Got a big game this weekend? Take the necessary steps today to focus and prepare yourself to perform at your highest level. John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach knew a few things about winning in high pressure, high stakes situations. Check out what he taught his players:
“Focus on what you can control: Your attitude, your effort, and your preparation.” – John Wooden
Sports require skill, physical conditioning, and mental preparation. Here are five ways you can prepare yourself mentally for any sport or competition:
1. Visualization: Visualizing success in your big game has been proven to increase performance. Spend time visualizing the way you want the game to go and imagine yourself succeeding in all aspects of it. This will help give you confidence and motivate you to do your best when competing.
“True champions aren’t always the ones that win, but those with the most guts.” – Mia Hamm
2. Make a Plan: Write out a set of goals that are specific and achievable, such as improving your free throw accuracy by 5%. Planning ahead will keep you focused on what is important and minimize distractions from outside sources.
3. Get Ample Sleep: Being well-rested before playing is essential for any athlete aiming for success. Give yourself plenty of time to rest up before the big game—it’ll help keep exhaustion and stress away!
“The more focused and concentrated you are, the easier it will be to stay calm and make better decisions.” – Stephen Curry
4. Practice Positive Self-Talk: Negative self-talk can be detrimental to an athletes’ performance; replace any negative thoughts with positive affirmations like “I am strong and capable” or “I have done my best today” which will lead to more successful outcomes during competitions.
5. Believe in Yourself: Having faith in your own abilities is one of the most important steps towards achieving success in all kinds of sports; keep reminding yourself that you’re capable of winning if you just believe in yourself and put in the necessary effort!
Put these five powerful steps into practice consistently and over time they will become who you are as a competitor. All the best this weekend! We believe in you! Get Sports Inspired at Play Strong Sports