Focus and concentration articles for athletes and performers to improve mental skills in sports
Does Having a Bad Game Mess with Your Emotions and Confidence? It may not be your performance that is problematic, but how you evaluate your performance. Most athletes give themselves a pass/ fail grade after a competition, usually based on statistics. For example, a basketball player records a double-double, she might view her performance as successful. Conversely, if … Sport Psychology Article…
What Happens When you Blow a Lead Late Have you ever had a competition where you imploded towards the end after having a comfortable lead? Performance meltdowns can have a deep imprint on an athlete’s mind, especially when victory seems imminent. Memories of these catastrophic losses create intense emotions that some athletes find difficult to move past. After … Sport Psychology Article…
You Season Can Still Be Turned Around After an underwhelming regular season, falling short of expectations, or being eliminated in the early rounds of a playoff series, most athletes can’t wait to go home and put the season behind them. It’s understandable to want a complete break for a while, since the season can be a grind. Many … Sport Psychology Article…
How to Deal with a Coach Yelling Nobody likes it when coaches yell at them. Coaches should treat their athletes with respect. Unfortunately, events don’t always unfold as we would like. Coaches who yell feel as if it is a wake-up call and the best way to deliver feedback or instructions. Most of these coaches have no idea … Sport Psychology Article…
How Does Self-Talk Affect Your Game? Too often, athletes are dismissive of self-talk. Either they think self-talk doesn’t really impact performance, or your self-talk is relatively unchangeable. However, language has a profound impact on athletes. Has a parent or coach ever told you, “You are not good enough?” Have you ever been labeled as “lazy”? Has an important … Sport Psychology Article…
What is the “Next-Man-Up” Mentality? The “next-man-up” mentality is a mindset that emphasizes preparedness, adaptability, and resilience, where every team member is ready to step in and perform at their best whenever called upon. The next-man-up approach is essential for long-term team success, especially when injuries, slumps, and unexpected circumstances can affect the lineup at any time. However, … Sport Psychology Article…