Sport Psychology Tips

Sports psychology is important to help athletes improve their performance. An athlete can be extremely gifted physically, but that doesn't matter much without a strong mental constitution. Developing mental toughness can be accomplished with the use of sports psychology techniques.

  1. Imagery

    • Positive imagery starts with developing the ideal situation for you as an athlete. An example would be throwing a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Being specific with what you want helps you create mental repetition that will lead to physical translation. You can do mental imagery as long as you have a few minutes to concentrate without interruption. A great technique is to visualize a favorite player who you have seen accomplish this. Imagine what they look like in a detailed mental picture. When using your own image in the athletic scenario requires that you add as many sensory components as possible. Try to feel the ball in your hand and the ground under your feet. Hear the crowd and taste the saltiness of the sweat dripping down your face. The more complete your mental image is, the more effective it will be.

    Routines

    • Routines help reduce anxiety, and every player can develop a routine. Batters adjust wristbands, helmets, swipe the dirt in front of them and swing a certain amount of times. They do this deliberately and consciously to create a sense of normality. Tennis players take a deep breath, probe the strings on their racket and walk a certain pattern behind the court. They play out one or two likely scenarios such as, "if she serves to the forehand, return down the line, but to the backhand go cross court." They have set the goal for the next event, they stop thinking and they allow all the practice to allow them to perform.

    Convert the Bad

    • Athletes experience moments they wish they could take back. Throwing an interception, dropping a pop fly, missing an easy lay-up or putt. Great athletes are able to put bad events behind them. One effective method is to instantly replay the event with a different outcome. This is a derivative of imagery that is done in the heat of competition. It must be done quickly and before your routine. Replay the scenario with the desired outcome and then move right into your routine to relax and prepare for the next play. Great athletes don't dwell on mistakes, but they do try to avoid making those same mistakes again.