"Three minutes before tipoff, A'ja Wilson - the Las Vegas Aces' center-forward and four-time WNBA MVP - gets rid of jitters by meeting with the team chaplain for a quick prayer. Before and after games, the Golden State Valkyries' Kate Martin treats her muscles to leg massages and mobility stretches. And throughout the season, Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks makes vision boards with the help of a sports psychologist."
"Although the women of the W are the stars of the show, countless people work behind the scenes to keep them ready and well. Sometimes you'll see them in action, like when a trainer dashes onto the court midgame to tape an ankle, but it's rare to get a glimpse at the entire crew that supports athletes' minds, bodies, and spirits."
Players use varied routines—prayers, massages, mobility work, and vision boards—to manage nerves and prepare mentally and physically. Teams employ full- and part-time trainers, strength coaches, and physical therapists to maintain physical health and provide in-game care. Chaplains, sports psychologists, and meditation leaders support spiritual and mental well-being with prayers, counseling, and mental skills like vision-boarding. Support staff operate behind the scenes and sometimes appear midgame to treat injuries; their coordinated efforts enable players to perform under pressure. The league has fielded dozens of such staffers annually since 1996, reflecting an institutional commitment to holistic athlete care.
Read at Bustle
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