How To Build Self-confidence In Sports

No matter what your sport, when it comes time to lay it all on the line in a game, meet or competition, all kinds of crazy thoughts can race through your head. If you let your inner voice convince you that you do not have what it takes to compete, then you lack confidence. Of course, you have to do all of the appropriate physical training and stay injury-free to excel, but without the necessary mental aspect of self-confidence, you may have defeated yourself before you start. The good news is that some easy ways to build your self-confidence can allow you to compete effectively.

Step 1

Open your notebook, uncap your pen and start writing down the exact goals you want to achieve in your next game or meet, and for the entire season. In "Unleash the Champion" by Denny Dicke, he suggests that your goals should be written in the past tense, as if they have already occurred. Be very specific on what you want to accomplish and set no limits on your achievements. He also says it is particularly important to express how much fun you will have in accomplishing your sports goals.

Step 2

See clearly exactly what it is you wish to accomplish. Dicke emphasizes that it is crucial to visualize your goals in your mind. Do not hold back as you do this visualization, as you need to imagine in high-definition everything happening exactly how you want it to happen. Dicke says that by doing this, once the time comes to perform on the field or the track, you will find that your mental conditioning has instilled confidence and an excited anticipation in you.

Step 3

Put three key elements--clarity, emotion and action--into your goal setting. By doing these three things, Dicke notes that they add to the attention factor your mind needs to be convinced that they are real. He says your mind wants to be told, shown and convinced that your athletic goals are powerful enough to get its attention.

Step 4

Practice performing rituals that are relevant to what you are doing during your sports performance. Run the same warm-up every time before you race. Bounce the tennis or basketball the same number of times routinely before you serve or shoot. Take 2.5 sips of the same sports drink during every break. These rituals have the effect of helping you to focus. Delete everything else out of your mind as you go about performing your sport. This focus and calmness help develop your self-confidence.

Step 5

Talk positively to yourself before and during your competition. In an article on developing sports self-confidence from Peak Performance, it's noted that you should practice four or five positive self-statements that you should repeat to yourself on a regular basis, especially upon awakening in the morning and before going to bed. These positive affirmations will then embed themselves in your mind and have an enormous impact on your performance and self-confidence.

Tips and Warnings

Realize that you are the one in control and no one else. It's only you out on the field or arena, and your self-confidence is your rudder that will guide you to a successful conclusion and the achievement of your goals.
Your inner voice that says, "You can't do that" or "You're no good at this" is something you need to block out of your mind and eliminate to build a foundation of self-confidence and success in your sport.