Clipperton’s Mental Game
Have you been under-performing in competitions? Do you feel stuck and discouraged about your lack of improvement in your sport?
When you feel you are producing subpar performances, you are left feeling emotionally-drained discouraged and doubtful as to whether you have what it takes to make it in your sport.
What is the answer to this dilemma?
Well, most athletes return back to training sessions and repeat the same things that resulted in the subpar performance in the first place.
If you want a different result, you need to do something different… and that difference-maker can be found in mental training.
Up-and-coming jockey Sam Clipperton has credited his successful start this year to mental training.
After whip rule infringements cost him back-to-back suspensions, Clipperton sought the advice of a sport psychologist to help him be more disciplined and focused in his races. (The whip rule limits the use of a riding crop, or whip, and requires a pause to give the horse a chance to respond before using the crop again.)
CLIPPERTON: “I had a sports psychologist helping me there for a bit and she just gave me some tips… little tricks to try to break the [whip] habit. It seems to have paid off.”
Clipperton’s mental training decidedly paid dividends. Last season, Clipperton rode zero winners and, so far this season, has ridden the winners of 43 races.
Mental Training has improved Clipperton’s racing performance in a number of ways. Clipperton has learned to be patient, relaxed and not try to force races. Clipperton credits sport psychology for teaching him how to manage his emotions and let go of the things he cannot control.
CLIPPERTON: “I’ve probably been trying to make things happen a bit too quickly as well as trying to make things happen that I can’t necessarily control… We’re all hungry in the [jockeys’] room but being a young jockey trying to crack the big time I’m particularly hungry for success I’ve had to learn to take a step back and let things take their natural course.”
As you climb the ranks within your sport, you are going to compete against athletes just as talented as you… just as strong as you… and work just as hard as you.
It you want to compete and beat the elite, you need an edge over the competition… and mental training will give you that needed advantage.
Try this tip to improve your mental game:
The most important step in any training program is assessment. You need to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your mental game.
In what areas do you need improvement: confidence, focusing, game preparation, managing emotions, letting go of mistakes, getting the most out of your potential, etc.
Sport psychologists or Mental Game Coaches can help you improve your game with proven, effective strategies and gain that edge over the competition,
So take your game to the next level, search out advice from trained professionals in the field of sport psychology.
Related Sports Psychology Articles
- Do You Or Your Team Have The Comeback Mindset?
- How to Grow Competition Confidence
- How Preparation Boosts Confidence
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Mental Preparation for Equestrians
Why do so many riders fall short in competition and under perform compared to how they perform in the practice pen at home? Often, it’s because their minds get over-involved, anxious, or over-analytical…
To perform your absolute best in the ring, you must have trust in your practice and your horse. You must let go of over-coaching your horse (and yourself) and let it happen in the ring…Instead of trying harder and attempting to be perfect, you must simply do what you have trained in the practice pen at home. It’s that simple, but the mind wants to get in the way and MAKE SURE you have a great performance.