Hi!  I am Coach Jim McGannon

• Played 2 sports D-1 in the Ivy League; basketball and golf  (Dartmouth College)
• Played 5 years of professional golf, based in North Carolina.  Attempted the PGA Tour Q-School twice (qualifying event for the Tour)
• Held management jobs after golf in Atlanta, NYC, Hilton Head, Greenwich, Nashville.
• Founded Basics Sports in 2006; full bio here 

“As more athletes, programs and professional organizations understand the importance of mental strength, so do the number of services expand that offer help in this key area.  

Here’s the difference with the Mindset.

I am a 6’9″ 260 lb athlete who developed and practiced these tools in competition in college and professionally.    I know exactly what it takes to compete and win. There is no substitute for being in the fray, learning under fire,  feeling the heat and knowing what to do when adversity strikes. I will teach you and your team how to do this.”

Call Coach at 616 402-1600 or email to [email protected]. 

D-1 Dartmouth Womens Golf. Ivy League Champs 2024.  Mindset trained.

Click on image for Championship video narrated by Coach Kirk (left)

What is mental strength?  3:28

The Mindset training improves confidence, resilience, commitment and attitude. It is the difference between “good” and “great”. We teach athletes, coaches and teams how to handle mistakes, poor outcomes, adversity and even failure IMMEDIATELY, because immediacy is required. 

These mental strength tools are powerful and have life-long applications.

A winning mindset is as vital as well-developed technical skills.

“…it is a difference maker…”  .30 seconds

Mental Strength Assessment

A snapshot of the player, business, team’s relative strengths and weaknesses.  The results pertain to their CONFIDENCE, their ability to handle FAILURE, and their ATTITUDE/COMMITMENT.

• The assessment allows the athlete/employee/staff member to verbalize and become aware of their thoughts and processes during competition or work. This information is a springboard to improved thinking. The assessment is in the “No Judgement Zone” meaning there are NO SCORES, NO GRADES, NO COMPARISONS.   There is only trust and acceptance.  
• It is common for the assessment ALONE to positively impact the athlete-employee-staff member.
• In Athletics: available for Youth (ages 10-12) and older players (Middle School High School, College, Professional).  The youth assessments are age appropriate, simpler.  

NOTE on the assessment: If a team, business, or organization is struggling with a specific set of issues, the assessment can be customized to deal directly with those issues. These customized assessments are powerful and can prompt positive change quickly.  Contact Coach McGannon for details on how this can work for you. 

View Assessment Video

Mental Strength Tools

• Build rock-solid routines.  Learn how to change routines if they become stale.
• Develop Visualization Techniques to include both positive outcomes and adversity. Better understand how and when to visualize.
• Learn breathing techniques to relax. Gain a better understanding of the competitive advantage gained by relaxing during times of challenge.  Applies to EVERY endeavor.
• Learn how to clear your head to compete or work.

Meeting with Coach McGannon

• Once the assessments are submitted, we meet.
• The principles of mental strength and resilience are discussed and taught.
• In Private 1 v 1 sessions, we will discuss the player-team members assessment DIRECTLY. 
• In Group or Team sessions, we will analyze the FULL TEAM RESULTS anonymously and discuss how the tools are applied to improve mental strength.
• Anecdotes from well known professional athletes/business people who have struggled with these SAME ISSUES are raised to provide perspective.
• Each player receives a Mindset Scorecard, an excellent summary of the tools.  
• IMPORTANT:  a second session is part of the cost. This is arranged 45-60 days OUT to assist with the team’s application of these key tools.  

Get Your Head In The Game!!  .42 seconds