{"id":4778,"date":"2016-01-21T18:24:26","date_gmt":"2016-01-21T18:24:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports_psychology_blog\/?p=4778"},"modified":"2025-06-10T07:37:51","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T11:37:51","slug":"be-mentally-prepared-when-coach-calls-you-to-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/be-mentally-prepared-when-coach-calls-you-to-play\/","title":{"rendered":"Be Mentally Prepared When Coach Calls You To Play"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/be-a-key-player.jpg\" alt=\"Be a Key Team Player\" class=\"wp-image-5584\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/be-a-key-player.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/be-a-key-player-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Be_A_Mentally_Tough_Athlete\"><\/span>Be A Mentally Tough Athlete<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Article Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/be-mentally-prepared-when-coach-calls-you-to-play\/#Be_A_Mentally_Tough_Athlete\" >Be A Mentally Tough Athlete<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/be-mentally-prepared-when-coach-calls-you-to-play\/#Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\" >Related Sports Psychology Articles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/be-mentally-prepared-when-coach-calls-you-to-play\/#The_Confident_Athlete\" >The Confident Athlete<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>The hardest position on any team is not being the main offensive weapon or defensive specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is not easy being a second-string player when you put in all those hours of training and practice but don\u2019t play come game time&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can be discouraging, frustrating and <strong>confidence<\/strong>-breaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many second-stringers give up because they do not see the immediate fruits of their labor&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They start buying into the notion that they are not as good as the starters. Their poor <strong>attitude<\/strong> can keep them on the bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You need to be <strong>mentally tough<\/strong>, work as hard as or harder than the starters, prove yourself in practice, be patient for your opportunity, be mentally sharp on the sidelines and ready to perform when your time comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being a second-stringer requires a unique <strong>mindset<\/strong> that keeps you positive, focused and ready to play at a moment\u2019s notice&#8211;and that&#8217;s harder than being a starter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cincinnati Bengal cornerback Darqueze Dennard knows firsthand how a <strong>positive mindset<\/strong> is needed when being a second-stringer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dennard was a 2014 first round draft pick who barely made it onto the field during football games in his rookie season due to the depth of the Bengal roster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dennard has found that being a reserve is a difficult and challenging transition going from a college star to the role as an NFL backup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>DENNARD<\/strong>: <em>\u201cYou get discouraged, especially when you\u2019re used to playing a lot, being \u2018the man\u2019 at your school and just coming into a position with a lot of depth and a lot of veteran guys who have played a lot of football at a very high level and being successful at this level as well.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dennard partially gave up due to the lack of playing time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>DENNARD<\/strong>: <em>\u201cI got frustrated last year. I gained weight. I started being lazy, wasn\u2019t taking care of myself.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dennard came into training camp this year with a more positive mindset. This season, Dennard committed to: practicing hard, being in game-shape throughout the season, studying how veterans make plays during the games and preparing for when his opportunities arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far, Dennard has made the most of his opportunities on the field by making key tackles and breaking up passes when he has replaced injured starters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember always that you are a part of the team and you can contribute in many ways, including pushing your teammates and making them better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stay positive, work hard, take advantage of every opportunity you get on the field, and prepare fully for when your chance to play comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip for Maximizing your Role on the Team:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, understand what you can control. You cannot control the decisions your coach makes but you can control your level of effort and focus. Commit to outworking your teammates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Second, ask your coach what you need to improve to help make a greater contribution to the team. This one question will let your coach know that you are willing to do whatever work necessary to help the team which could translate into more playing time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Circumstances change all the time in sports. You may be second string today but your opportunity might come tomorrow. You must be ready physically and, more importantly, mentally. Be <strong>mentally<\/strong> ready by staying focused on the moment, trusting your skills, and playing with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-979ef383-5bc7-43ee-b8f9-249663ca1a6c\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\"><\/span>Related Sports Psychology Articles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul id=\"block-05642731-8752-4dbf-9c18-5cc4d276e821\" class=\"wp-block-list has-normal-font-size\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/do-you-or-your-team-have-the-comeback-mindset\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/two-attributes-of-mentally-tough-athletes\/\"><strong>Two Attributes of Mentally Tough Athletes<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-grow-competition-confidence\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/mentally-tough-athletes-do-this-in-competition\/\"><strong>Mentally Tough Athletes Do This In Competition<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-preparation-boosts-confidence\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-athletes-can-be-mentally-tough\/\"><strong>How Athletes Can Be Mentally Tough<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-5726d13f-f715-4ca4-8813-2f8a9ebd8bc3\">*Subscribe to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sports-psychology-podcast-by-peaksports-com\/id152566009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0on iTunes<br>*Subscribe to <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0ynyaalKxbnNmsoeL8gF5X?si=8224669de9b3435b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/strong><\/a> on Spotify<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-281f5afb-980b-4c71-9aa0-11d606b5f7c9\"><strong>Download a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/mental-toughness-report-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free sports psychology report<\/a>&nbsp;to improve your mental game!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-94138e75-d591-4645-bb1d-212cf57a8841\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sport-psychology-training-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about our one-on-one mental game coaching.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Confident_Athlete\"><\/span>The Confident Athlete <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/confident-athlete-audio250.jpg\" alt=\"The Confident Athlete Audio\" class=\"wp-image-16347\" style=\"width:198px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Confident Athlete\u201d consists of 2 audio programs that include 14 days of confidence fueling exercises and a simple to follow workbook that guides you through the 14 days, helps you apply the strategies, and customizes the exercises to your personal needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me help you put a <strong>stop to the confidence leak<\/strong>. You can learn to have greater levels of confidence in competition than you do in practice by identifying the specific ways you undermine your own confidence and <strong>how to convert your practice confidence into COMPETITIVE CONFIDENCE<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Confident Athlete\u201d is a ground-breaking system to teach you how to think like a champion and have ultimate self-confidence every time you step on the playing field, court, track, or course. The confident athletes was <strong>developed for any athlete \u2013 junior to professional \u2013<\/strong>that wants to gain confidence. However, coaches and sports parents can learn how to teach others to perform with ultimate confidence. Use my program if you want to bust a slump or just wanting higher or more consistent levels of self-confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-0b39f7aa\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-a74417ae gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-confident-athlete-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-461ab57c gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/collections\/the-confident-athlete-series-digital-download\/products\/the-confident-athlete-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Be A Mentally Tough Athlete The hardest position on any team is not being the main offensive weapon or defensive specialist. It is not easy being a second-string player when you put in all those hours of training and practice but don\u2019t play come game time&#8230; It can be discouraging, frustrating and confidence-breaking. Many second-stringers give up because &#8230; <a title=\"Be Mentally Prepared When Coach Calls You To Play\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/be-mentally-prepared-when-coach-calls-you-to-play\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Be Mentally Prepared When Coach Calls You To Play\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5583,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142,40],"tags":[1017,283,284],"class_list":["post-4778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","category-mental-preparation","tag-cincinatti-bengal","tag-darqueze-dennard","tag-mentally-prepared"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.6.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cincinnati Bengal cornerback Darqueze Dennard knows firsthand how a positive mindset is needed when being a second-stringer. 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