Top 7 Confidence Killers for Athletes

I talk to many concerned sports parents stating that their kids struggle with confidence and self-doubt…

Sports, at any level, is a game of confidence. The more confident athletes often rise above the competition.

What are the Top 7 Confidence Killers in sports?

#1. Negative self-talk - Never say something to yourself that you wouldn't want a coach to say to you.
#2. Thinking success is luck and not ability - Nothing is handed to you, everything you accomplish is earned by what you put into it.
#3. Strict expectations about performance - Nobody is perfect. Just try to be a little better every day.
#4. Self-doubt about one’s ability - Competition is won first in your mind; therefore you have to truly believe you have the mental & physical ability to out perform the competition
#5. Focusing too much on mistakes - You can't undo the past... just learn from them and move on. Mistakes are your stepping stones for success.
#6. Making comparisons to other athletes - You only have the power to control you & only you! Believe in yourself and everything else will fall into place.
#7. Overly critical coaches or parents - Most of the time this comes from them trying motivate you to perform up to the level that they know you can be at, even though criticizing isn't the best method. If someone criticizes you, turn on your "filter" and let it go in one ear & out the other and interpret it as "come on, I know you can do better than this!" You need a positive support system. Talk to them once everything has cooled down and let them know how you feel about the situation so they see your point of view.