Have you ever been on a team that lost its star player? Imagine how hard it was for the athlete who needed to fill in for that player. Whether it is for a game or the season, filling in for the top player on your team is a formidable task. Players rely heavily on their
Have you ever had a conflict with a coach or teammate that seemed to ruin your season? 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,
How can you take your game to the next level? Basketball players spend hours in the gym taking hundreds of shots. Football players hit the weight room and bench, squat, and dead lift to build physical strength. Golfers tweak their mechanics to find just the right swing. Extra practice and technique refinement help build an
What happens when the top dog is no longer the top dog? Many athletes have difficulty going from being one of the best on their team to a team where they are fighting for a roster spot or playing time. Transitioning from youth competition to high school, high school to college, or college to the
How often do worrisome thoughts affect how you perform, play, or compete? Do you tend to worry about letting your teammates down or having a bad game? Athletes who worry think too much about past poor performances or possible negative future results. Worrying about something that has yet to happen interferes with an athlete’s ability
How much do mistakes and losses affect you mentally? Are you still reliving a past game or a disappointing season? Nothing hurts performance quite as much as reliving mistakes, bad games, or unfortunate results. Focusing on yesterday or even the last minute interferes with your ability to pay attention to the present. When your attention