Expectations equals pressure for athletes… Pressure is a normal part of sports for athletes. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find athletes not make some type of reference about pressure they felt. As you become more competitive, pressure seems to increase and, for many athletes, that can be an overwhelming aspect of the athletic experience. Athletes … Sport Psychology Article…
Can you take your foot off the gas pedal during a competition? Ask yourself the following questions: There have been countless historic collapses in sports when teams had seemingly insurmountable leads yet found themselves on the losing end when the final buzzer sounded. You can probably think of a competition in your sport when a team collapsed after … Sport Psychology Article…
What is the most significant mental factor that helps athletes pull off the upset? Competing against a significantly higher-ranked opponent or a team with a better record is not just a physical challenge but also a mental challenge. The main mental ingredient in upset victories is belief. By belief, I’m not just talking about pie-in-the-sky belief, but belief … Sport Psychology Article…
Is mental toughness really “a thing”? Mental toughness is constantly mentioned in interviews after sporting events. For example, in practically every basketball conference tournament or NCAA tournament game, a commentator, coach, or player talks about mental toughness. But does mental toughness really exist? If so, what is it, and how can it be developed? Simply stated, mental toughness … Sport Psychology Article…
Have you ever wondered how great athletes became great? What elevated Patrick Mahomes, Lebron James, Alex Morgan, Sabrina Ionescu, and Novak Djokovic to great heights? Each of those athletes is talented. However, there are plenty of examples of gifted athletes who never lived up to their potential. In fact, every year during the NFL draft, commentators talk about … Sport Psychology Article…
What is the most challenging obstacle that holds an athlete back from their potential? You can probably rattle off a list of obstacles, such as lack of confidence, access to training, inexperienced coaching, genetics, fear of failure, etc. Of course, genetics, training, and coaching are important. However, you can find resources to overcome these challenges, improve your conditioning, … Sport Psychology Article…