lessons leave the room, stories stay
3. No Fixing - Witness and understand, don't try to solve
4. Right to Pass - Vulnerability cannot be coerced
5. Respect the Process - Trust the discomfort

What to Bring

Required:

• Open mind and willingness to share
• Your own experiences and challenges
• Respect for others' vulnerability

Optional:

• Notebook for personal reflections
• Questions about specific mental challenges

Key Activities You'll Experience

The Check-In Matrix

Place yourself on a grid of energy and mood. Normalize that we all have different states.

The Iceberg of Pétanque

Explore what's happening below the surface - the thoughts and fears nobody sees.

The User Manual

Create an operating manual for yourself so teammates understand how to support you.

Fear in a Hat

Anonymously share deep fears and hear them validated by peers. Break the isolation.

Inner Critic Reframing

Transform harsh self-talk into supportive coaching language.

After the Workshop

You'll leave with:

• Deeper understanding of your mental patterns
• Team protocols for supporting each other
• Reframed Inner Coach phrases
• Connection to teammates through shared vulnerability
• Actionable tools for competition

Vulnerability Hangover

After deep sharing, you might feel exposed or regretful. This is normal. The facilitator will check in with you within 24 hours. Remember: what you shared helped everyone.

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For Facilitators

Your Role as Mental Performance Coordinator

As the Mental Performance Coordinator (MPC), you facilitate deep discussions about the mental game, creating psychological safety that translates to performance on the piste.

Critical Concept

You are not a technical coach or therapist. Your role is to facilitate vulnerability-based learning that helps players understand the connection between their inner thoughts and their performance.

Your Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate, don't lecture - You guide discussion, not teach technique
• Hold the space - Create and maintain psychological safety
• Bridge theory to practice - Connect website content to inner experience
• Monitor group dynamics - Notice who's engaged, who's resistant
• Maintain boundaries - Know when to refer to professional help

Pre-Workshop Preparation

Essential Competencies

Competency	What It Means	How to Develop
Emotional Intelligence	Detect micro-expressions of discomfort	Practice active observation
Neutral Authority	Command respect without technical power	Establish credibility through presence
Sport Context	Understand pressure mechanics	Learn pétanque terminology and culture
Verbal Aikido	Align with resistance, don't fight it	Practice non-defensive communication

Key Pétanque Terms to Know

• Carreau - Perfect shot that displaces opponent's boule
• Bibber - The "yips" - involuntary tremor during release
• Donnée - The "given" - accepting the terrain as it is
• Portée - Throwing without bounce
• Roulette - Rolling shot
• Cochonnet - The target ball (jack)

Physical Setup: The Magic Circle

Location Requirements

Critical Setup

Choose a neutral space AWAY from the piste. This signals a shift from physical to mental work.

Requirements:

• ✅ Soundproof or private
• ✅ Comfortable temperature
• ✅ No distractions (phones off)
• ✅ Natural light if possible
• ✅ Separate from training area

The Circle Configuration

Seating:

• Perfect circle of chairs
• NO TABLES - Tables create barriers and hide body language
• All chairs at same height (no power positions)
• Coordinator sits as part of circle (not at front)

Center Artifacts:

• Place boules and cochonnet in center
• Anchors the work to the sport
• Visual reminder of shared purpose

Session Structure (3-4 Hours)

Phase 1: Foundation (60 minutes)

1. Welcome & Ground Rules (15 min)

The Social Contract:

The Container - Essential Ground Rules

Before any sharing begins, the group MUST agree to:

1. Confidentiality - What's said here, stays here
2. The Vegas Rule - Lessons leave the room, stories stay
3. No Fixing - Witness and understand, don't try to solve
4. Right to Pass - Vulnerability cannot be coerced
5. Respect the Process - Trust the discomfort

Your Script:

"Welcome. This space is different from the piste. Here, we explore what happens inside when you're standing over that shot. Everything shared here is confidential. The lessons you learn can leave, but the personal stories stay. You're not here to fix each other - just to understand. And you can always pass. Can everyone agree to this?"

2. Activity: The Check-In Matrix (20 min)

Goal: Normalize admitting to fatigue or stress

Materials: Whiteboard or flip chart, sticky notes

Procedure:

1. Draw 2x2 matrix: High/Low Energy (vertical), Positive/Negative (horizontal)
2. Each player writes their name on sticky note
3. Place note in their current quadrant
4. Discuss: "We have three people in 'Low Energy/Negative'. How does this affect our session today?"

Facilitation Tips:

• Don't judge any quadrant as "bad"
• Ask: "What does your body need right now?"
• Notice patterns: "Three of you are in the same space - what's that about?"

3. Activity: The Iceberg of Pétanque (25 min)

Goal: Visualize hidden inner thoughts

Materials: Large paper, markers

Procedure:

1. Draw iceberg on paper
2. Above water: Write "Technique, The Throw, The Result"
3. Below water: Ask: "What's happening in your mind that nobody sees?"

Prompts:

• "What are you afraid of when you step up to shoot?"
• "What judgment are you worried about?"
• "What does your inner voice say when you miss?"

The Insight Question:

"What happens to your throwing arm when the 'underwater' stuff gets too heavy?"

This links mental load to physical tension (the bibber/yips).

Common "Below Water" Responses

• Fear of letting team down
• Worry about looking stupid
• Doubt about ability
• Comparison to others
• Pressure to prove worth
• Fear of judgment from coach/teammates
• Impostor syndrome

Phase 2: Deep Work (90 minutes)

4. Activity: The User Manual (30 min)

Goal: Operationalize empathy - help teammates understand each other

Materials: Worksheets (one per player)

The User Manual Template:

Section	Prompt	Example
My Stress Signature	"When I am anxious, I..."	"...go completely quiet"
How to Handle Me	"When I miss a crucial shot, I need..."	"...silence, not encouragement"
My Inner Thought	"The lie I tell myself is..."	"...that I'm not good enough"
My Trigger	"I get defensive when..."	"...someone questions my shot choice"

Procedure:

1. Give players 10 minutes to complete in silence
2. Go around circle - each person shares ONE section
3. Others can ask clarifying questions (not advice!)
4. Coordinator validates each share

Facilitation Script:

"This is your operating manual. When your teammate knows you go quiet when anxious, they won't take it personally. When they know you need silence after a miss, they won't try to 'fix' you. This is how we build team intelligence."

5. Connecting Website Content to Inner Thought (30 min)

Goal: Bridge technical content to psychological experience

Choose 2-3 sections from the Academy website and explore the inner game:

Example 1: Technique - The Grip and Release

The Trust Question:

"When you're at 12-12 in a tournament, does your hand feel like the technique description? Is it the muscles changing or the thought 'Don't drop it' that changes your grip?"

The Micro-Tremor:

"Who here feels the 'micro-tremor' of anxiety? What inner thought triggers that?"

Example 2: Tactics - Pointing vs. Shooting

Risk Profile:

"When the guide says 'Shoot to win,' is your reaction excitement or dread? What does that tell you about your relationship with risk?"

The Impostor:

"Do you ever point when you know you should shoot, just to avoid the embarrassment of missing? What's the cost of that safety?"

Example 3: Nutrition - Competition Day

The Comfort Food Trap:

"Do you eat what your body needs or what your anxiety wants? How do you know the difference?"

Facilitation Technique

Don't lecture about the content. Ask questions that connect the technical information to their lived experience. The insight comes from THEM, not you.

6. Activity: Fear in a Hat (30 min)

Goal: Break the isolation loop - show that peers share deep insecurities

Materials: Paper, pen, hat/bag

Procedure:

1. Everyone writes a deep career/team fear anonymously
2. Fold papers and mix in hat
3. Each player draws a note (not their own)
4. Read it aloud
5. Validate it: "I can understand why someone would feel this way because..."

Example Fears:

• "I'm afraid I've peaked and will never improve"
• "I worry my teammates think I'm overrated"
• "I fear I'll choke in the big moment"
• "I'm scared of being replaced by younger players"

The Power: When players hear their secret fear read aloud and validated by peers, the shame dissolves. They realize: "I'm not alone. This is normal."

Coordinator's Role:

• Validate EVERY fear as legitimate
• Don't minimize: "That's not true!" invalidates the feeling
• Ask: "How many of you have felt something similar?"

Phase 3: Integration (45 minutes)

7. Activity: Reframing the Inner Critic (25 min)

Goal: Cognitive restructuring - change the internal dialogue

Materials: Worksheet

Procedure:

Step 1: Identify the Critic (10 min)

"Write down the EXACT phrase your inner critic says after a miss. Not the polite version - the brutal one."

Examples:

• "You always choke"
• "Everyone's watching you fail"
• "You're embarrassing yourself"
• "You don't belong here"

Step 2: Reframe as Inner Coach (10 min)

"Now rewrite that as your Inner Coach - firm but supportive."

Examples:

• Critic: "You always choke" → Coach: "Reset and breathe. Next shot."
• Critic: "Everyone's watching you fail" → Coach: "Focus on the target, not the crowd"
• Critic: "You're embarrassing yourself" → Coach: "One shot at a time. You've done this before."

Step 3: Partner Practice (5 min)

"Share your Coach phrase with a partner. They'll remind you of it when they see the Critic emerge."

8. Bridging to the Piste (20 min)

Goal: Create actionable protocols for competition

Discussion Questions:

1. "What's ONE thing from today you'll use in your next competition?"
2. "How will your teammates know you need support?"
3. "What's your signal for 'I need a mental reset'?"

Create Team Protocols:

Situation	Protocol	Example
After a miss	Check User Manual	"Marc needs silence, Lisa needs a fist bump"
Feeling pressure	Use Coach phrase	"Reset and breathe"
Team tension	Call timeout	"Let's take 2 minutes"
Inner critic loud	Physical reset	Touch boules, deep breath

Phase 4: Closing (15 minutes)

9. The Check-Out (10 min)

Procedure: Go around circle, each person shares:

1. One thing you're taking: "What insight or tool are you leaving with?"
2. One thing you're leaving behind: "What are you letting go of?"

Coordinator's Role:

• Thank each person for their contribution
• Validate the work done
• Remind of confidentiality

10. Follow-Up Protocol (5 min)

Critical: Prevent Vulnerability Hangover

Deep work causes a "vulnerability hangover" - regret or shame about sharing.

Your 24-Hour Protocol:

• Text anyone who shared heavily within 24 hours
• Message: "Thank you for your courage yesterday. What you shared helped everyone."
• Check in: "How are you feeling about the session?"

Closing Script:

"What happened here today took courage. You showed up, you opened up, you trusted the process. That same courage is what you'll bring to the piste. Remember: the lessons leave this room, but the stories stay. Thank you."

Handling Resistance

The "Too Cool" Athlete

Scenario: A player rolls their eyes at a vulnerability exercise

Strategy: Verbal Aikido (Align and Pivot)

Script:

"I see that reaction, [Name]. Honestly, I get it. Talking about feelings feels soft. But the piste is uncomfortable. If we can't handle the discomfort of this room, we aren't training our tolerance for the discomfort of the game. Can you trust me for 20 minutes?"

The Silent Participant

Scenario: Someone hasn't spoken in 45 minutes

Strategy: Create low-stakes entry point

Script:

"[Name], I notice you're taking it all in. What's one thing that's resonating with you so far? Even just a word."

The Over-Sharer

Scenario: Someone dominates with long stories

Strategy: Gentle redirect

Script:

"Thank you for that, [Name]. I want to make sure everyone has space. Let's hear from someone who hasn't shared yet."

The Fixer

Scenario: Someone tries to solve others' problems

Strategy: Reinforce ground rules

Script:

"I appreciate you wanting to help, but remember our rule: witness and understand, don't fix. [Original speaker], what do you need right now?"

Materials Checklist

Workshop Materials

Physical Setup:

• [ ] Chairs (6-8, no tables)
• [ ] Boules and cochonnet for center
• [ ] Flip chart or whiteboard
• [ ] Markers

Activities:

• [ ] Sticky notes (Check-In Matrix)
• [ ] Large paper (Iceberg activity)
• [ ] User Manual worksheets
• [ ] Paper and pens (Fear in a Hat)
• [ ] Inner Critic/Coach worksheets

Logistics:

• [ ] Water for participants
• [ ] Tissues (emotional work!)
• [ ] Timer (keep on schedule)
• [ ] Participant contact list (for follow-up)

Coordinator Self-Care

You Need Support Too

Holding space for vulnerability is emotionally demanding.

After the workshop:

• Debrief with a peer or supervisor
• Journal about what came up for you
• Take a walk or physical break
• Don't carry their stories home

Measuring Impact

Immediate Feedback

At the end, ask:

1. "On a scale of 1-10, how safe did you feel sharing today?"
2. "What's one thing that would make the next session better?"

Long-Term Tracking

Follow up after 2-4 weeks:

• "Have you used any tools from the workshop?"
• "How has your relationship with your inner critic changed?"
• "What's different in your competition mindset?"

Next Steps

Building on This Foundation

This workshop is Phase 1. Consider:

• Follow-up sessions (online or in-person)
• On-piste integration (see Training Session guide)
• Team protocols (implement User Manuals in competition)
• Individual check-ins (for players who need more support)