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How to Improve Confidence in Sports

Are you struggling to feel and play your best, finding it difficult to achieve the results you desire? If you answered yes, here are some tips on how to improve your confidence in sports and start playing with more power and belief in yourself! Confidence is a crucial aspect of any athlete’s game and can impact performance both on and off the field. I’m Coach Bea, and in today’s article, I will break down how you can improve your confidence in sports, share tips and tricks to enhance your confidence moving forward, and explain why building confidence is essential for long-term success.

 

Why Do I Lack Confidence in Sports?

Confidence is a skill, much like the technical skills athletes train in their sport. It takes time to develop, but once acquired, it can make or break your performance. Confidence is rooted in strong self-belief – believing in yourself and your abilities. At Elite, we call this the “I can do anything” state.

When the brain predicts success, it produces the emotion of confidence. However, when it anticipates failure, fear takes over. This fear becomes a barrier that prevents many athletes from performing at their best. The brain forms these predictions based on past experiences, using them as proof of whether a situation will go well or not.

For example:

  • If you’ve made a successful play in the past, your brain will predict success and boost your confidence.
  • If you’ve previously failed in a similar situation, your brain may trigger fear and self-doubt.

 

These experiences shape our self-beliefs, some of which can be limiting and hinder progress. The goal is to train the brain to focus on positive experiences and resilience, so even when you make a mistake – such as missing a pass or a shot – you can maintain a resourceful mindset rather than letting self-doubt take over. While some confidence-building happens during a performance, the real work begins in practice and off the field.

 

How to improve confidence in sports: tips and tricks

Here are some practical ways to boost your confidence, along with examples of how to implement them.
(Note: Repetition is key!)

1. Positive Self-Talk

Self-talk plays a significant role in athletic performance. The words you use shape how you feel, act, and believe in yourself. Positive self-talk helps reinforce confidence, while negative self-talk can diminish it.

Example:

  • Negative: “I suck. That pass was terrible, and I missed the open net.”
  • Positive: “Even though I missed that shot, I now know I have a blind spot to improve. If I practice, I’ll have a better chance at scoring next time.”

 

2. Set Realistic Goals

Goal-setting helps build confidence by providing clear, achievable targets. Instead of setting vague or unrealistic goals, break them into smaller, short-term objectives that contribute to long-term success.

Example:

  • Not specific enough: “I want to play in the NBA.”
  • Specific & attainable: “Playing in the NBA is my long-term goal. To get there, I will start by improving my dribbling, which is a current weakness.”

 

3. Visualization

Visualization is a powerful mental preparation tool. By imagining yourself successfully executing plays, you prime your brain to access a confident state during real performance.

Tips for Effective Visualization:

  • Be as specific as possible.
  • Engage all your senses.
  • Practice regularly (before games, after games, before practice).
  • Include challenges you might face and visualize yourself overcoming them.

 

4. Avoid Comparisons

Comparing yourself to others can lower confidence and shift focus away from personal growth. External validation plays a big role in an athlete’s performance, but relying on it can be detrimental. Instead, focus on your own progress and what you can control.

 

5. Learn from Failures

Failure is an opportunity for growth, not a reason for self-doubt. Since the brain relies on past experiences to predict success or failure, learning from mistakes helps rewire your mindset for confidence.

Example:

  • Instead of thinking, “I failed, so I’m not good enough,” reframe it to, “This mistake taught me what I need to improve. Next time, I’ll be better prepared.”

 

The Importance of Confidence in Sports

Confidence is a crucial skill in both sports and life. For athletes, it should function like a light switch, turned on at game time. A confident mindset grants access to 90% of your mental resources, enhancing performance and enjoyment. The following tips will help train your brain to enter a confident state, allowing you to perform at your best every time you step into game time mode

 

Personal Note

Confidence was something I struggled with as a competitive dancer. I often compared myself to others and feared failure. Over time, I learned these skills, but had I known them earlier, my confidence might have developed quicker, and I may have continued my dance career. This isn’t a lesson of “what if”, but rather proof that mastering confidence early in your career whether it be sports or real-life application, can shape your performance and well-being in all aspects.

I can confidently say that I believe in this process. If you apply these techniques, they will help you reach your full potential and achieve your goals.

And remember, you’ve got this 😉

 

Ready to Change the Way You Think?

If you’re ready to shift your mindset and approach performance with confidence, click to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. Let’s work together to build positive habits that help you perform at your best and feel proud every time you compete – win or lose.

Book a Free Consultation

If you’re an athlete facing performance struggles and want to enhance your mental game, check out the Brain Training for Athletes program

Brain Training for Athletes Program

See You in the Mental Gym!

Beatrice Hipolito

Coach Beatrice | Athletic Mindset Coach

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