Whether you are sinking a free throw or making a putt, being unsure of your ability hurts your performance in a sport. Low confidence has many causes, such as fear of injury, negative feedback from coaches, a previous bad performance or the belief that an opponent is unbeatable. Most athletes suffer from low confidence at some point, but techniques that boost your confidence help you play better and have more fun.
Step 1
Visualize yourself succeeding in your sport. You can visualize while resting or as you compete in your sport. For example, imagine scoring a goal before you take a soccer penalty kick or envision getting a strike before you bowl.
Step 2
Repeat positive statements or mantras in your mind, such as "I can do this" or "It's just me and the basket." If your thoughts become negative, repeat your positive statements to halt your negative train of thought.
Step 3
Practice regularly. Success breeds confidence, and you'll feel more mentally prepared if you practice.
Step 4
Remind yourself of past times you have been successful at your sport. In addition, remind yourself of your strongest skills. For example, if your confidence is low because you're struggling to shoot three-pointers, remind yourself of other strengths, such as being a good defender or rebounding well.
Step 5
Approach your mistakes as opportunities to improve, not examples of failure. Don't expect to play perfectly, either; everyone makes mistakes.
Step 6
Ensure you are physically ready to play. If you are recovering from an injury or aren't in your best shape, you might not feel as confident. Talk to your doctor or trainer if you're concerned about getting hurt.
References
- "Inside Sport Psychology"; Costas Karageorghis, et al.; 2010
- Wright State University; Head Games -- The Use of Mental Rehearsal to Improve Performance; Dr. Scott Williams
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