Over the years and after countless injuries, I’ve learned that it was more mental than it ever was physical. Don’t get me wrong, there is quite a bit of physical strength that goes into any sport. Mental toughness is a collection of attributes that allow a person to persevere through difficult circumstances (such as difficult training or difficult competitive situations in games) and emerge without losing confidence. Stress, fear of losing, distraction of a screaming crowd, or an agonizing knee injury are all things that could really mess with someone’s mental focus. Just like there are things that could “mess up” ones mental strength there are an abundant amount of things that can go into building one’s mental strength. I think it starts with confidence. But, how do you get confidence?
First step in confidence is goal setting. When you know where you want to go, you will have a better chance of actually getting there. Having success and reaching your goals builds one’s confidence. Before you can reach those goals you have to prepare. Preparation not only allows you to physically make yourself stronger but psychologically as well. Preparing allows you to push through barriers and as those barriers break down it allows for oneself to build confidence. If you study for a test you’ll be more confident when it comes time to take it. It’s the same thing for sports. When you’ve prepared and practiced over and over your confidence is building. When it is game time you know what you are suppose to do and how to do it.
I think another one to keep in mind is visualization. By seeing yourself succeed, even if it is just in your head, gives you a starting point and gives you confidence to actually do it. For example, before soccer games we lay on the ground eyes closed and visualize ourselves, and team members winning, scoring goals and defending. It helps tremendously. Because we have visualized ourselves doing it there is no surprise when we actually succeed. It gives us a sense of belief.
When I was reading an article from the University of Texas at Austin it stated that During a match, Tiger Woods doesn’t have to puzzle over how to make a particular swing and the mechanics of his arm movements he’s executed every single one of those physical moves before and could do all of them in his sleep. What he’s got to be able to do is allow his body to deliver the desired results. (1) Confidence once again is key. At this point Tiger has set goals to get where he is, prepared to get there and now all he has to do is visualize the ball going into the hole and believe in himself.
Reference
1. Don’t Even Think About It. (2008, November 24). Athlete’s mental toughness as important as physical strength, say sport psychologists. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from https://www.utexas.edu/
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