This is the second part of a three part series about my time at FC Copenhagen. If you missed the first instalment, head back to the blog section of our website and have a read. This will make a whole more sense.
Back to the blog, and my next lesson in FCK Culture...
The power of the mind – Respect it, Understand it, Treat it
In recent times, both in sport and the greater community, mental health has come to the fore. Specifically, more discussion has arisen around men’s health, and more specifically again, young men (this is an excellent thing!). This is the entire clinical population of male elite sporting clubs, and thus this aspect of care simply can’t be ignored.
Elite athletes would likely have more constant & intense scrutiny on them than any other person of equivalent age and gender in society. Their job is a high pressure and high stress environment. Furthermore, in an age now when this scrutiny can be found in their pocket 24/7, maintaining a healthy & happy psychological state is more challenging than ever.
I first heard of ‘forced recovery’ from Darren Burgess’ work (another great Aussie making it big!), and it just made sense. As therapists working with athletes, we must think beyond the physical and take a psychosocial approach, considering the entire ‘complex organism.’ The intimate relationship of mind and body has been demonstrated in increasingly various contexts, with lots of research specifically outlining the physical 'side effects' of psychological stress.
At FCK, this facet of recovery and preparation is taken just as seriously as any physical rehab or performance session. On recovery days, players take part in guided meditation and mindfulness sessions, with the goal being, ‘switching off’ and being present. I was lucky enough to experience one of these session. Initially ‘switching off’ was a real challenge. I found myself making a to-do list of what I could get done straight after the session… largely practicing the antithesis of what was being asked of me. After a few more minutes, I did reach fleeting moments of ‘being present’ and left the room noticeably relaxed, but fully aware my ‘mindfulness muscles’ had room for improvement.
Mindfulness was not a new concept to me, but the unique strategy I did see here was the club-wide ‘energy/stress traffic light system’. From top to bottom of the club, Manager to media staff, S and C staff to doctors, the team bought into this concept.
Basically the overall day was given a rating of ‘energy or stress’:
Green = Relaxed, take it easy, switch off, recover. No performance pressure.
Yellow = Switch up a gear, intense day, high levels of mental acuity required, high stress, get moving.
Red = Too switched on, usually related game related events, high stress. Moderate behaviours and take actions to drop to Yellow
This may mean slightly different things for different people, but it set the tone about how to behave around the players and what to ask of them on any given day.
Genius in its simplicity and clarity
'The 24 hour Pro'
Nothing new this concept... but there's concept and execution.
A lot of professional athletes would consider themselves '24-hour pros'. They’d believe in doing everything to ensure they are at their best. Alternatively, it is also worth noting that some would definitely not consider themselves '24-hour pros' but more of a ‘nine to five pro'.
'Nine to five pro' - One who does what is required, are talented and work hard enough to be good enough to fulfil their role… but may also enjoy ‘leisure time’ (to put it euphemistically) more than others... no judgement intended.
Someone like Dane Swan might come to mind. I am in no way questioning his work ethic, talent and certainly not his output. I would say he may even agree with this description. He wasn’t doing everything 24 hours a day purely for football performance, but his resume illustrates this approach clearly worked for him.
At FCK this is not a forced, didactic & steadfast rule, but more of a subcutaneous theme. It is below the surface in everything the players do.
"The 24 Hour Pro is a lifestyle guide to support our performance model so the players are FIT, FRESH, AVAILABLE for every game" - David Cosgrave
Players do not drink alcohol and often spend most of their spare time at home or laid back socialising with friends. There is no club sanctioned ‘third half’ or ‘ladsy' functions that are common place in Australian & English culture… Why? Simply, because it serves no function to their job.
Pragmatic… Definitely
Obsessive… Likely
Over the top… Up for debate.
At the end of the day, FCK players are payed very good money to win, and are expected, internally and externally, to win the Danish Super League EVERY SINGLE YEAR & qualify for European competition, so they behave as such.
All players & teams are different, and there is clearly not one 'right' way. However, when a principle such as this is bought into religiously by the majority (and not just written on the walls), it’s amazing what behaviours a group with a common goal can buy into. Sporting history is littered with stories of success on the back of these ‘team pacts’.
No one knows everything – invite external opinion and criticism
Elite sporting clubs can sometimes feel like a secret service. This narrative is often played out in the media, with discussions around players undertaking ‘secret treatments’ or players and staff being sworn to secrecy regarding a player’s health or availability... which often leads to some weird and wonderful rumours and speculation.
I understand there are reasons for this in a world where winning games means millions of dollars at times, and injuries can mean the loss of a player's livelihood. The unfortunate down side of this style of practice is a tendency to build walls around the players and their management. This can possibly result in isolating them from access to the best care or performance training merely because the people who can provide this simply don’t happen to work at the club.
North Korea and Cuba (yes, extreme example) show us that closed communities don’t develop and grow like those around them that allow the influence of external parties.
At FCK, players have the right to seek and work with external parties on the proviso that these professionals are happy to meet the medical/performance team (in person) and demonstrate their philosophy sits harmonious with that of the club's, and be open to critique. I personally think this is fantastic. Social contact has always been the best way to change perceptions and facilitate teamwork.
As humans, we fear and are suspicious most what we don’t know or understand. So get to know them, and try to understand their methods.
Yes, this again presents a risk to the club. This ‘outsider’ could expose club secrets, or steal IP, and that would be bad. However, to choose 'professional quarantine' to eliminate this risk means stifling learning and growth opportunities for all within the club. For this working relationship to succeed it requires everyone to 'come to the party.' There needs to be trust in the external professional, and this individual must repay the favour by preserving confidentiality. From the club therapists, it requires an open mind and the ability to relinquish some ‘control’ over 'their athlete'. This can be hard and even scary at times (the outcomes may have impact on your job security) , but could result in a rich learning experience for all, and provide the best outcome for the player… win win.
"You only know….what you know"
If staff can be as open minded as their players are, then they should be curious* to all inputs in their management.
Curiosity = Open minded but skeptical, critical but not cynical
To be continued... stay tuned for the final chapter of Dave's blog about his time at FC Copenhagen.
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