Competition is a bigger stage for many athletes and that means bigger stakes. The bigger the stakes for athletes, the harder it is to keep emotions in check. Actors refer to this state of mind, that is, being able to perform during practice but stumbling during performance, as "stage
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Sports Psychology Tip
Coping with Distractions
Why do athletes with strong powers of concentration become distracted? First, no one is perfect. Even the best athletes in the world become distracted at times. Second, distractions or disruptions to the flow of play are a natural part of many sports. Concentration or focus is the ability to fully
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Help Set Appropriate Goals
Your child's ability to set goals is critical to success in both sports and life! When Tiger Woods was a young boy, he set out to break all of Jack Nicklaus's records. Tiger reminded himself of his dream every night. As sport parents you must help your child set appropriate goals.
But simply
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Are You a Composed Athlete?
The first characteristic of a composed athlete is the ability to remain calm, steadfast, or in control during crunch-time or competitive pressure. The composed athlete is a gamer or the person who thrives under competitive pressure, such as Tiger Woods when he has the lead in a golf tournament.
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Use Practice Time for Mental Training
Some athletes are reluctant to discuss their true feelings about the mental game in the team meetings. This may be because they feel embarrassed to share these thoughts in a group setting, or they may feel uncomfortable and hesitant to show weakness to you, the coach.
Use team meetings to discuss
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Giving Kids Feedback After Competition
What you say to your child after a game is critical to helping them process the game productively. Start by making two positive comments about your son or daughter's performance. Ask what your player did well today. You want your child to feel confident about some aspect of performance. Ask your
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Fear of Failure in Sports
Fear of failure is a massive source of stress or anxiety that sabotages your performance. Fear is an uncomfortable and often strong emotion caused by an awareness of danger or a threat. In sports, your fear is a psychological threat that is often based on worry or the importance of a performance or
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Myths About Mental Training
Mental training is only valuable if you believe it can help you perform your best. A few myths or attitudes prevent athletes from using mental training. Listed are the top three myths or attitudes that prevent athletes from embracing mental training:
1. Teammates or coach would think you are weak
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