Play Confidently and Avoid Outcome Thinking How anxious do you become during stressful moments in competitions? Would you describe yourself as an anxious athlete? Anxiety doesn’t just happen in sports. Even in championship games, the event itself doesn’t cause anxiety. Why do so many athletes become anxious in competitions? Two reasons contribute to anxiety in
How to Use Pregame “Nerves” to your Advantage Many athletes have misconceptions about the effects of pregame “nerves” before competition sport. *Misconception 1: Elite athletes are NEVER nervous. *Misconception 2: It’s the total lack of nerves that cause elite athletes to be successful. *Misconception 3: Elite athletes are born with the capacity to remain 100
How to Stay Relaxed before a Competition “I feel like I’m going to be sick to my stomach.” Have you ever had this feeling prior to a competition? Have you ever been so anxious that you feel physically sick in the locker room before a game or competition? For some athletes, this feeling repeats itself
Are you Successful under Pressure? Each individual athlete responds to pressure in his/her own way. Kobe Bryant stated he played his best when the pressure was on, “Everything negative – pressure, challenges – are all an opportunity for me to rise.” Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr. implied he doesn’t feel pressure, “There is no pressure
How to Build Mental Toughness in Volleyball: “Set Me Again” Do you persevere in the face of adversity? Are you able to remain strong minded after a mistake? While on the court, do you push through whatever obstacles you meet? I was the type of player who wanted the ball, even after I made a
Using Positive Key Words to Overcome Nerves It can be so easy to think negatively going into a game, during a game, or even after a game… You may be scheduled to play against the team with the top outside in your conference, or you may have shanked two serve-receive passes in a row, or