There is a book formerly called _Toughness_Training_for_Athletes_ that talks all about the practical application of mental toughness. Loehr talks about the importance of finding, maintaining, and controlling your "Ideal Performance State", or IPS, and how being able to harness and control your IPS on command is crucial to being a successful athlete.

I've been fortunate to be able to start for two national championship winning rugby teams, and I give a small fraction of credit for my personal athletic success to some of the lessons in the book.

It's now called Toughness Training for Sports: http://www.amazon.com/New-Toughness-Training-Sports-Psycholo...