How to Coach Mental Toughness

Mental toughness can enable an individual to perform at his best. Mentally tough individuals are disciplined, ambitious, driven, self-confident, mature, self-aware, calm, emotionally stable and hard-working. Mental toughness is something that certain people seem to have effortlessly, but others require coaching. Whether looking for mental toughness for team sports, individual sports or other life pursuits, knowing how to instill these characteristics in others is a valuable skill.

Instructions

    • 1

      Observe the people you are coaching, playing close attention to the hidden dynamics of the team. Set up team meetings to discuss issues the team may be dealing with. Mental toughness is achieved through understanding the problems of your team and helping them deal with them directly.

    • 2

      Create mental toughness within yourself. In order to teach it to others, you must have it yourself. Practice self-care, which means getting enough sleep, eating well and exercising.

    • 3

      Learn how to control and manage your emotions. Practice staying calm when you are upset. A big part of mental toughness is the ability to control emotions and express them appropriately. Demonstrate your control to your team, so members can model your behavior.

    • 4

      Teach your team to focus on the present moment. This means letting go of control over the outcome of the situation and instead doing the most possible with what is happening in the present moment. The team may win or lose, but by keeping the focus on the process in the present, mental clarity and toughness can be developed. Coach breathing as a technique for remaining calm, centered and in the moment. Take deep breaths yourself for practice.

    • 5

      Refrain from being critical as much as possible, as it can lead to lower self-esteem and confidence.

    • 6

      Create unity by developing slogans, cheers and chants for your team. Confidence is a big part of being mentally tough, and a team attitude helps with this.

    • 7

      Allow team members to make their own decisions. Do not tell the team exactly what to do, but rather allow the individual team members to make mistakes and learn from them. After a mistake is made, ask him what went wrong and what could have been done to improve the situation. This develops self-confidence and the ability to think independently.