From football to ballet, the mental game is the most important aspect of any sport. Yet many parents and coaches of young athletes are so focused on producing winning results that they overlook the need to teach children how to think.
How to train their minds for success.
How to master the mental game.
And only those who master the mental game can become true champions.
So what is the mental game?
The mental game is the internal competition that every athlete has to deal with. It is a competition between negative and positive thoughts. Between fear and courage. Between doubt and faith. Between distractions and concentration.
It is a competition between staying the same and stretching beyond personal boundaries.
The mind’s job is to protect. To preserve. To prevent change. Because change is in the realm of the unknown. And the unknown could be dangerous.
The athlete who understands how his mind works recognizes the negative thoughts that arise and replaces them with positive ones. He recognizes when fear is holding him back and works through his fear by acting with courage.
He recognizes the immobilizing feelings of doubt and forces himself to take faithful action. He recognizes distractions and defeats them by focusing on the task at hand.
In other words, he is aware of the constant conversation taking place in his mind. Learning to control the conversation is what the mental game is all about.
Will he step in the batter’s box to not strike out or to get a hit?
Will he pull up at the top of the key or drive the lane?
Will he sit on the sidelines wondering if he’s quick enough to win the race or will he run?
Will he think about the noisy crowd, the botched last play and his sore shoulder muscle or will he focus on passing the ball to his receiver?
Will he stay in his comfort zone or push himself to be a little better than he was the day before?
If an athlete learns to win the mental game on the field, he also learns to win the mental game off the field. And thus succeed in any endeavor.
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The athlete in me defines a champion as a person or team who wins. Who conquers the competition. Who is the best. At least that’s what I used to see. Until I made the transition from athlete to coach and from jogger to marathoner.
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