Field Hockey

Becoming a champion requires any athlete to “pay their physical dues.” There is no shortcut to reaching your goals in this sport. You have to work hard, get stronger, increase endurance, and hone the technique required to play at a high level. By making this kind of physical investment and working hard at it, you are moving yourself one step closer to your dreams. However, to become a champion, you must also work on the mental side of your game.

Once you step onto the field for an important try-out or game, the difference between playing well or poorly lies completely between your ears! When the game is on the line and the competitive pressure is turned up high, playing to your potential is all about how well you can execute mentally. That is, are you able to stay calm and composed under pressure, rebound quickly from mistakes and bad breaks, manage last minute negative thinking and doubts and maintain your confidence no matter what? These are the key factors that make the difference between playing well and winning and playing poorly and losing!

1. Concentration, when controlled, is the key to excellence. If you lose control of your focus and concentrate on the wrong things either before or during your game, you will undermine your confidence, get yourself nervous, and then underachieve.
2. Keep your focus on what YOU are doing, NOT on what your opponent is doing or what you imagine others are thinking.
3. Concentrate on one play at a time in the present.
4. When you lose your focus, quickly “reset” and bring it back to YOU and the NOW.
5. Leave your mistakes in the past where they belong

Do you know how to avoid getting psyched out or intimidated?

Playing your best when it counts the most demands that you stay centered and “play your own game.” This can only happen when you focus on yourself and your job. If you are in the habit of allowing your concentration to stray to your opponents – their skill level, size, or reputation – then you will quickly find yourself getting psyched out.

As a field hockey player, you must make a commitment to work hard on your mental game, as well as your physical one. You’d never leave your conditioning or skill execution to chance! So why leave the critical mental part of your game up in the air? You have to believe in yourself and have the self-confidence to focus on yourself and not your opponents when you’re under pressure. You have to be able to handle last minute negativity and self doubts. You have to be able to master your fears. We can help.

Dr. G has worked with high school and college field hockey teams across the country. As the former Sports Performance Consultant to the University of Connecticut, Dr. G worked closely with the Huskies’ field hockey team. He is the author of the revolutionary book, This Is Your Brain On Sports: Beating Blocks, Slumps and Performance Anxiety for Good! Check out his popular Mental Toughness Training Package.

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