Over a decade ago, Rob Pike partnered with Dr. Robert Troutwine to bring the groundbreaking Troutwine Athletic Profile (TAP) online and integrate advanced analytics, creating a game-changing tool for athletes and teams around the globe. Trusted by top NFL teams since the 1980s—including 11 Super Bowl champions—the TAP offers unparalleled insights into an athlete’s mental makeup, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement. Together, Troutwine and Pike have developed strategies to turn these insights into actionable advantages, helping athletes and coaches improve communication, deepen understanding, and elevate performance.

Recently, Pike visited the Triple Crown Sports (TCS) facility to explore new ways of integrating TAP with their programs. With TCS having just launched its College Sports Evaluation (CSE) Performance Lab, the TAP fits naturally alongside the physical data collected in the lab, offering athletes another tool in their pursuit of college scholarships and holistic skill development.

Q: How does the TAP help athletes improve critical traits like confidence, resilience, and assertiveness?

Rob Pike: “These are key traits we measure on the TAP, and one of the most important is ‘Grit,’ which relates to resilience. Grit is about how you handle adversity and maintain a never-quit attitude—crucial for success in athletics. Our Grit measurement was developed through a two-year collaboration with the U.S. Navy SEALs, who were trying to predict which recruits had the mental toughness to make it through training, where the failure rate is notoriously high. We created a validated Grit scale that we now apply to athletes. By measuring resilience, we can offer guidance tailored to each athlete’s specific needs, whether Grit is a strength or an area for growth. Then, we provide actionable advice on how to enhance that trait, no matter where they currently stand.”

Q: With so much advice coming at athletes from coaches, parents, and teammates, how does the TAP cut through the noise?

Rob Pike: “The TAP emphasizes self-awareness and autonomy. Athletes today are bombarded with information and conflicting guidance, which can be overwhelming. Many young athletes struggle with decisiveness—they’re afraid to make mistakes, so they hesitate or act too late. We teach them to trust their instincts and make decisions quickly. It’s about empowering them to act confidently, which translates into better performance on the field.”

Q: Coaches often say their jobs have become more challenging over time. How can TAP results help make coaching more effective?

Rob Pike: “The TAP includes a series of Coaching Indicators that provide invaluable insights into how to best coach each individual athlete. For example, some athletes respond well to tough coaching, while others shut down and need positive reinforcement. TAP also highlights how athletes are motivated—whether by external rewards, internal goals, or even their image in front of peers. Additionally, we identify how athletes process information: Do they respond better to verbal instruction, visual aids, or hands-on experience? Understanding these nuances allows coaches to tailor their methods to each athlete, making their coaching more productive and impactful.”

For more information, please email Pike@ATNathletix.com.