MINNEAPOLIS - How do you move on from a miracle?
After Sunday's "Minnesota Miracle," the Vikings find themselves just one win away from scoring the franchise's first trip to the Super Bowl since 1976.
So, how do the Vikings avoid an emotional letdown in Philadelphia?
"Particularly in football it's about routines. It's getting back to the same weekly routine that they've had during the regular season. Monday film study, practices, game planning for the opponent that's coming up," said Simon Almaer, a Mental Skills Coach with Premier Sport Psychology in Edina. "That's why we hear player's say - one play at a time, one game at a time - they've been drilled on that approach in their career."
Almaer says after emotional wins, players have to focus on getting grounded. Right now, everyone who's ever met them is trying to connect. So, players might want to back off social media and keep themselves in a bubble.
"Being even-keeled is helpful in these situations, not getting so high off of one play or win that drains too much energy away that makes it harder to come back," said Almaer.
But, what about carrying over confidence from last week?
"Anytime we can draw on things that build our confidence, that build on our belief in not only our ability, but the ability of our teammates, is a good thing," said Almaer. "So, taking the lessons from last Sunday and the performances that were particularly strong, plays that were very effective, sure, carry that confidence into the game. We would just say in terms of emotions, we don't want to get out of hand."
While the Vikings move on from Sunday's "Minnesota Miracle," they take an important internal lesson, something they learned about themselves.
"That belief that, OK, this team is really resilient, look how we've come back, and so if we do, you know, lose a little momentum in the game on Sunday, this team knows that they've got the ability individually and as a team to bounce back in those tough situations," said Almaer.
