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 game to the next level.
Many golfers visit golf pros or swing coaches to “perfect” their swing…
Baseball and softball players attend college camps or hit the cages regularly…
Tennis players will spend extra time on the court working their serve…
Lacrosse players will bring their sticks with them everywhere they go in case a brief opportunity arises to throw the ball around…
Soccer players look for pick-up games every day of the week.
Unfortunately, many of these athletes find themselves at the same level as they were during the previous year.
To these athletes, all those hours of off season work seemed to be a waste of time and they start the season mentally worn out and even more frustrated.
There is a more effective method to feel rejuvenated and motivated while being more prepared to make the jump to the next level.
First, the offseason should consist of being “off” for a part of the time.
You need to take some time to re-energize and the best way to do that is to take a break from your sport. You may feel a break will set you back a bit or allow other athletes to leave you behind.
Actually, the opposite is true. A slight break gives you time to recover mentally and physically from the long season, give you a better perspective on how to improve and help re-ignite that passion you have to compete.
A second method that helps you make the jump to the next level is the opportunity you have to work on your mental game.
During your off season, you can evaluate your season, set new goals and identify mental skills you want to improve.
With the competitive pressure off and minimal distractions, you can make steady progress towards strengthening your mental game.
University of Iowa cross country runner, Lindsay Welker, has a unique perspective on the off season, one that has helped her be mentally prepared each season as well as contributed to her success as an athlete.
WELKER: “The long season takes a toll on us. It’s meeting with the sports psychologist, regaining confidence, and doing things away from your sport to rejuvenate and get your mind right and love for the sport back during the non-competitive period.”
Your off season sets the stage for a fresh start to the new season.
So ask yourself these two important questions:
“How will I take advantage of my off season?”
“What can I do during the off season to strengthen my mental game?”
The most effective way to have a breakout season is to start the season both mentally refreshed and prepared.
Improve Your Mental Game in The Off Season:
Start by assessing your mental game strengths and weaknesses…
- What aspects of your mental game hurt your performance during the year?
- Did you lack confidence?
- Did you get too anxious before competitions?
- Did you find that you lost your focus at certain times during competition?
Here are five options to help you improve your mental toughness for sports:
- Contact us to get a short one-page test to identify weaknesses in your mental game. Email monique@peaksports.com for the one-page test.
- You can also read sports psychology articles on my blog about how to improve your mental game: Sports Psychology Blog
- Subscribe to my YouTube videos: Mindset For Sports
- Contact us about personal mental game coaching: Contact Us
- Improve your mental game with one of our audio and workbook programs, such as “The Confident Athlete.”
Learn Mental Game Strategies to Boost Your Confidence in Sports!
Learn Mental Game Strategies to Boost Your Confidence in Sports!If you’re an athlete who struggles with self-doubt, loses confidence, or cant take “practice confidence” to competition, The Confident Athlete is for you!
Self-confidence is what separates champion athletes from the rest of the competitors…
You can tap into my knowledge and experience to learn how to bring ultimate confidence to competition!
The Confident Athlete CD and workbook program consists of 2 audio CD’s 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.
Remember, confidence is a choice you make. You have to make a conscious effort to proactively seek confidence building thoughts and behaviors. Confident Athletes are proactive when it comes to confidence!
Learn more about one of our most popular CD programs in The Confident Athlete Series…
The Confident Athlete: A 14-Day Plan For Ultimate Self-Confidence
Take control of your mindset and performance today!
What are mental game customers saying about our confidence boosting program?
“The books/CD’s in ‘The Confident Athlete’ are very good. My swimmer has responded very favorably to them, in fact, her father purchased all three programs. You have done a great job consolidating and simplifying the myriad of ideas in sports psychology.”
~Nick Baker, Peak Performance Swim Camp
“I first purchased The Confident Athlete to see how the program went and immediately saw results. I then purchased the rest of the confident athlete series and have noticed a dramatic improvement in my level of play or should I say consistency. I currently play NCAA Division 1 baseball for Lamar University, and even my coaches have noticed a change in the way that I approach the game. My attitude and confidence at the plate.”
~Tylor Prudhomme
(Listen to his success story)
“My son finished the entire Confident Athlete Program. The CD Program helped TREMENDOUSLY. He used it to keep positive thoughts flowing. He was able to focus on his fight instead of on his negative thoughts. He fought at his very best. We are thankful to God for leading us to your web site. The CONFIDENT ATHLETE was perfect.”
~Wanda, Sports Parent
“I enjoyed ‘The Confident Athlete’ very much. I particularly liked the format, the ease of the program, and the 2 CDs that accompanied the workbook – 10-20 minutes a day was simple to adhere to and put in my busy schedule. I love the part about confidence with grace, and what I want to portray and feel the minute I step foot into Los Angeles for nationals. I love the affirmations, the relaxation techniques, and just the entire perspective of the program.”
~Sarah, US National Aerobic Gymnastics Team
Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with personal coaching.
You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
What are our mental coaching students saying?
“It was amazing!!! Before the show, I really felt like I was becoming the part. I was oddly calm, which concerned me because I thought my nerves might kick in on stage! But, they didn’t! I stayed focused in each moment, and remained calm, and actually did the difficult tricks better than I ever have! My coaches were all so proud of me and the one who I know the best was marveling at my calm, poised manner throughout the ballet. They said it seemed like I was doing it for the 15th time, I looked so comfortable. This is the result of my work with you! You gave me the tools to tackle this huge mountain of a role, step by step! I am beyond happy!”
~Professional Ballerina
“I wanted to say that your program is one of the contributing factors that has helped Michelle improve her hitting. Last week she had the most relaxed, confident games at bat ever! The mental exercises have started to make things click. The mental program is something she can practice in other facets of life. I am pleased that we decided to invest in your program: the results are showing.”
~Jim Ellis, Michelle’s father
“I am a Brazilian coach in Tempe, AZ. I am the vice-president of the Arizona State Brazillian Jiujitsue Federation, long story short, I would like to say that you have a great program; you have been able to help me and my competitors. My fiancee, Kristina Barlaan, who just won two medals at the 2012 World Championship has also mentioned your program as a big help.”
~Gustavo Dantas, Coach
“I felt the time spent in your seminar was very well organized. The topics were great and you had the coaches communicating in an open atmosphere. Thanks again for your time and effort and I look forward to talking with you in the future.”
~Coach Dave Wannstedt, Miami Dolphins