The Importance of Having a Plan B ‘Expect the unexpected’ is a notion that is good in theory but rarely put into action by athletes. The unexpected happens all the time in competition but rarely are athletes prepared to deal with it. Many athletes train and practice expecting to perform under ideal conditions but, when things go slightly wrong, it can generate so much anxiety and ruin … [Read more...] about Anticipation and Mental Preparation
Mental Toughness in Sports
Finishing Strong When Losing
Mental Toughness for Sports: Grinding it Out What exactly is mental toughness? Mental toughness is being a competitor in all situations. Whether it’s playing with intensity when you come off the bench with a few minutes left with zero chance of winning the contest... Or focusing on nailing your routine when the winner has already been decided... Or continuing to fight the last … [Read more...] about Finishing Strong When Losing
How Adversity Can Improve Mental Toughness
How to Mentally Prepare For Adversity in Sports Have you ever planned for adversity? You may think this is an odd question but it is very important when it comes to sports. When athletes sit back and imagine their athletic careers, they envision clutch plays, great performances, big wins, high accolades, prestigious awards, personal records, right? While it is beneficial to set your … [Read more...] about How Adversity Can Improve Mental Toughness
Learning How to Win Ugly in Sports
Mental Strategies to Fight Through a Bad Game When you don't have your "A" game, you have to find another way to get the job done. Many athletes believe they need to being firing on all cylinders and have all the stars align in order to secure a victory. That is not always the case... Sometimes, scraping it out performing ugly can result in a win and, no matter the circumstances, a win is a … [Read more...] about Learning How to Win Ugly in Sports
How Mental Toughness Helps Athletes Cope with Adversity
Using Adversity to Improve Mental Toughness So much has been written about mental toughness... The need for athletes to be mentally tough and how it can help an athlete win the big game... How mental toughness can help an athlete overcome adversity... How mental toughness can get an athlete to the next level in their career. As an athlete, you have probably heard countless stories of … [Read more...] about How Mental Toughness Helps Athletes Cope with Adversity
How to Keep an Even Keel During Competition
Maintaining an Emotional Balance for Athletes It is not easy to control your emotions and maintain composure during a competition, although it’s extremely necessary if you are to continue developing your game... There are many things that can knock you off your game: A bad routine for a gymnast A slump for a baseball player A string of missed shots for a basketball player Losing … [Read more...] about How to Keep an Even Keel During Competition
How to Get The Most Out of Your Off Season
Improving Your Mental Game in The Off Season What do you do during your off season? Do you attend clinics, practice with private coaches, or spend hours and hours improving your fitness your own? Off-season is where many athletes seek to improve and try to gain an advantage over their competition. Many athletes will revamp their technique and focus even harder in an attempt to raise their … [Read more...] about How to Get The Most Out of Your Off Season
Two Big Problems That Hurt Mental Toughness
The Benefits of Having Mental Toughness Mental toughness is what separates the good from great. With mental toughness, you always have a fighting chance. Mental toughness gives you the confidence needed to keep pushing forward despite the competitive situation. The key component of mental toughness is the ability to focus on the challenge right in front of you. You see, athletes that lack … [Read more...] about Two Big Problems That Hurt Mental Toughness
The Mental Side of Coping With Injury
The Psychology of Sports Injury A sports injury is devastating for almost every athlete. Not only do you experience physical pain and the discomfort associated with rehab, but it can causes an emotional and mental impact on the athlete. What are the anxieties and fears when you are injured? These include: A loss of identity: Since you probably have competed in your sport from an early … [Read more...] about The Mental Side of Coping With Injury
How One Team Improves Mental Toughness
What is Mental Toughness in Sports? What is mental toughness in sports? How can it help you? Mental toughness is: the ability to cope with adversity keep your confidence high be focused stay composed in competition Mental toughness gives athletes the ability to perform to their highest potential under the most stressful conditions or important competitions. Unfortunately … [Read more...] about How One Team Improves Mental Toughness