Athletes Want to Compete, Play, or Start But what happens when the athlete is benched or replaced in the starting lineup? Your attitude towards the situation will impact your response, motivation, and the message you send to your team. If you act out or talk poorly about your coach, you will cause tension within the team. Your effort … Sport Psychology Article…
What is the “It Factor” That Pushes Athletes? Athletes who triumph over their circumstances often do so because they refuse to see the odds as stacked against them. If you acknowledge something as impossible, you won’t work to make your dream a reality. For example, if a baseball pitcher thought it was impossible to become a starter, would … Sport Psychology Article…
Do You Have a Short Memory for Mistakes? “Memory” refers to the length of time an athlete dwells on mistakes. Some athletes have difficulty overcoming mistakes during a competition. They think about the mistake repeatedly, replaying the error in their mind. The mistake becomes a distraction, taking the focus off performing in the present moment. When an athlete’s … Sport Psychology Article…
Focus on Mistakes to Learn From Them There is a fine line between recognizing and dwelling on mistakes. You need to be able to identify miscues or missed opportunities from a competition to learn from them. The key is how long you think about those mistakes. Let’s look at the following scenario. Bob G. is a freshman collegiate … Sport Psychology Article…
How To Define Your Athletic Success Often, athletes allow other people (with good intentions) to define success for them. For example, your parents may see success as earning a college scholarship, becoming a starter, or competing for a highly competitive team. Likewise, your coach may see success as you achieving a national cut, having a top ranking, winning … Sport Psychology Article…
Have You Ever Had a Team Conflict? Team conflict can affect how you feel about your team, how much you enjoy your sport, and how intensely you pursue your goals. Not only does conflict affect you, but it can also create tension with your teammates, coaches, family, and friends outside of sport. Can you relate to the following … Sport Psychology Article…