Exploring the Psychological Side of Sports

There are 10 seconds left on the shot clock in the third period. The game is tied 2-2. One of your athletes has possession of the puck and winds up to attempt a game-winning slapshot. However, the goalie deflects the shot, sending the game into overtime.

Rather than your athlete exhibiting the motivation and confidence needed to go into overtime, they begin showing signs of severe frustration. You catch them saying, “We lost the game because of my lack of ability,” and “This is all my fault.”

As a coach, you might be asking yourself, “What can I do to help my athlete overcome this mental obstacle?” To explore scenarios like this, we sit down with mental toughness coach Shawnee Harle. We discuss the mental aspect of sports, and Shawnee shares some practical strategies for coaches can help their athletes maintain a positive mindset.

1. What are some common mental obstacles athletes are faced with?

Problems: A common mental obstacle athletes face is nerves and pressure to perform, especially in big games or pivotal moments. 

Solutions: Nerves and pressure are caused by giving attention to things we can’t control. If we could control them, we wouldn’t feel nerves or pressure.

A game’s outcome, making mistakes, and missing a shot are all examples of events that are out of an athlete’s control. Mental Toughness means they shift their attention. They dial in on the process, actions, and thoughts that are in their control.

2. How does an athlete’s mental state affect their performance?

An athlete’s mental state affects their performance every day. I have a client who couldn’t “get out of his head” about missing shots. Every time he missed, he stayed in the problem and went right to negative self-talk. And we all know that negative self-talk decreases performance.

So, I challenged him to become a problem solver. Every time he missed, I told him to say, “That’s ok,” and then give himself a coaching tip that would increase his chance of making the next shot.  Examples included: “That’s ok, shoot higher next time” or “That’s okay, be shot ready next time.” 

3. How can coaches support their athletes’ mental well-being?

The most important support is psychological safety. Create an environment where athletes feel safe to make mistakes, take risks, try new things, and get out of their comfort zone—without the fear of punishment if things don’t go as planned.

Fear decreases performance; courage increases it. So ask yourself, “Does my practice and competition environment instill fear or courage in my athletes?”

About The Author

Shawnee Harle is a 2X Olympian and mental toughness coach. With 30 years of elite coaching and leadership experience, she is well-versed in giving athletes the tools they need to understand what’s going on inside their head and heart.

For more information, visit: https://www.shawneeharle.com/