Tryouts Are About Being Mentally Strong

Tryouts Are About Being Mentally Strong

Written By: Shaun SmithAsk any champion athlete or respected coach how much of their success is mental, what would they say? Most top athletes and coaches know that success in sports is highly dependent on your mental game yet for a large majority of the population the mental game has been ignored. Athletes spend a large amount of time and money on having the best equipment, hiring respected coaches and on personal trainers to ensure physically and technically they are ready. Yet, these same athletes often fail to show up or "choke" during pressure situations. Think about the next couple of questions: Why do some athletes dig deep and play at their best level when the game is on the line or while evaluators are watching? How is it that some athletes are able to play well when its crunch time with only 2 minutes left in the game and the pressure is on them to produce? Being able to perform well during tryouts and throughout the season has a lot to do with your mental toughness or your ability to never give up faith in your game, your ability to control emotions, block out distractions and prepare for each tryout session so that you are ready to compete. By working on your mental game before tryouts you will ensure that you are successful during tryouts.
Many athletes I work with struggle with their mental game just at the time they need it the most. For many reasons, they lose confidence when the team depends on them to make a big play or make the last play in a close game. Some athletes tighten up. Some athletes try too hard. Other athletes are afraid to embarrass themselves and fear attempting to take a risk and make that key play late in the game or during tryouts. Think back to previous tryouts it is during tryouts, that athletes in every sport are expected to come to play and show their best when the pressure is on them. This is why many athletes that have ignored the mental game struggle during tryouts and often end up on a lower team then maybe they should be on.
When I think back to previous tryouts that I competed in the first thing that comes to mind is the extreme demands that are placed on athletes. Athletes are often competing for two or three positions. Not only are athletes competing for limited spots during many tryouts now they are being asked to complete additional dryland sessions to test their current athletic abilities, adding to the physical and mental demands of tryouts. Physical exhaustion, dehydration and sickness can lead to many athletes becoming mentally exhausted. Many athletes are placing high demands on their body as they prepare for tryouts, creating a perfect time to practice toughing it out.
So how do you tough it out when the going gets tough and you have to play well in the inner squad game at the end of a gruelling tryout. First, toughing it out means staying composed and not letting your opponent, who’s watching you or the arena conditions rattle you into negativity and frustration. Second, toughing it out means never giving up your confidence because you are behind or find yourself in a tough game. Third, toughing it out means you stay calm and in control when things aren't going your way. Golfers need to tough it out after a poor performance on the front nine. A baseball player might have to tough it out when he's exhausted physically and making uncharacteristic mistakes. A goalie needs to tough it out late in a game when he has not been playing at his best but has the chance to make that last second save to win the game. Playing sports is about battling and giving your team or yourself a chance to win even when you may not be feeling or performing at your best.
Here are five mental toughness tips to help you tough it out in a close competition or during tryouts:
1. You can't afford to get frustrated with mistakes or changes in momentum during the competition or tryouts. Your frustration can be a game changer and allow your opponents to run away with the game. Mental toughness is very much about composure and not letting adversity change your focus.
2. Never "throw in the towel" until the end of the game or match. I'm talking about your confidence and belief that you can get the job done in the closing moments. Fragile confidence is the worst enemy for athletes!
3. Forget about the consequences of winning or losing and stick to focusing your mind on the next play or shot, position of opposing players or the current arena or field conditions. Our minds are wired to think ahead about the consequences of the competition and what it means to you, which only causes tension and worry.
4. Have faith in your teammates to help the team come through and win. Don't give up on your teammate that just missed an empty net or failed to capitalize. Part of confidence is knowing your team is there to back you up when you need them the most.

5. Stay the course and stick to what's working. How many times have you seen an athlete change their game plan or strategy out of frustration that nothing is working? Keep using what got you into position to close the deal in the first place. Stay patient with what's working instead of "abandoning the ship."

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