Confidence:Mental Strategies to Think Like a Champion

Protex Sports Flash Seminar

“A motto and philosophy I have really stressed is [SIC]:

you’ve got to believe in yourself. Self confidence is without a

doubt the first step to success”.

~ Tommy Lasorda, Baseball Manager, Hall of Fame

John Ellsworth, MA

Protex Sports

www.protexsports.com

Two Types of Confidence

The general belief in your ability as an athlete

Example: I am a solid tennis player and capable of competing at the

next level.

A specific belief in your ability to perform a task

Example: My cross court backhand is very one of my strongest

weapons.

“Our attitudes, belief systems, and thoughts create our reality”

Gary Mack – Mind Gym

What is Confidence?

When confidence is present:

…you believe, and trust in your ability to execute a

physical skill or perform a task.

“Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can do.”

- John Wooden

Critical Success Factors to a Confidence Foundation

-Past Experience-How would you describe your past experiences

with your sport?

-Prior Success-Can you identify periods of previous success?

-Write down on paper the 5 most recent success events

Three Sources of Confidence

Athletes Acquire Confidence from:• Practice

• From immediate past performance

• What others say about our performanceWhich of these three pertains to you?

Consistency is what counts. You have to do things over and over again.

- Hank Aaron

Six Steps to Improve Self Confidence

- Know what confidence is and what it is not.

- Know where it comes from and how you lose it.

- Know what is & what is not in your control.

- Be aware of doubts that sabotage confidence.

- Develop a “game plan” to counteract “doubt.”

- Introduce mental strategies to boost confidence

and eliminate doubt.

Taking Control of ConfidenceWhat Confidence is not!

• Confidence is not…

Doubt, Indecision, or Hesitation

• Confidence is…

Person-specific and Task-specific

If there is doubt in your mind…how can your muscles know what

they are expected to do?

- Harvey Penick

Enemies of ConfidenceWhat Confidence is Not!!

Four Categories of Self Limiting Beliefs

1. Doubt

2. Irrational or Unrealistic beliefs

3. Demands – Expectations - Perfectionism

4. Negative Self-Labels

Beliefs drive behaviors and self-limiting beliefs lead to self-defeating

behaviors. Believe in yourself and your abilities.

Five Elements to Build Strong Confidence

1. Recall the success you had in past similar situations.

2. Bring successful past strategies forward.

3. Recognize what else the current situation may require.

4. Focus positively on the required and desirable actions.

5. Trust in your physical and mental preparation.

Summary

- Confidence is a General Belief in Your Ability

- Self-Confidence Comes from Past Task Specific Success

- Trust in Self Comes From Confidence & Momentum

- Refute, Rebut, & Reframe Doubt

- No Expectations

- Set Achievable, Manageable, and Measurable Mini

Performance Objectives

- Believe You Can Succeed & You Will

- Trust you Can Achieve & Nothing Will Get in your Way

The Confident Athlete

Maintains a High Belief System in Physical Skills

Confident Athletes See Themselves as Winners

Confident Athletes Focus on Why They Will Succeed

Confident Athletes Use Positive Self-Talk

Confident Athletes Don’t Let Doubts Rule

Confident Athletes are Proactive

Confident Athletes Think, Feel, and Project Confidence

Confident Athletes Use the Past to Feel Confident Now

Confident Athletes Anticipate Success

Confident Athletes Prepare Strategies or Game Plans

Confident Athletes Anticipate Challenges & Prepare to Feel Confident

Confident Athletes Have Patience

Confident Athletes Don’t Pay Attention to Critics

Three Phases of Confidence Development

Focusing on strengths & maintain confident thoughts –

when challenged!

Ability to identify roadblocks that hold back confidence.

Incorporate Mental Game Tools to build confidence

What Makes the Confidence Flourish?

• Inventory your “recent” success in practice & competition.

• Make positive “affirmation” statements to yourself

• Expect Nothing, but prepare for Everything!

• Set Manageable, Achievable, and Measurable Mini goals or Performance Objectives

The whole idea is to get an edge. Sometimes it takes just a little extra something to get that edge, but you have to have it.

Ty Cobb

Six Levels of Confidence??

1. I hope I can hit this shot…

2. Maybe I can hit this shot…

3. I think I can hit this shot…

4. I believe I can hit this shot…

5. I know I can hit this shot…

6. I will hit this shot…