Humans naturally seek mental rest.Staying focused and maintaining high intensity throughout a game is tough. Athletes should develop the skill of noticing when their mind starts to "rest" or wander, so they can snap back into focus and avoid mentally disconnecting from the game.
The brain operates in a ‘toward’ or ‘away’ mode.It's difficult to stay positive and proactive during play. Athletes can benefit from recognising feelings of hesitation or uncertainty, and learning how to push through them to maintain an aggressive, "go toward" mindset in competitive situations.
Humans are wired to react to threats and rewards.Staying focused on the task, without being distracted by what feels like a threat or reward, is a challenge. Players should practice using specific, controllable focus cues during competition to help them stay on track, no matter the pressure.
Our attention shifts between internal and external distractions.Maintaining the right focus as the game progresses is hard. Athletes should learn to recognise when their attention is shifting to unhelpful distractions or thoughts, and practice refocusing on what matters in the moment.
Humans constantly experience emotions.Being able to ignore distracting emotions or summon competitive energy when needed are both important skills. Players can work on this in training, practicing how to manage their emotions and channel them effectively when it's game time.
If you or your child need any help in developing a positive sports mindset, reach out for a free chat to see how we can elevate the performance.
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