Why is mental toughness important in sports

See the past as valuable informative lessons and nothing more — Mentally tough athletes learn from their mistakes and the mistakes of others, then the let go of the past and move forward.

Mentally tough athletes see the past as mental training for better performance in the future. Take risks — Mentally tough athletes understand that fear of failure prevents fully committing to and achieving excellence in their sport.

Mentally tough athletes seek out opportunities to move out of their comfort zone. Mentally tough athletes meet challenges with enthusiasm instead of dread and anxiety. Mentally tough athletes refuse to be average and understand they may miss the mark on occasions but it is worth taking the chance in order to achieve great things.

Remain persistent despite of failure —Mentally tough athletes are never defeated by failure. Mentally tough athletes understand that failure is another step in the journey towards accomplishment. Mentally tough athletes have the mindset that failure is not final and never quit pursuing their objectives.

Pursue excellence, not perfection — Mentally tough athletes have a goal but their focus is on the steps they need to take to get to that goal. Mentally tough athletes understand that optimal performance is a marathon, not a sprint. Each step along the way moves them closer toward the ultimate goal. They are not embarrassed by mistakes, do not try to be perfect, push themselves to the max and seek daily improvement.

Mentally tough athletes understand they will make mistakes along the way and these mistakes are both necessary and critical turning points in their journey towards excellence. They focus on themselves, their talents, improving themselves, implementing their game plan and achieving the goals they set for themselves.

In other words, talent can be over-rated. You can find thousands of talented athletes who never achieve greatness in their sport. Talent without mental toughness training can be average when it comes to consistent performance… But average talent with mental toughness makes good athletes accomplish great things. Create the habit of mental toughness — Find ways in training sessions to grow your mental toughness.

Look to uncover weaknesses in your mental game instead of shy away from them. Then, one by one improve your weaker parts of your mental game toughness. When you get tired, push on for five more minutes… Perform one more rep than you think you can… Respond to adversity with determination instead of frustration. Mental toughness comes down to your habits and your habits are up to you. Remember that mental toughness is about winning the small battles each day.

Battle and prove to yourself that you can tough out each challenge that you encounter on your way to reaching your goals. At just the right moment, I light the match. How will you add mental toughness training to fuel your game? How will you make it a daily habit? No matter ow positive you try to be, are you unable to shake the doubt that rushes into your head when you size up your competition?

Have you labeled yourself as a loser, poor closer, or mediocre athlete and these labels keep you stuck in a rut of self-pity and indecision? The Confident Athlete CD and workbook program is a day plan for ultimate self-confidence. This program is ideal for any athlete or coach that wants to discover proven confidence-boosting techniques guaranteed to drastically build self-confidence and improve sports performance.

Encourage them to visualize the process of success in their minds. Allow them to feel the rush of such an accomplishment. Once they can visualize that success in their minds, they will have an easier time overcoming mental blocks during competition. When athletes start to have their doubts, encourage them to have faith and stay mentally strong.

They have worked hard developing the skills necessary to enjoy success. Tell them to trust in their training, their teammates, and themselves to overcome any obstacle. Mental toughness comes with experience. The harder they push on the field, the better the results will be. As they start to realize the difference that persisting and staying mentally tough can make, their mental state will become more and more of an asset on the field.

Founded in , Ohio University is the ninth oldest public university in the United States. Located in Athens, Ohio, the school serves more than 35, students on the 1,acre campus, and online. This esteemed institution is ranked by numerous publications, such as The Princeton Review , U. Ohio University has a long-standing reputation for excellence based on the quality of its programs, faculty and alumni.

If you are a professional who strives to align with one of the best, you need look no further than the esteemed on-campus and online programs offered at Ohio University. Skip to main content. What is the Definition of Mental Toughness? Some notable athletes with mental toughness include: Michael Jordan, who has hit multiple game-winning shots under the most pressure-filled of situations. Serena Williams, the greatest female tennis player of all time, produces ace after ace down breakpoint or match point.

By studying photos of the course and using visualization techniques to imagine himself running the course many times before the race, Plaatjes was able to snatch the victory with just three minutes left to spare. The power of visualization, in athletic training especially, is mind blowing, and it is apparent how advantageous it can be when individuals use this technique correctly.

Using visualization correctly is obviously subjective, in that each individual thrives from different techniques. What works for Mark Plaatjes might not have exactly the same effects on someone else. Despite individual differences though, it is still important to visualize positive outcomes, while also remaining realistic and expecting the unexpected good or bad. Visualizations should be detailed and outline exactly what you want to achieve, keeping in mind room for error and changes in plans.

Lastly, remain confident and calm and hope for the best, even if the odds are against you. Remaining confident may seem straightforward, especially before a race or competition, but when the pressure and stakes are high, it is often harder than it seems. Self-talk strategies have been shown to increase confidence and improve mental toughness in various settings, from work to the court, track or field.

By reframing critiques, individuals can enhance their performance with motivational self-talk. It is important to note that self-talk is most effective when it is realistic.

As an athlete, everyone is working to be physically tough, but it is the mental toughness that gives those few elite athletes an edge.