Fear of Failure in Sports: 3 steps to overcome fear in sports

Summary

In this video, mental game coach Eli Straw shares three powerful tools to help athletes overcome the fear of failure in sports. Drawing from his experience in baseball, he explains that fear of failure can hold athletes back from performing at their best. The tools include: 1) Self-talk to boost confidence, 2) Visualization to mentally rehearse success, and 3) Goal setting with achievable performance objectives. By applying these techniques, athletes can manage fear, build confidence, and improve performance, ultimately helping them reach their full potential on the field.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fear of failure can hold athletes back, causing them to play timidly and below their potential.
• 😀 Self-talk is a powerful tool to manage fear and build confidence. Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations.
• 😀 Thoughts like 'I hope I don’t make a mistake' create fear. Instead, tell yourself 'I trust my training' to promote confidence.
• 😀 Visualization helps athletes mentally rehearse success in situations they fear, increasing confidence in real-life performance.
• 😀 To use visualization effectively, focus on specific moments where fear shows up, like a free throw in basketball or a pitch in baseball.
• 😀 Goal setting with achievable, controllable objectives allows athletes to focus on the process, not just the outcome.
• 😀 Performance objectives should be specific and simple, like staying balanced during a pitch, which keeps the mind focused and reduces fear.
• 😀 The key to overcoming fear is to accept it, rather than resisting it. Acknowledge your fear and use mental tools to manage it.
• 😀 Positive self-talk and visualization together create a stronger mental game, reducing anxiety and helping athletes perform at their best.
• 😀 Success in sports isn’t just about winning, but also about focusing on the controllable aspects of performance, such as technique and mindset.
• 😀 Regularly practicing mental tools like self-talk, visualization, and goal setting builds long-term confidence and resilience in athletes.

Q & A

What is the main issue athletes face when dealing with the fear of failure?

Athletes fear failure because sports are performance-driven, and they worry that making a mistake will indicate they are not good enough. This fear can cause them to play timidly and below their potential.

Why does the fear of failure often result in poor performance?

Fear of failure can cause athletes to play with hesitation, making them tighten up or hold back. This leads to playing below their true potential because their focus shifts from performing well to avoiding mistakes.

What is the first tool discussed to combat fear of failure in sports?

The first tool is self-talk. Athletes are encouraged to replace fear-based thoughts with positive affirmations that boost their confidence and focus on their abilities.

How does self-talk impact an athlete's performance?

Self-talk influences an athlete's mindset. By shifting from negative thoughts like 'I hope I don’t mess up' to positive ones like 'I am a great player,' athletes can reduce anxiety and perform with greater confidence.

What is the second tool for overcoming the fear of failure?

The second tool is visualization. Athletes use mental imagery to envision themselves succeeding in specific situations, which can increase confidence and reduce fear.

How can visualization help an athlete perform better?

Visualization helps by allowing athletes to mentally rehearse successful performances, which makes the actual task feel more familiar and achievable, leading to greater confidence and reduced fear during real competition.

What kind of situations should athletes visualize for maximum effect?

Athletes should visualize the specific situations in which they feel the most fear, such as making a free throw, hitting a baseball, or serving in tennis. By seeing themselves succeed in these situations, they can alleviate their anxiety.

What is the third tool recommended to manage fear of failure?

The third tool is goal setting, specifically setting performance objectives that are fully within the athlete's control. This focus shifts attention from the outcome to the process.

How does setting performance objectives help an athlete manage fear?

Performance objectives help athletes concentrate on actions they can control, such as maintaining proper form or focusing on balance. This takes the pressure off the result and fosters a sense of achievement when these smaller goals are met.

Why are performance objectives important for athletes struggling with fear of failure?

Performance objectives are important because they provide athletes with a clear, actionable focus during the game. Achieving these objectives helps build confidence and provides a sense of success, regardless of the overall outcome of the game.