The Importance of Self Confidence within athletics

The Importance of Self Confidence within athletics By Ryan Berube

Introduction - An individual’s positive or negative mental state has long been thought to play a crucial role in his or her ability to perform sport specific skills (Covassin,2005). - This ability either amplifies or decreases from his or her overall success or failures as an athlete (Covassin,2005).

Confidence • Self Confidence – The state or quality of being certain in oneself or one’s abilities. • Self confidence is one of the most frequently cited psychological factors thought to effect sport performance (Covassin,2005).

Confidence • Self Efficacy – Belief’s about an athletes capabilities to produce a desired effect. • High levels of self efficacy during competition- • Enthusiasm • Successful performance • High efficiency • Self confidence

(+)’s for Possessing Athletic Confidence • Enhances personal well being. • Acquire belief in themselves • Approach difficult tasks as a challenge. • Maintain strong commitment to goals.

(-)’s for Lacking Athletic Confidence • Doubt their capabilities • When faced with difficult tasks, they swell on their personal deficiencies • Give in more easily • Slower to recover from failures and setbacks • Easily fall victim to stress and depression

Ways to build Self Confidence • Self Talk • Be an actor • Mistakes happen • Trust yourself

Self Talk • There is a direct connection between how athletes think about things or how they talk to themselves during competition which can determine how well they will perform .

Negative Thoughts (self Talk) • When athletes judge themselves unfairly, evaluate performances in critical ways, or speak to themselves in negative ways, they are setting themselves up for negative outcomes and failure.

Don’t mess up Don’t let the coach down Don’t let the team down Your going to lose your position Negative Thoughts (Self Talk)

Positive thoughts(Self Talk) • Team/coach believes in you • Past successful experiences • Worked hard for your position

Be an Actor • Act in a confident manner • Takes mind off of anxiety • Helps visualize successful performance • Assists in building confidence

Mistakes Happen • Athletes can experience “off days.” • Don’t let a bad performance shatter an athletes self belief in their abilities

Trust Yourself • Athletes know themselves better than anyone else. • Don’t doubt your abilities, be confident • Don’t give up when things go wrong • Learn from mistakes

References - Bandura, A. Self Efficacy Defined. Retrieved April 5, 2006, from http://www.des.emory.edu/mfp/BanEncy.html. - California State University, Stanislaus Counseling Services. Building Self Trust. Retrieved April 6, 2006, from http://www.csustan.edu/counseling/buildingselftrust.html. • Covassin, T. (2005, Spring). The Relationship Between Self-Confidence, Mood State, And Anxiety Among Collegiate Tennis Players [Electronic version]. Journal of Sport Behavior, 27(3). • Psyched: Athletic Performance Enhancement (2001). Confidence: What Is It and How to Develop It. Retrieved April 3, 2006, from http://www.psychedonline.org/Articles/Vol1Iss4/Confidence.htm.

References Cont’d • Trupin, Robert(2006). Healthy Self-Esteem a Key To Athletic Success. Retrieved April 3, 2006, from http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?...&BRD=1632&PAG=461&dept_id=8233&rfi=6. • VT Hokies Sports (2006). Self-Confidence and Self-Talk. Retrieved April 3, 2006, from http://www.hokiesports.com.

The Importance of Self Confidence within athletics