How to build confidence leading up to tryouts
The week is finally here that has been anticipated since the end of the last season- tryout week. All the work you’ve put in during the off-season, the school season, and in your own time is now being presented on the “big stage”. You’ve physically prepared, but have you mentally prepared. It’s never too late to practice these three main mental skills to get your head in the game and ready to dominate your tryout.
1. Practice Positive Affirmations. Creating positive affirmations is a self-talk tool that can build confidence within yourself. Examples of this would be stating your “I am’s”. Dedicate a time or two throughout the day to repeat three positive affirmations to yourself. This can be first thing in the morning, before a volleyball session, or anytime when you need a mental pick-me-up. Examples of positive affirmations are “I am strong”, “I belong here”, “I am the hardest working player on the court”, “I am resilient”. The more you practice your unique affirmations the more you will physically and mentally demonstrate them. After all, you are what you think.
2. Visualize. Visualization has been a key tool in sport play readiness for many years. Visualization is when you visualize yourself in a certain setting doing a specific task the correct way. Sit in a quite place and close your eyes and start to visualize yourself in the tryout setting. For example, if you are a defense player, you would visualize yourself passing with perfect form every time, diving all over the place not letting a ball drop, being vocal and being a good teammate, or making every serve in. You can even visualize yourself waking up the morning of your tryouts in a calm, excited, eager mood. Another great tool is combining visualization with positive affirmations. If you make a mistake, visualize yourself saying your “I am” statement instead of getting defeated by your error. Once again, you are what you think.
3. Trust your training. So you put in the work (hopefully). Now it’s time to trust your training and go out there and play hard. Oftentimes players get caught up in the physical and mental part of the game and we forget the FUN of it. Being a loud, vocal player who puts out energy onto the court is a trait that all coaches look for. Energy is contagious. It only takes one flame to start a fire. Trust your training and focus on the attitude and energy you put on the court.
Good luck to all the players- you got this!
-Katie Adams