Overcoming Fear, Supporting Growth, and Coaching for Confidence
Hey, team, happy Sunday!
Fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of not being enough—it holds back athletes, parents, and even coaches. This week, we’re breaking down how to push past it.
Table of Contents
For Athletes: Play Fearless, Perform Better
3 Ways to Overcome Fear on the Field
Detach from the outcome. Fear usually comes from worrying about results. Focus on the next play, not the scoreboard.
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. The more you expose yourself to pressure, the more normal it feels.
Shift your self-talk. Instead of "What if I mess up?" say, "What if I succeed?"
2 Quotes to Keep You Locked In
Muhammad Ali: "He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."
Misty Copeland: "Decide what you want. Believe you can have it. Believe you deserve it. Believe it’s possible for you."
1 Question to Reflect On
What would you attempt if you weren’t afraid of failing?
For Parents: Helping Your Athlete Push Past Fear
3 Ways to Encourage Confidence Without Pressure
Celebrate effort, not perfection. If they fear making mistakes, they’ll hesitate instead of playing free.
Let them struggle. Growth happens in discomfort. If you solve every problem for them, they never build resilience.
Model courage yourself. How you handle stress and setbacks teaches them more than your words ever will.
2 Quotes to Keep in Mind
Carol Dweck: "Becoming is better than being." (Confidence is built through the process, not overnight.)
Eleanor Roosevelt: "Do one thing every day that scares you."
1 Question to Reflect On
Are you helping your athlete face challenges, or are you protecting them from experiences they need to grow?
For Coaches: Instilling Confidence in Your Athletes
3 Coaching Tactics to Develop Mentally Tough Players
Give them permission to fail. If players are afraid of your reaction to mistakes, they’ll play tight instead of aggressive.
Reinforce what they do right. Most athletes replay their mistakes over and over—help them balance the mental scale.
Set process-driven goals. Instead of "We need to win," focus on "We need to execute the fundamentals under pressure."
2 Quotes to Inspire Your Leadership
Pete Carroll: "Practice is everything. If you’re sloppy in practice, you’re going to be sloppy in the game."
Billie Jean King: "Pressure is a privilege." (If your athletes feel pressure, it means they’re doing something important.)
1 Question to Reflect On
Do your players feel empowered to take risks, or do they fear making mistakes?
Want to help others build confidence? Share this newsletter.
Until next week, keep pushing forward.
David Lovell
Mental Performance Coach | Creator of the F.O.C.U.S. System
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