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
Composure in Sports
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
How to Overcome Pressure
Athletes who Feel Pressure This is a question each athlete needs to ask themselves. You can think of many triggers that can add to the pressure of competitive sports. For some athletes, the feel pressure from excessively high expectations for themselves. Some athletes feel added pressure due to their perfectionist mentality. Some athletes feel pressure to perform due to perceived … [Read more...] about How to Overcome Pressure
How to Cope With Mistakes Like This Pro
Letting Go of Mistakes in Competition Every athlete makes mistakes... It's part of sports. Think of how many times you have seen an elite figure skater trip over their own skate, under-rotate on an easy jump, or forget their program? Or a veteran baseball player get caught taking a fastball right over the plate with the bases loaded, get picked off at first base, or forget how many outs there … [Read more...] about How to Cope With Mistakes Like This Pro
Control Your Emotions When Returning From an Injury
Your Mental Toughness and Returning From an Injury Coming back from athletic injury is an experience laden with intense emotions... An injured athlete returning to competition will run through the gamut of both positive and negative emotions: Fear – Fear of re-injury is the most common emotion of injured athletes. The thoughts of re-injury or how the injured body part may hold up can be … [Read more...] about Control Your Emotions When Returning From an Injury
Don’t Talk Yourself Into Service Miss in Volleyball
Overcoming Pressure to Preform in Games Have you ever missed a crucial serve? Like one of the "deadly sins" of serving? A first point, a game point, after a time-out, after a teammate misses their serve? Serving under pressure, especially in a position like game point, can be extremely difficult for volleyball players. You might feel like the spotlight is on you and everyone is watching … [Read more...] about Don’t Talk Yourself Into Service Miss in Volleyball
Coping With Teammates Who Make Mistakes
Focusing on The Controllables in Volleyball Have you ever played with a teammate who continued to make errors? Did this frustrate you as a player? Do you expect your teammates to play perfectly and not make mistakes? I was a 6-rotation outside throughout my volleyball career. I remember playing with a setter one time in high school who regularly got called for doubles and rarely pushed the … [Read more...] about Coping With Teammates Who Make Mistakes
How to Maintain Focus Through a Volleyball Match
What Should You Focus on During a Volleyball Match? Do you or your athletes struggle to maintain focus, or concentration through an entire match? Do you get thrown off or distracted with momentum shifts? Is it difficult for you to let go of mistakes or past points and play one touch at a time? These can all be considered distractions for a volleyball player. Some other distractions that … [Read more...] about How to Maintain Focus Through a Volleyball Match
Staying Calm When You’re Passed by Other Racers
How to Stay Composed When Passed in a Triathlon Does this scenario sound familiar... Sometimes, when other racers pass me during a triathlon, it messes with my head and I start feeling like everyone will pass me. How can I maintain my cool when I am passed by other racers? This is a common concern for many triathletes... "Being caught" or "being passed" during a race can have a profound … [Read more...] about Staying Calm When You’re Passed by Other Racers
How to Overcome Adversity in Sports
Developing A Winning Mindset to Overcome Adversity Which of the following statements is more indicative of who you are as an athlete? When the going gets tough, I get excited... Or when the going gets tough, I feel defeated? The attitude you adopt or the mindset you choose is the ultimate determining factor as to how well you face adversity as an athlete... and you WILL face some adversity … [Read more...] about How to Overcome Adversity in Sports