There’s nothing wrong with people who work on their mental game by consulting a sport psychologist or mental skills coach. Unless you think wanting to be your best is a problem! The mental game is about getting whatever edge you can on your competition! Because if you can play harder and better than them on even one play that could be the game changer. And if they are in better shape and are more mentally tough than you on that one play, then that could change the game for them.
That’s what it’s about!! Knowing your assignment and being able to do it better than your opponent more often! However, the only way you can do this is to work hard in practice, not only on the tactical elements and physical skills but especially on your attitude, ability to refocus and bounce back from mistakes. If you learn to do this you will play your best more often! The mental game is about being able to give your all not just on one play but on every play or possession. Its about developing the mental skills and mental toughness to commit to being and giving your best each play, each down, each possession no matter how tired or sore you are. So how do you do this?
It starts with your ATTITUDE and desire to be your best, to become great and then being willing to do the work requisite of greatness. Next you must develop AWARENESS of your thoughts and emotions especially when you’re struggling. Once you are conscious of them you can start to CONTROL them. Like I’ve said before “you can’t control your performance until you learn to control yourself!” Now you must come up with a PLAN, a set of strategies on how you are going to let those negative doubting thoughts and consuming emotions go. These strategies or mental tactics are just as important, if not more so, than the various moves a lineman in football works on developing so he can get passed his man to the QB. Or pitches that a pitcher develops as part of his arsenal to strike out the hitter. I suggest thinking about ways you can use parts of the game to your advantage like the time in the huddle, the lines on the field or court, your equipment etc to let go and move forward. Lastly you need to learn to TRUST yourself, your teammates and your preparation.
Remember, the mental game is about becoming your best! The mental game IS cool and fun and takes a lot of work just like everything else. Elevate your game and become your best by working on the mental side and get the mental edge!
SELF CONTROL! PLAN! TRUST!
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