Challenge –
In solo, duelling sports such as, Tennis and Fencing, a young athlete’s performance is greatly influenced by their snap judgement of their opponent as being a tough or easy to beat, which has a cascading effect on expectations, impression management concerns, game approach.
Insight –
Most parents don’t realise that a fear of competing against an equally matched or lower skilled opponent can be an indication of fear of failure or pressure to perform. Even when parents are not directly placing pressure on their athlete, they can develop it in other ways. In Singapore the pool is small but highly competitive, players feel that they have a lot to lose, and lack skills to take control on court.
Intervention –
Core mental skills training for young athletes that develops positive coping techniques, skills in focusing and re-focusing, and the ability to manage thoughts and emotions is an empowering gift.
Results –
Young athletes in these cases learn to assess their opponents in productive and strategic ways, that diminishes unhelpful comparisons, builds awareness about how to take control of their performance, and elevates confidence and enjoyment of competition.
