The Underdog Mindset in Sports The definition of underdog is a team or individual that has a small chance of winning a competition. Here are a few examples when you may be considered the underdog: Playing against an undefeated team this seasonCompeting against higher ranked or seeded opponentPlaying against a team that you have never beatenCompeting against physically stronger or faster … [Read more...]
Drought or Slump? Getting Back on Track
Maintain Confidence during a Performance Drought A drought or a slump… that is the question. The distinction between these two terms will determine how quickly you break through when you are not having your best athletic performances. When athletes label a couple of bad performances as a “slump,” they imply that it as a long-lasting problem. These athletes enter a competition with the … [Read more...]
Mental Game & Confidence in Basketball
Do You Struggle With Confidence After a Bad Warmup? 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. Do you struggle early in the game … [Read more...]
Figure Skating Practice, Preparation, and Confidence
Mental Preparation in Figure Skating Every skater has heard the phrase, "Practice makes perfect." In reality, mostly all skaters have some degree of doubt regarding this mentality. The ultimate truth of the matter is that "practice makes preparation." For example, if you practice landing a clean salchow jump 20 times in practice, 5 days a week, that is 100 practice jumps over the course of a … [Read more...]
How to Not Be Over Confident in Competition
Do You Underestimate Your Opponents? Have you ever entered a competition where you were the overwhelming favorite to win and just tanked? You can look to many examples in sports when top-ranked athletes or winning teams suffer an upset loss at the hands of a weaker opponent. Despite many cautionary tales, many top-ranked athletes still fall into the "under-estimation" trap when facing a … [Read more...]
Athletes Who Are Self-Critical
How to Grow Your Confidence Without Excessive Self-Criticism Are you happy with where you are with your game? Most athletes would answer "no" because they want to achieve more. After all, the goal of every athlete is to achieve as much of their athletic potential as possible. Some athletes think the best way to improve is to never be satisfied with a performance. These athletes engage … [Read more...]
How to Help Athletes Stay Aggressive
Helping Athletes Overcome The End of Game Pressure In this week's sports psychology podcast, mental game of sports expert Dr. Patrick Cohn talks with Dr. Megan Melchiorre. Dr. Megan is the newest member of the Peak Performance Sports team. She is the lead mental coach specializing in working with youth and high school athletes in various sports. Do you have teams that tend to get tight at … [Read more...]
Strive for Consistency, Not The Zone
How to Perform Consistently in Volleyball Have you ever performed in the "zone?" We're sure you've heard the "zone" hype and want to enter the zone? A reader recently asked the question: "How can you get yourself into the 'zone?'" You hear about the zone being this elated experience, where your performance feels almost effortless, like you’re on autopilot. What athlete wouldn’t want to … [Read more...]
If You Think You Can, You’re Likely to Succeed
How to Be a Confident Athlete Do you believe in your ability to perform? Are you confident as an athlete? Do you talk yourself into defeat or victory? The Ireland rugby team recently took Australia 2-1 in a Test series. Rob Herring, Ireland hooker, said belief was the key factor in his team’s success. "There’s a lot of belief in the squad and we’ve shown throughout the last year that we can … [Read more...]
How to Play More Confidently in Sports
Focusing on The Positives of Your Performance Have you been disappointed after a game because you lost, or thought you played poorly? Do you recognize your performance as either good or bad? Do you give yourself credit where credit is due? Australia lost to France on Saturday 2-1 in their World Cup opener. Though, the team seemed to have transformed from their pre-tournament … [Read more...]
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