Jeremy Thompson

Confidence in Sports

Confidence means.......you believe in your ability as well as your team’s ability to accomplish something. Accomplishment does not mean.....always winning. Winning is a by-product of the process…the process of working hard, working together, and working smartly.

Accomplishment means.......playing well, focusing throughout the entire game, preparing for the game, being ready to step into the game, executing the game strategy, communicating with your team and coach, being involved when you are on and off the field, and feeling like you gave it your all when the game is over.

Sometimes we play our best but lose; sometimes we play poorly and still win. Therefore, we need to evaluate ourselves based on our own level of play. To do this, ask yourself 4 questions after a game:

1. How did I (my team) PLAY? 3. What can I (my team) STILL WORK ON?
2. What did I (my team) DO WELL? 4. What did I (my team) LEARN?

To build confidence.....remember the things you do well and release (or throw away) the things you don’t do well. Replay (visualize) the good plays over and over in your mind. During a game.......trust yourself, trust your ability to do what you’ve done hundreds of times in practice. Take deep breaths to relax and talk positively to yourself. The following are some ways of doing this called positive affirmations:

1.      I can play well.
2.      I can play with any team.
3.      I will play my hardest.
4.      I will give maximum effort.
5.      I can win the ball.
6.      I can play good defense.
7.      I can make good passes.
8.      I can make great saves.
9.     My ball handling is good.
10.    I am mentally tough.
11.   I feel confident for the game.
12. I want the ball in pressure situations.
13.   I can finish.
14.   I can motivate my teammates to play better.
15.   I am positive in order to be confident.

The only pressure that occurs is the pressure that you put on yourself. You CAN control your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Decide to control yourself by thinking positive, feeling confident, and being positive and confident. When you step onto the field…let yourself play…react, talk, move, stay positive, work hard, and learn.