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…
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 thought about the damaging power behind the phrase ‘to make matters worse’? The phrase “to make matters worse” further catastrophizes an adverse event. Many sports announcers use the phrase to describe an athlete’s or team’s worsening prospects or condition throughout a season. Many athletes are stuck in the habit of catastrophizing. They often highlight every … Sport Psychology Article…
How Confident are you When the Game is in Your Hands? Confidence is situational. An athlete’s confidence level can vary depending on their situation or circumstances. That is, you can feel confident in your ability to successfully perform in some circumstances and not others. For example, a basketball player may feel more confident when shooting free throws early … Sport Psychology Article…
What does “setting the standard” mean in sports? Setting a high standard refers to establishing a level of quality, expectation, or performance. Some teams set winning as the standard. Often, teams with a high expectation of winning adopt the credo, “Championship or Bust.” While winning may be the goal, defining success in those narrow terms is problematic. For … Sport Psychology Article…
How can you be a confident starter when you rarely start? Many athletes become highly anxious after their coach tells them they will start the next game when they have played minimal minutes. The fear of making mistakes or costing your team the game is overwhelming when you view yourself as the “weak link.” Imagine the following scenario. … Sport Psychology Article…