Debunking Sports Psychology Myths
Is your player afraid other athletes will see them as weak if they take part in mental training or work with a sports psychologist? Many athletes buy into myths about sports psychology and this prevents them from embracing the benefits of mental training. In the following article Dr. Patrick Cohn debunks the myths associated with sports psychology.
I recently received this email from a young hockey player getting ready for try-outs: “I have friends who perform better than me and they don’t read any mental training books. Every time I open my mental training book I feel no motivation to read because better athletes don’t do anything to mentally prepare themselves. I feel that I’m weak by being the only guy going to try-outs that reads mental training books. I have only heard of a few great athletes who take part in mental preparation.”
When I receive these emails, I am surprised that people still view mental training or sports psychology as a weakness and thus think they are inferior because they need this type of training. Unfortunately, a few athletes still buy into myths about sports psychology and thus shy away. This is an interesting and misguided perception about the value of sports psychology.
One of the hallmarks of great athletes is their interest in improving themselves. That doesn’t just apply to their physical skills; it applies to their mental game, as well. There is nothing weak, wimpy or sissy-like about being willing and eager to improve oneself and one’s performance.
I do think that some athletes are naturally more talented than others and confidence comes easily for them. Other athletes have to work harder in sports to keep up and they might not develop the self-assurance they need to be fully confident. In any case, athletes at all levels are using mental training and sports psychology to become better competitors–no matter if they are in a slump or trying to keep a winning streak alive.
I also know that athletes in some sports embrace sports psychology more than others. In golf, tennis, and baseball, for example, athletes accept mental training as another type of performance enhancement. In addition, many professional athletes attribute their success to mental toughness including golfer Tiger Woods, NASCAR driver Jeff Burton, and basketball player Michael Jordan. Soccer player Mia Hamm also once said, “The most important attribute a soccer player must have is mental toughness. Before you can win, you must have the will to prepare to win.”
If your athlete worries that others think mental training makes them weak, or what others think about their game, they are great candidates for mental training! With mental training, players can learn to “tune out” worries about what others think and focus on what’s most important—playing the game and performing their best.
Athletes are more likely to embrace mental training when they understand it and its’ benefits. However, the best way for athletes to buy into mental training is when they actually experience its’ power firsthand. Sports psychology or mental training helps athletes perform more consistently, find the zone more often, keep a winning streak alive and learn how to think well under pressure.
Editor’s Note: Thank you to Dr. Patrick Cohn for this great advice.
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Written by Shelly · Filed Under Player Development
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