"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

Program 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

    • Welcome

    • Training Overview

    • Introduce Yourself

    • Are you ready to make the commitment?
  • 2

    Back in the Game Intro

    • Back in the Game Intro Video Lesson

    • Back in the Game Intro Key Points

    • Back in the Game Mental Skills Evaluation
  • 3

    Goal Setting

    • Goal Setting Video Lesson

    • Goal Setting Key Points

    • Goal Setting Video Exercise Title Page

    • Goal Setting Video Exercise

    • Goal Setting Article Exercise Title Page

    • Goal Setting Article Assignment

    • Goal Setting Skill Building Exercise Intro

    • Goal Setting Skill Building Exercise #1

    • Goal Setting Skill Building Exercise #2

    • Goal Setting Skill Building Exercise #3

    • Goal Setting Skill Building Exercise #4

    • Goal Setting Quiz Intro

    • Goal Setting Quiz
  • 4

    Preparation

    • Preparation Video Lesson

    • Preparation Key Points

    • Preparation Video Exercise Title Page

    • Preparation Video Exercise

    • Preparation Article Exercise Title Page

    • Preparation Article Assignment

    • Preparation Skill Building Exercise Intro

    • Preparation Skill Building Exercise #1

    • Preparation Skill Building Exercise #2

    • Preparation Skill Building Exercise #3

    • Preparation Quiz Intro

    • Preparation Quiz
  • 5

    Building Confidence

    • Building Confidence Video Lesson

    • Building Confidence Key Points

    • Building Confidence Video Exercise Title Page

    • Building Confidence Video Exercise

    • Building Confidence Article Exercise Title Page

    • Building Confidence Article Assignment

    • Building Confidence Skill Building Exercise Intro

    • Building Confidence Skill Building Exercise #1

    • Building Confidence Skill Building Exercise #2

    • Building Confidence Skill Building Exercise #3

    • Building Confidence Quiz Intro

    • Building Confidence Quiz
  • 6

    Self-Talk and Visualization

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Video Lesson

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Key Points

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Video Exercise Title Page

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Video Exercise #1

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Video Exercise #2

    • Self-Talk & Visualization Article Exercise Title Page

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Article Assignment

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Skill Building Exercise Intro

    • 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 Quiz Intro

    • Self-Talk and Visualization Quiz
  • 7

    Focus/Motivation

    • Focus and Motivation Video Lesson

    • Focus and Motivation Key Points

    • Focus and Motivation Video Exercise Title Page

    • Focus and Motivation Video Exercise #1

    • Focus and Motivation Video Exercise #2

    • Focus and Motivation Article Exercise Title Page

    • Focus and Motivation Article Assignment

    • Focus and Motivation Skill Building Exercise Intro

    • 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 Quiz Intro

    • Focus and Motivation Quiz
  • 8

    Working Through Adversity

    • Working Through Adversity Video Lesson

    • Working Through Adversity Key Points

    • Working Through Adversity Video Exercise Title Page

    • Working Through Adversity Video Exercise

    • Working Through Adversity Article Exercise Title Page

    • Working Through Adversity Article Assignment

    • Working Through Adversity Skill Building Exercise Intro

    • Working Through Adversity Skill Building Exercise #1

    • Working Through AdversitySkill Building Exercise #2

    • Working Through AdversitySkill Building Exercise #3

    • Working Through Adversity Quiz Intro

    • Working Through Adversity Quiz
  • 9

    Mental Health and Addiction

    • Mental Health and Addiction Video Lesson

    • Mental Health and Addiction Key Points

    • Mental Health and Addiction Video Exercise Title Page

    • Mental Health and Addiction Video Exercise #1

    • Mental Health and Addiction Video Exercise #2

    • Mental Health and Addiction Video Exercise #3

    • Mental Health and Addiction Video Exercise #4

    • Mental Health and Addiction Quiz Intro

    • Mental Health and Addiction Quiz
  • 10

    Completion

    • Congratulations!!

    • BIG Mental Skills Training Survey
  • 11

    Back in the Game: A Sports and Mindset Podcast

    • Episode #1- First episode, layout of the podcast, goal setting, interview w/ Randy Harris-former D1 Hockey Player/President of Lighthouse Technology Services.

    • Episode #2- In this episode we discuss what it means to stay present. We will give our 3 tips to get your mind Back in the Game as well as visit with Allison Coomey, the associate head coach of the women's hockey team at Penn State.

    • Episode #3-In this episode we talk about working through adversity and how to look at adverse situations as opportunities. We are visited by Tommie Kesten, a soloist with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

    • Episode #4-Today we discuss confidence building exercises and are joined by RMU Men's Basketball Coach Andy Toole.

    • Episode #5- We will be discussing developing your identity and setting yourself up for success by defining yourself as more than an athlete. We are joined by former Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson.

    • Episode #6- In this episode Rob and Racheal discuss emotional recovery from injuries w Dr. Alcala.

    • In this episode Rob and Racheal discuss the topic of "intangibles." Director of Youth Hockey-USA Hockey, Kenny Rausch, joins the team to offer some additional info on the topic.

    • Episode #8-Ep. #8: We talk with Coach of the Colby College Men's Hockey Team Blaise MacDonald about the the topic of motivation.

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.

MSW, LSW

Rachael Popcak

Rachael is a full-time mental health counselor and performance coach. She completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Rachael obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work (Clinical Specialization) from the University of Pittsburgh. She is a Licensed Social Worker and has received additional advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Rachael is a former competitive figure skater and dancer. She has specialized in performance skills training throughout her life, education, and career. Rachael has worked with athletes and organizations to help them achieve their sports performance goals. Her areas of expertise include mindfulness training, goal setting, and confidence-building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More About Back in the Game ®

  • What will I learn from the 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.