The best advantage any athlete can have is a great sense of self
confidence. That inner feeling of trusting your instincts and
skills will aid you more than any other factor when game time
rolls around. A self confident player can take the field, court,
or arena and be poised and prepared to play his or her best.
Just like athletic skill, self confidence must be practiced and
maintained.
A player cannot expect to immediately excel at a sport, so he
or she should also be prepared to complete activities that will
build his or her self confidence. Many coaches work in drills or
activities into their regular practices that will boost a
player's ability to trust his or her decisions in the event.
Self confidence is important in every sporting event or
activity, but it
seems more so in an individual sport rather
than a team sport. In team sports, you can rely on your fellow
teammates to assist with plays and boost your spirits if you
happen on a rough patch of play. Individual sports make players
focus within, requiring athletes to create internal motivation
that teammates would usually provide.
Additionally, athletes who compete in individual sports are
more likely to feel magnified effects from losing. In a team
sport, if an individual does poorly, the team can adjust their
strategy. However, in an individual sport, it is up to the
athlete to perform at top levels consistently. Regardless of the
sport or activity in which you are engaged, achieving and
maintaining your self confidence will enhance your performance.
If you are
part of a sports team, look for ways to build your
self confidence through building team confidence. For example,
your football team might be a leader in defense, but your
quarterback sacks help put them there. Your doubles tennis team
may be ranked in first place, partially thanks to your strong
serving ability and excellent back hand form. For every praise
of your team, find a way praise to yourself.
This may be difficult at first, since athletes are schooled in
the ways of teamwork, with the old adage "there is no I in
team," but your personal self confidence will boost the overall
performance of the team. However, it should be said there is a
fine line between self confident praising and boasting. Whereas
self confidence can enhance a team, boasting or arrogance can
destroy
it. Rifts form between teammates and you may find
yourself separated from your fellow athletes if your attitude
turns you into a braggart.
The best way to gain and maintain your athletic self confidence
is to practice whatever sport in which you are participating. It
does not matter if you are five or eight-five, practice will
reinforce you knowledge of the game and your confidence in your
performance.
When you know you can successfully execute a play or have truly
mastered a specific skill, your self confidence will grow. Learn
from your mistakes. Instead of beating yourself up over a
mistake, loss, or missed opportunity, find a way to better your
playing level. If you are having difficulty in one area of the
sport, focus on it during practice. Establish
a mindset that
positively reinforces your skills in order to build your self
confidence and do not allow yourself to think negative or harsh
thoughts regarding your performance.
The best athletes are not those individuals with the greatest
skill level--they are the ones who are truly confident in their
capacity in the game. Regardless of what sport you choose to
pursue, trusting your own judgments and skill level is a sure
fire way to be successful in the athletic area.
About the author:
Tony Robinson spent many years as a School Teacher and
Administrator. Always of concern was low self esteem and a lack
of confidence with some students. For more information visit
http://www.better-self-esteem.com
