1. Confidence:
Mental Strategies to Think Like a Champion
Protex Sports Flash Seminar
“A motto and philosophy I have really stressed is [SIC]:
you’ve got to believe in yourself. Self confidence is without a
doubt the first step to success”.
~ Tommy Lasorda, Baseball Manager, Hall of Fame
John Ellsworth, MA
Protex Sports
www.protexsports.com

2. Two Types of Confidence
 The general belief in your ability as an athlete
 Example: I am a solid tennis player and capable of competing at the
next level.
 A specific belief in your ability to perform a task
 Example: My cross court backhand is very one of my strongest
weapons.
“Our attitudes, belief systems, and thoughts create our reality”
Gary Mack – Mind Gym

3. What is Confidence?
When confidence is present:
…you believe, and trust in your ability to execute a
physical skill or perform a task.
“Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can do.”
- John Wooden

4. Critical Success Factors to a
Confidence Foundation
-Past Experience
-How would you describe your past experiences
with your sport?
-Prior Success
-Can you identify periods of previous success?
-Write down on paper the 5 most recent success events

5. Three Sources of Confidence
Athletes Acquire Confidence from:
• Practice
• From immediate past performance
• What others say about our performance
Which of these three pertains to you?
Consistency is what counts. You have to do things over and over again.
- Hank Aaron

6. Six Steps to Improve Self Confidence
- Know what confidence is and what it is not.
- Know where it comes from and how you lose it.
- Know what is & what is not in your control.
- Be aware of doubts that sabotage confidence.
- Develop a “game plan” to counteract “doubt.”
- Introduce mental strategies to boost confidence
and eliminate doubt.

7. Taking Control of Confidence
What Confidence is not!
• Confidence is not…
Doubt, Indecision, or Hesitation
• Confidence is…
Person-specific and Task-specific
If there is doubt in your mind…how can your muscles know what
they are expected to do?
- Harvey Penick

8. Enemies of Confidence
What Confidence is Not!!
Four Categories of Self Limiting Beliefs
1. Doubt
2. Irrational or Unrealistic beliefs
3. Demands – Expectations - Perfectionism
4. Negative Self-Labels
Beliefs drive behaviors and self-limiting beliefs lead to self-defeating
behaviors. Believe in yourself and your abilities.

9. Five Elements to Build Strong Confidence
1. Recall the success you had in past similar situations.
2. Bring successful past strategies forward.
3. Recognize what else the current situation may require.
4. Focus positively on the required and desirable actions.
5. Trust in your physical and mental preparation.

10. Summary
- Confidence is a General Belief in Your Ability
- Self-Confidence Comes from Past Task Specific Success
- Trust in Self Comes From Confidence & Momentum
- Refute, Rebut, & Reframe Doubt
- No Expectations
- Set Achievable, Manageable, and Measurable Mini
Performance Objectives
- Believe You Can Succeed & You Will
- Trust you Can Achieve & Nothing Will Get in your Way

11. The Confident Athlete
Maintains a High Belief System in Physical Skills
Confident Athletes See Themselves as Winners
Confident Athletes Focus on Why They Will Succeed
Confident Athletes Use Positive Self-Talk
Confident Athletes Don’t Let Doubts Rule
Confident Athletes are Proactive
Confident Athletes Think, Feel, and Project Confidence
Confident Athletes Use the Past to Feel Confident Now
Confident Athletes Anticipate Success
Confident Athletes Prepare Strategies or Game Plans
Confident Athletes Anticipate Challenges & Prepare to Feel Confident
Confident Athletes Have Patience
Confident Athletes Don’t Pay Attention to Critics

12. Three Phases of Confidence
Development
Focusing on strengths & maintain confident thoughts –
when challenged!
Ability to identify roadblocks that hold back confidence.
Incorporate Mental Game Tools to build confidence

13. What Makes the Confidence Flourish?
• Inventory your “recent” success in practice &
competition.
• Make positive “affirmation” statements to yourself
• Expect Nothing, but prepare for Everything!
• Set Manageable, Achievable, and Measurable
Mini goals or Performance Objectives
The whole idea is to get an edge. Sometimes it takes just a little extra something to get that
edge, but you have to have it.
Ty Cobb

14. Six Levels of Confidence??
1. I hope I can hit this shot…
2. Maybe I can hit this shot…
3. I think I can hit this shot…
4. I believe I can hit this shot…
5. I know I can hit this shot…
6. I will hit this shot…