Lior Lifshitz: "Athletes were ashamed to talk about mental difficulties and anxieties" Israel today

Lior Lifshitz (37) retired from active play in 2018, after a rich career during which he won the state cup with Hapoel Holon and played for Hapoel Jerusalem, Maccabi Rishon LeZion, Hapoel Galil Elyon, Urbani Ashkelon, Barak Netanya and other teams. Since then he has become a sports psychologist and mental coach.

In recent years, he has served as a sports psychologist for the young Israeli national teams, alongside working individually with athletes.

Among other things, he has written a book called "Overcoming Self," which provides practical tools for dealing with stress and raising self-confidence while playing.

The psychological and mental issue is gaining momentum in Israeli sports and of course around the world.

What do you think is the reason?

"Maximizing performance is the name of the game. In the not-too-distant past, teams and athletes focused mainly on professional and physical aspects. Today, there is a clear understanding that without the mental aspect - the athlete will not be able to express his abilities under high pressure.

In recent years more and more senior athletes are revealing and talking about their problems.

What motivates this?

"Mental falls have always been, only until recently they were not called that. Athletes were ashamed to talk about mental difficulties because there was not really awareness and openness to share and overwhelm a difficulty that is not physical. Today, after development and learning, we know the best experience high stress and anxiety. "I think the very discourse that developed as a result of the athlete's mental difficulties is no less important than the resolution of the crisis itself."

Lifshitz in Ashkelon urban uniform against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Photo: Alan Shiver,

In the past, when you played, there was much less talk about such topics.

What is the reason for the change?

"Athletes today unequivocally understand that the mental aspect is the glue that connects the technical, tactical and physical component. They understand that in order to bring their ability from training to games - they need to use mental tools to help them reach peak performance."

In the modern age, with social networks and the intense pace, much more mental work is needed?

"There is a great need for mental guidance. I want to share some important data from 2021: 40 percent of Israelis have experienced an anxiety attack during their lifetime. Every fifth person reported depression. Now, let's stop for a moment and think about the same person who happens to be a basketball player A minute before the end of the game and with everything on his shoulders, imagine a tennis player waking up from the stands while her father is playing.

"Now you will double the intensities of stress, anxiety and fear that a person experiences, plus the status and eyes that are drawn from all sides to the same athlete. The conclusion is clear - mental guidance from a qualified professional will help deal with the emotional roller coaster and lead to better results."

What are the significant mental challenges that athletes face?

"Of course there are differences between adult athletes I work with and young athletes. The challenges are varied and include dealing with stress, declining self-confidence, dealing with failures and more. Ultimately, the biggest challenge is the athlete's desire to bring his good abilities from training to play."

In the Hapoel Jerusalem uniform.

Lifshitz,

Which is harder, dealing with success or dealing with failure?

"Each person and athlete has a different personality structure and characteristics. Each person will interpret a certain event differently. One of the most important issues I talk about in the clinic is which interpretation the athlete gives to loss, victory or for example a mistake. And with the help of change, bring about better performance. "

Do coaches in Israel cooperate with the mental coach?

"From my personal experience yes, and beyond that, today coaches come to professionals like me to know how to better deal with the cognitive and emotional loads during a season. The goal of the coach and mine is the same goal - to get the best out of the players.

"For the past three years, I have accompanied the young Israeli teams. During the preparation and the championship itself, I felt that the coaches consult, ask questions and ask for constructive criticism. Together we find solutions that bring the team to good results."

If you, as an actor, had a mental coach, would you be more successful in your career?

"Definitely yes".

Still miss basketball sometimes?

"In my day-to-day work, many issues arise from the court and from crucial moments of stress. I feel like I experience basketball from another powerful place that is much more interesting to me."

Who is the best player to play with you?

"The best is a matter of definition. In the eyes of the best actors, they were very special people. Dror Hajaj, Uri Kukia, Amit Ben-David are good examples of this."

Who is the best player to play against you?

"Omri Caspi".

The moment you will not forget.

"The victory in the last second of the state cup final with Hapoel Holon - a moment I will remember all my life."

The most disappointing moment in his career?

"The loss in the 2004 European Championship final in the last seconds against Slovenia - I mostly remember the emotional turmoil I had after we wanted so badly to win the European Championship."

Omri Caspi.

The best he played against Lifshitz, Photo: Alan Shiber,

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