Can You Perform Your Best When Doubting?
Summary
Every athlete experiences self-doubt, whether before a big competition, during a slump, or after a major success that brings new expectations. Doubts can hold athletes back by creating tension, slowing decision-making, and disrupting focus. The goal isn’t to eliminate doubt completely but to manage it effectively in the moment. Golden State Valkyries guard Kate Martin is a great example of this mindset. When doubts creep in, she redirects her focus outward—cheering for teammates, defending with energy, or finding small ways to stay engaged. By quickly shifting her attention, Martin prevents doubt from taking control. Below are four proven strategies to help athletes manage doubt, reframe negative thinking, and compete with confidence.
How do you overcome self-doubt during competitions? Do you actively attempt to implement strategies to counter your doubts?
Every athlete, no matter how experienced, has moments of doubt. Doubts can creep in before acompetition, during a slump in performance, late in a game, or even after a major success when the expectations for repeat performances are high.
Doubts and fears are performance inhibitors. They slow down decision-making, create muscle tension, lead to hesitancy, throw off mechanics, clutter the mind, and interfere with your ability to focus.
The issue is not how to prevent doubts from ever popping into your mind, but how to overcomeself-doubt in the moment, so it doesn’t interfere with your ability to perform at a high level.
One example of how to overcome self-doubt is Golden State Valkyries second-year guard Kate Martin. Martin admits she still has moments of doubt as a professional. However, Martin has found a way of managing those doubts so they don’t limit her play on the court.
When Martin notices doubts creeping into her mind, she quickly refocuses on something external.
MARTIN: “I have a thing that if I am in my own head, I will try to get into somebody else’s, not in a trash-talk sort of way. If I’m in my own head feeling doubt, I just try to cheer extra loud for somebody else and put my focus on someone else.”
Martin understands that when you focus on doubts, they tend to grow. Instead of giving doubts more power over her performance, Martin focuses on cheering for her teammates, playing tough defense, or playing with greater energy.
Self-doubt will always lurk deep in the background, no matter your level of experience. The key is to manage self-doubt as they arise, instead of focusing on those negative thoughts and allowing them to grow and take over your game.
By quickly recognizing doubt, reframing it, or channeling your energy into something productive or performance-enhancing, you can perform at your best in that moment.
4 Proven Strategies to Overcome Self-Doubt in Sports
1. Understand the Nature of Doubt
The first step in overcoming self-doubt in sports is understanding that doubt is normal and experienced by athletes at every level. Instead of believing something is wrong with you when doubt arises, remind yourself that even elite professionals face it before games or during tough moments. By normalizing doubt, you take away its power and recognize that you can still perform at a high level despite its presence.
2. Shift Attention Outward
A powerful method for overcoming self-doubt in sports is to redirect your focus outward instead of retreating into your own negative thoughts. When you start overthinking, shift your energy toward actions that impact the game positively–cheering for teammates, increasing defensive effort, or committing to hustle plays. This outward focus helps you stay engaged in the moment and prevents doubts from taking over your mindset.
3. Change the Inner Conversation
Your self-talk plays a major role in overcoming self-doubt in sports. When negative thoughts creep in, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll mess this up,” it’s important to challenge those thoughts and replace them with confident, realistic statements. Remind yourself of your preparation, your skills, and your ability to respond under pressure. Over time, this positive inner dialogue rewires your mindset and strengthens your mental toughness.
4. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome
One of the most effective strategies for overcoming self-doubt in sports is to shift attention away from results and toward the process. Doubts often stem from fear of outcomes—worrying about losing, disappointing others, or failing. Instead, anchor your focus on controllable actions: your mechanics, routines, and effort. By staying process-driven, you not only reduce anxiety but also build confidence in your ability to execute each moment with focus.
FAQ – Self-Doubt in Sports
Q: Is self-doubt normal for athletes?
A: Yes, every athlete experiences doubt at some point, from youth players to professionals. What matters is how you manage those doubts so they don’t impact your performance.
Q: How does self-doubt affect performance?
A: Self-doubt can cause hesitation, slower reactions, tension, and loss of focus. If unmanaged, it can negatively impact decision-making and execution during competition.
Q: Can self-doubt ever be helpful?
A: In small amounts, doubt can sharpen focus and motivate athletes to prepare more effectively. The key is preventing doubt from overwhelming your confidence.
Q: What is the best quick fix for doubt during a game?
A: The fastest strategy is to use a reset routine—take a deep breath, refocus on one task, and use positive self-talk to bring your attention back to the present moment.
Q: How do professionals deal with self-doubt?
A: Many professionals use strategies such as visualization, mindfulness, and positive self-talk. Some, like Kate Martin, redirect their focus outward by supporting teammates or playing with extra energy.
Related Sports Psychology Article
- 5 Ways to Deal with Athletic Setbacks
- 4 Mindsets to Feel Comfortable at a New Arena
- 4 Ways Athletes Can Build a Competitive Mindset
The Fearless Athletes: A 14-Day Program for Unbeatable Trust
The Fearless Athlete program is ideal for any athlete that wants to overcome fear of failure and uncover inhibiting perfectionistic traits; or for any coach or parent who wants to teach athletes to perform with trust and freedom in competition.
“The Fearless Athlete” program is presented on two 75-minute CD’s with a 78-page step-by-step workbook. I combine a practical and real-life workbook with a step-by-step CD program that takes you through each day of the 14 day program – like having your own personal mental coach. It’s a complete system for reprogramming your mindset for unbeatable trust in competition
You can use these CDs at home with the practical workbook or download them onto your iPod so you can listen to them in your car or van repeatedly until the strategies are stored in your sub-conscious mind.
