Helping Athletes Let Go of Mistakes

In this week’s sports psychology podcast, mental game of sports expert Dr. Patrick Cohn talks with Dr. Megan.

Dr. Megan is new at Peak Performance Sports. She is the lead mental coach specializing in working with youth and high school athletes in various sports.

In this podcast, they will answer a question a reader:

“How do you help players cope with mistakes and keep their head in the game so they can continute to play confidently?”

COHN: We know that athletes tend to unravel and have challenges with mistakes, especially young athletes. They tend to beat themselves up and be self-critical.

COHN: Perfectionist athletes are the ones that really struggle with mistakes…

MEGAN: Perfectionists, like those I’ve coached, have very high expectations and they are very self-critical of the way that they play and what they do during performance.

COHN: What happens to them mentally after they make mistakes? What are the challenges associated with post mistakes?

COHN: Do they get frustrated? Do they over analyze? Do they start critiquing? Do they look at coach?

What happens then?

MEGAN: I see all of those things that go with a perfectionist and whey they make mistakes.

COHN: This is the number 1 complaint from parents about how kids tend to struggle and check out. This is a major challenge, especially with young athletes.

COHN: Perfectionists need to understand that they are not going to be perfect and they ARE going to make mistakes.

How do we help these athletes be able to let go of mistakes so they don’t check out and tank and get pulled out of the game, but they are still effective and contribute to the team?

Listen to this week’s podcast to learn what mental game tips Dr. Cohn and Dr. Megan give to athletes about how they can cope with mistakes and keep their head in the game:

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Boost Your Self-Confidence With Expert Mental Game Coaching!

Expert mental game coach Dr. Megan Melchiorre can help you overcome your volleyball mental game issues with personal coaching.

You can work with Dr. Megan Melchiorre herself 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!

Dr. Megan Melchiorre is a mental game coach specializing in volleyball and is the newest member of the Peak Performance Team starting in office May, 2018. She competed collegiality in volleyball and coaches club volleyball teams.

You can learn more about our mental coaching programs for volleyball players here.