How to Take Advantage of Home-Field Advantage Home-Field advantage, does it exist or is it just a myth? Many sports teams compete hard all year long to gain home advantage in the playoffs… Gymnasts feel they have an edge over the competition when competing in the facility where they train… Basketball players feel that they feed off their fans when playing on their home-court… Baseball … [Read more...] about Home-Field Advantage: A Blessing or Curse?
Sports Psychology Articles
Expectations vs. Goals for Athletes
What is a Goal? Going into a competitive season with realistic goals adds motivation, direction and purpose for an athlete. Going into a competitive season with excessively high expectations adds pressure, anxiety and distraction for an athlete. Throw adversity into the equation, things change drastically. First, let’s examine exactly what goals are and how adversity affects the … [Read more...] about Expectations vs. Goals for Athletes
Pregame Nerves Facts and Fiction
How to Use Pregame "Nerves" to your Advantage Many athletes have misconceptions about the effects of pregame “nerves” before competition sport. *Misconception 1: Elite athletes are NEVER nervous. *Misconception 2: It's the total lack of nerves that cause elite athletes to be successful. *Misconception 3: Elite athletes are born with the capacity to remain 100 percent calm even in the … [Read more...] about Pregame Nerves Facts and Fiction
How to Avoid Burnout and Dropout in Sports
Letting Go of Expectations Have you ever been so frustrated with a lack of improvement and not reaching your expectations that training and practicing just doesn’t seem worth the time and effort? At times you feel like walking away from competing just because you feel so burned out or lack enthusiasm? Sports can be demanding, but some athletes increase those demands by putting excessive … [Read more...] about How to Avoid Burnout and Dropout in Sports
Athletes Who React Poorly to Criticism
How to Have Stable Confidence Do you buy into the negativity from other people? Do you lose confidence when others critique your game? Just this week, I received a message from a soccer player who said: "I'm often challenged mentally during practice if a teammate tells me how I can't do a certain thing, such as properly marking my opponent. I end up questioning my ability to do so, … [Read more...] about Athletes Who React Poorly to Criticism
Are You Good Enough to Start on Your Team, but Don’t?
How to be Mentally Prepared on the Bench One of the most challenging situations for athletes is knowing you're good enough to start, be on a relay team, get more playing time, or make a travel squad yet you are not given an opportunity by the coach. Not getting a chance to contribute to a team can erode confidence. And confidence is the very thing you need when it's time to show others you … [Read more...] about Are You Good Enough to Start on Your Team, but Don’t?
Coping with Pregame Anxiety
How to Stay Relaxed before a Competition “I feel like I’m going to be sick to my stomach.” Have you ever had this feeling prior to a competition? Have you ever been so anxious that you feel physically sick in the locker room before a game or competition? For some athletes, this feeling repeats itself as they carry it into each competition. This anxiety can hurt your performance because … [Read more...] about Coping with Pregame Anxiety
5 Mental Toughness Skills in Basketball
Do you struggle in the game with Mental Toughness? In “Sports Psychology Sessions with Doc,” Dr. Patrick Cohn answers sports psychology questions from athletes, parents and coaches. Visit Sports Psychology for Athletes at Peaksports.com and click on contact us to submit your mental game questions for Dr. Cohn to answer in his mental game videocast or podcast. 5 Mental Toughness Skills … [Read more...] about 5 Mental Toughness Skills in Basketball
How to Stay Motivated in Training Sessions
Challenges Help you Reach Goals It can be difficult to stay motivated and train at a high level throughout the competitive season. Practices can be monotonous. Depending on the sport, training sessions can be long and grueling. Seasons are lengthy. There are ups and downs all through the year. Injuries and discomfort can pile up during the year. A lot of time and energy are expended … [Read more...] about How to Stay Motivated in Training Sessions
BIG Competitions Mindset for Athletes
How to Approach an Important Competition Do you wish you could play BIG in BIG moments? All athletes want to come up BIG in BIG moments such as: The gymnast who hopes to nail her routine in a championship meet.The golfer who dreams of sinking a birdie putt to win a golf tournament.The basketball player who wants to sink the final shot to win a playoff game.The baseball reliever who dreams … [Read more...] about BIG Competitions Mindset for Athletes