The following post is an excerpt from Preparing for Pressure – my book to be released on August 20th. Click Here to pre-order your copy.
Over-confidence Vs Under-Confidence
“Under-confidence in match play is often a result of false-confidence in preparation.”
Let’s look deeper into a pre-tournament conversation with our friend Cocky Craig:
Frank: “Craig, Did you review your audio tapes/mental rehearsals?
Craig: “Nah…, I’m good.”
Frank: “Craig, Did you play your practice matches this week?
Craig: “I forgot to call-em in time, and they already had plans.”
Frank: “Craig, Did you do your off-court cardio routine?”
Craig: “No, I’m sore from last Mondays hit. I didn’t want to get injured.”
Craig: “Nah…, I’m good.”
Frank: “Craig, Did you play your practice matches this week?
Craig: “I forgot to call-em in time, and they already had plans.”
Frank: “Craig, Did you do your off-court cardio routine?”
Craig: “No, I’m sore from last Mondays hit. I didn’t want to get injured.”
Signs of Over-Confidence in Athletes:
- Avoids Pre-Match Preparation
- Avoids Off-Court Training
- Lacks Secondary Strokes
- Avoids Playing Sets
- Unrealistic Outcome Goals
Signs of Appropriate Confidence in Athletes:
- Grit
- Relaxed Breathing
- Millisecond Problem Solving Skills
- Perseverance
- Resiliency
- Determination
- Smiling
Signs of Under-Confidence in Athletes:
- Choking/Panicking
- Shallow/Heavy Breathing
- Impaired Memory
- Anger/Indifference
- Tight Muscle Contractions
- Impulsive-Irrational Decision Making
- Pessimism
Confidence fortifies… but overconfidence and
under-confidence destroys.
