Using Sports Psychologists to Improve Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is considered by many tennis players as the single most important asset for peak performance.
Mental toughness helps tennis players in all aspects of their game. Tough competitive circumstances call for mentally tough athletes to navigate their way to success.
So what are WTA players doing to improve their mental toughness?
Some players have sought out mental coaching from sport psychologists to help them achieve more in tennis.
World No. 8 Dominika Cibulkova, who has risen 58 spots in the ranking over the last several months, credits working with a sport psychologist for her ascension in the rankings.
Cibulkova knew her technical game was sound but it was her negativity that prevented her from playing her best.
CIBULKOVA: “Teaming up with a mental coach helped a big part of my game. I was always a good player, I had a good forehand, backhand, and we’re always working on my serve but I could get very negative during the matches and this is what helps me to keep myself into the match when I don’t feel well and I changed so many things and it really helped me.”
No. 16 Suarez Navarro sought the help of a sport psychologist after struggling in the second half of the 2015 season.
NAVARRO: “I started thinking about it [working with a sport psychologist] last year when I lost a lot of matches after Wimbledon. I didn’t think that with my coaches we could find the solution for that, because I was playing well and practicing well so it was something with my mind for sure.”
So what part of your game needs improvement?
What mental skills could vault you to greater heights in tennis?
Tennis players have sought the help of sport psychologists and Mental Game Coaches for a number of reasons including:
–building confidence
–setting goals
–managing on-court emotions
–sharpening focus
–dealing with high expectations
–overcoming obstacles
–improving focus in practice
–dealing with pressure, etc.
If you are not performing as well in matches as you do in practice, that’s a good sign that you can benefit from mental training.
Since all physical aspects have a mental component, mental training is an ideal supplement to your overall game.
CIBULKOVA: “I would say tennis is very mental, and [working with a mental coach] has really helped me… I realized that I have to work on this side, like regular practice. We have mental training sessions, and we work that way also with my coach in practices. It’s something that’s helped a lot.”
Strategies for a Stronger Mental Game:
1. Honestly assess your mind game. Email me for a one-page test you can take to see what’s missing in your mental game.
2. Identify three mental skills as strengths. What mental skills have helped you perform your best during tennis matches? It is important to know your strengths to bolster your confidence.
3. Identify three mental skills that you want to improve. Take a few minutes to image how much better your play will be if you strengthen these three mental skills.
4. Create a game plan. What specific strategies can you apply in practice and matches to help improve your mind game?
Remember, an experienced Mental Game Coach can help guide you in this process to a stronger mental game. Read more about mental coaching for tennis:
Tennis Mental Coaching
Learn Proven Strategies To Perform Your Best On The Court!
Are you (or your players) performing up to your ability in competition?
Do you bring your best and most confident game to matches?
Successful tennis players have learned how to perform with ultimate confidence in tournaments.
If you are ready to improve your mental toughness and perform wiht ultimate self-confidence in matches, Tennis Confidence: Mental Toughness For Tournament Players can help you do this!
Use Tennis Confidence to help boost your mental toughness in tennis and discover powerful and proven mental game strategies that have helped professional athletes win!
Tennis Confidence: Mental Toughness For Tournament Players
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“Dr. Cohn did a great job working with my son Joe on his mental skills for tennis. He taught him the mental skills and discipline necessary to move to the next level.”
~Mike Withers, dad of Joe Withers
“Danielle did really well with controlling her emotions during the matches today. We were very proud of her for not showing her frustrations during the match; I think that was a big accomplishment. She really looked in control of her emotions even when she double faulted or made mistakes. The changes we saw on Danielle’s behavior in less than 24 hours were AWESOME! Thank you for your guidance!”
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You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
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“Thank you for all the knowledge, tools, material, and guidance you have given me throughout this course. It was truly a great experience. I am looking forward to integrating this mental training system not only to students at the club, but as well bring this wonderful education outside to athletes that truly are committed, and strive towards reaching their peak performance.”
~Tim Whitehead, Head Tennis Professional, MGCP
Add More Value To Your Mental Training Programs!
This workbook series was designed for coaches and mental coaches to use with their athletes.
The Athlete’s Mental Edge workbooks complement your existing mental training program. Each of the 15 workbooks in the Athlete’s Mental Edge System teaches your athletes a specific mental skill to improve their performance.
For mental coaches, this system is ideal for between session education.
For sports coaches, you’ll be able to conduct 15 team seminars using the workbook system.
In the Athlete’s Mental Edge workbook system, you receive 15 easy-to-read, practical Mental Edge Workbooks on PDF, as well as 16 coaches’ game plan MP3 audio files.
Athlete’s Mental Edge Workbook System
What are coaches saying?
“I’ll start by saying that the Mental Edge Workbook program is awesome. It put all the pieces together for my mental work with soccer players.”
~Eitan Azaria, Mental Coach for Soccer
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