Some Athletes Are More Mentally Tough Than Others
A new school year is about to start and sports teams are gearing up for the current season. Coaches frequently have to deal with several important questions:
How to best prepare athletes and/or the team
How to avoid injuries
How to motivate athletes or teams
This article deals with the curious question: ‘Why are some athletes mentally stronger than others?” It is a valid but a most important question: “How does one teach younger athletes to be mentally strong?” There has been a lot of research on the subject, and some common traits seem to be identified.
Seven Aspects ‘mentally tough’ Athletes:
Coaches and Parents can facilitate and enhance the character traits:
Self-empowerment – These athletes do not rely on external feedback to feel good about themselves, which helps them to deal with defeat, a loss, or the number on the scoreboard with less of a shock.
Coaching Tip: Teach them a mantra to reinforce their control over their mood and attitude.
Adaptability – These athletes are able to ‘roll with changes and shift in the moment.’ This is especially important during gameplay situations.
Parent Tip: Get the child talking about his/her feelings, and help to change those feelings to process those feelings.
Strong Boundaries – Mentally tough athletes have learned the ‘know-how’ when having to deny or say “NO.” This is an important lifetime skill because pushing past the awkwardness and discomfort of disappointing someone is an important skill, and helps to avoid stress and anxiety.
Coaching Tip: Help athletes understand that there might be consequences to saying “YES” but also teach them ways to properly provide a denial or disagreement.
Accountability – Mentally strong athletes own up to their mistakes. That act of taking responsibility builds character.
Coaches Tip: Help athletes set up their environment to increase the likelihood of better choices, i.e., to make less desirable choices a little more difficult and better choices somewhat easier.
Cheer-leadership – Resilient athletes celebrate when others are successful. Avoiding negativity when others or peers succeed grows mental space to focus on winning their own race, competition, or game.
Coaching Tip: Have athletes brainstorm qualities they admire in others and encourage them to act as if they also possess these traits.
Commitment – Athletes with mental toughness keep trying even if they failed in the past because they learn lessons from their mistakes, and are able to actualize what doesn’t work to apply to the next try.
Coaching Tip: Remind athletes of people who failed initially with stories about athletes, who failed, and went on to win, and become even more successful.
Persistence – Mentally tough athletes are unstoppable. They don’t give up even when they want to and because it is difficult. They are able to adjust and deal with the situation or task.
Coaching Tip: Provide daily words of encouragement, and have them write letters or phrases to encourage themselves.
There are lots of ways we can help children and youth to get stronger as athletes and as people. However, knowing how to support youth athletes is an “art of communication.” Unless one has experienced or seen an excellent coach or parent in action, one just won't won’t know what it is all about. Coaching is more than just developing “human performance machines.” It is not only about the physical, technical, or strategic attributes… it is also about mental wellness and developing coping tools for sports and life.
Reference:
This article was modified from the original post: “Why is it that some kids seem more mentally strong than others?”
Sigl, C. (2023). Mental Toughness Trainer. Aldergrove, BC, Canada. Retrieved August 29, from info@mentaltoughnesstrainer.com and https://www.mentaltoughnesstrainer.com/