One of the most common problems among younger athletes is the inability to transfer everything they demonstrate during practice into a competition setting. One of the reasons behind this problem is the fear of failure and self-doubt regarding their abilities. This frequently occurs in children who have only been playing sports for a short time, but also in those who have spent a longer period “on the bench.” In these situations, athletes often experience a lack of self-confidence and begin to question their skills. Such athletes often have thoughts swirling in their heads like: “Am I good enough? What if I mess up? Can I do this? What will others think if I make a mistake?”
Why Can I Do It at Practice but Not in a Competition?
At practice, athletes have a safe environment where they know that mistakes are normal and that making an error won’t harm anyone. Practices exist precisely for correcting mistakes and learning new things, whereas during competitions, peak performance is usually expected. When looking at team sports, this often leads to feelings of guilt and negative thoughts such as: “If I make a mistake, I will let the whole team down.” Even in individual sports, we can observe that athletes think they have disappointed their coaches, parents, and everyone else who supported them.
How Can Coaches Approach These Athletes?
The first thing you can do as a coach is to explain to your athletes that mistakes are inevitable and that everyone makes them; you can even take well-known athletes or your athlete’s idols and provide concrete examples. Furthermore, mistakes are something to learn from. Every time an athlete makes a mistake, ask them what they learned from it and what they would do differently next time. Be careful not to use punishments if an athlete makes a mistake out of a lack of knowledge. Sometimes, ask yourself: “Am I just assuming the athlete already knows this?” Show them again, step by step if necessary. In doing so, make sure the instructions you give are clear and unambiguous. Acquiring a skill takes time, but it will take even longer if the athlete doesn’t understand what to do or if they are afraid of making a mistake.
How to Foster an Athlete’s Self-Confidence?
These athletes often experience a major drop in self-confidence. During practices, such athletes should be guided to focus on engagement—meaning the amount of effort they put into everything they do. Whether you are giving feedback or praise, focus on the effort, not just the outcome. For insecure athletes, praise their strengths while working on the areas where they struggle. Another thing you can actively encourage is mutual support among team members. This applies whether it is a team sport (a larger team) or if the “team” consists of you, your athlete, and their parents. Find out how to build self-confidence in athletes by clicking on the article.
Key Takeaways to Remember:
- Guide athletes to focus on their effort.
- Explain to them that mistakes are for learning and that no one will penalize them for making them.
- Give clear and simple instructions.
- Be their support system.
Stick to these few guidelines and you will see changes. For even more tips, sign up for our coach education sessions or contact us via email.
