"The game is 90% mental and the other 10% is mental too.”

Are you an athlete looking to improve your mental game? Are you a coach looking for a way to improve team chemistry and motivation?

Get Back in the Game®

Introducing the Back in the Game Virtual Course! We have spent the past few years developing an affordable sports performance program for athletes of all ages. Our goal is to teach athletes the necessary mental skills to take their game to the next level! We focus on teaching six core mental skills (goal setting, preparation, confidence building, self-talk/visualization, focus/motivation, working through adversity) that research has shown to lead to game-changing success. In addition, we provide education and prevention strategies to athletes on the topics of mental health and addiction.

The Back in the Game ® Program has shown

  • Drastic improvement in athlete motivation and focus

  • Significant improvement in team cohesion

  • Major decreases in major depressive symptoms and performance anxiety

Social proof: testimonials

"It has made me mentally stronger. Also it has taught me many ways to relax my mind so I can flourish."

"Made me more aware of the mental aspects of the game."

"I think that this program has really challenged the mental aspect of my game by making me a student of the game."

"It’s helped a lot… never would’ve thought how much the mental aspect would impact my game and even mindset off the court."

"It has made me more confident in my abilities and allowed me not to dwell so much on my mistakes but use them as building blocks to succeed."

"The most influential parts of this program helped my mental game by showing me different ways to set goals and keep track of them. As well as stay level headed when going through different trials and tribulations."

Program Results: Athletes in Back in the Game® Report

  • 20% increase in mental skills knowledge and application

  • 47% decrease in major depressive symptoms

  • 18% decrease in performance anxiety symptoms

Coaches Report

  • Improved team cohesion

  • Athletes were better able to handle the ups and downs of a long season

  • Athletes learned how to focus on what’s important during the game

  • Athletes were better able to move on from mistakes

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Getting Started

    • Introduce Yourself: Let Us Know More About You!

    • Are You Ready To Make The Commitment?
  • 2

    Back in the Game Intro Module #1

    • Back in the Game Intro Video Lesson

    • Back in the Game Intro Key Points

    • Back in the Game Mental Skills Evaluation

    • Schedule First Session
  • 3

    Goal Setting Module #2

    • Goal Setting Video Lesson

    • Goal Setting Key Points

    • Goal Setting Skill Building Exercise #1

    • Goal Setting Skill Building Exercise #2

    • Goal Setting Skill Building Exercise #3

    • Goal Setting Quiz
  • 4

    Preparation Module #3

    • Preparation Video Lesson

    • Preparation Key Points

    • Preparation Skill Building Exercise #1

    • Preparation Skill Building Exercise #2

    • Preparation Skill Building Exercise #3

    • Preparation Quiz
  • 5

    Building Confidence Module #4

    • Building Confidence Video Lesson

    • Building Confidence Key Points

    • Building Confidence Skill Building Exercise #1

    • Building Confidence Skill Building Exercise #2
  • 6

    Self-Talk and Visualization Module #5

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Video Lesson

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Key Points

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Skill Building Exercise #1

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Skill Building Exercise #2

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Skill Building Exercise #3

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Skill Building Exercise #4

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Exercise #5
  • 7

    Focus/Motivation Module #6

    • Focus and Motivation Video Lesson

    • Focus and Motivation Key Points

    • Focus and Motivation Skill Building Exercise #1

    • Focus and Motivation Skill Building Exercise #2

    • Focus and Motivation Skill Building Exercise #3

    • Focus and Motivation Skill Building Exercise #4

    • Focus and Motivation Skill Building Exercise #5

    • Focus and Motivation Skill Building Exercise #6
  • 8

    Working Through Adversity Module #7

    • Working Through Adversity Video Lesson

    • Working Through Adversity Key Points

    • Working Through Adversity Skill Building Exercise #1

    • Working Through AdversitySkill Building Exercise #2
  • 9

    Completion

    • Congratulations!!

    • Back in the Game Mental Skills Training Survey

    • Schedule Third Session

    • References

Back in the Game® Instructors

LCSW, CMC

Rob Bumbaco

Back in the Game® was developed by Rob Bumbaco, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Mental Coach, and former Division 1 athlete. During his time playing competitive hockey, Rob noticed gaps in the support and services available to his fellow athletes. Combining his mental health training and experience on the ice, Rob has created a suite of tools to achieve optimal athletic performance.

LSW, IGDC

Matt Missar

Matt Missar is a clinician with The Better Institute and a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work. Matt holds a Masters of Social Work degree with a focus in Direct Practice and certificate in Mental Health. Matt has also recently obtained his International Gaming Disorder Certificate (IGDC). Matt values working with individuals of all ages and specializes in working with younger individuals regarding stress, anxiety, and problematic gaming. Matt has a unique ability to genuinely engage and connect with each client. Matt brings an extraordinary research background to The Better Institute in which he has conducted in-depth research examining the vulnerability and resilience among children at-risk for maladaptive psychosocial outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More About Back in the Game ®

  • What will I learn from this program?

    The Back in the Game ® program will teach you the 6 core mental skills for success. You will be provided with multiple exercises for each skill to help you further develop these skills.

  • How long is the program?

    The program is a self-paced program. There are 8 total modules with PowerPoint presentations and exercises. It is suggested that you take your time and begin to incorporate the exercises and knowledge you gain into your current training.

  • Is this program for individuals and teams?

    This program is designed for both individuals and teams. You can use this to further develop your individual mental game or coaches can use this for their team to provide an additional resource to their players.