How Mental Performance Training Helps Athletes Bounce Back and Perform Better
When I first started working with athletes as a strength coach, then a team coach for soccer and ice hockey, one thing became clear: The physical side of the game that every parent wanted their child working on, and every coach encouraged their players to enhance in the off season- it just wasn't cutting it.
I’d seen far too many athletes- talented, dedicated, hard-working- fall short of their true potential because they didn’t have the mental tools to match their physical skills.
The throwing back of the head and missing the next play. Ignoring their coaches once they knew their playing time was done for the day. The pre-game anxiety of considering all of the performance situations they could find themselves in, without the mental strategies to come out on the other side feeling good about themselves.
It's a lot for athletes to do on their own, and it's why I created Think Strong, Play Strong mental performance coaching.
I know how important mental preparation is and I wanted to bridge the gap between all of the physical talent coaches and athletes work on and how to get the most of it by also having the mental toughness to perform at a high level, consistently.
Since working closely with parents, coaches and athletes on the mental training side of things, I get asked a lot of great questions surrounding the mental barriers seen often in sports. Here are three mental performance questions that pop up often that I think will help teams and athletes reach peak performance in and out of sports.
“How do I get my athletes to understand mistakes are part of the game? I seem to lose even my best athletes during competition from one misplayed ball.”
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard this one- or witnessed it myself.
It's one of the biggest mental challenges I see in athletes- they make one mistake and instead of moving on, they spiral. One miss play gets in their head and they start to doubt themselves, negative thoughts take over, confidence is lost and the game is over.
Luckily, I'm here to tell you the good news. Bouncing back from mistakes is a trainable skill and something I go hard on in my Think Strong Play Strong programs as part of my mental performance coaching.
The answer is not as simple as just, "getting over it" when things happen on the field, but coaches, parents and athletes alike have never been taught how to actually move forward.
Here's how I teach it:
I call it the Bounce Back Faster Routine. It's a simple three-step process that young athletes to professional athletes can do in a matter of seconds, even during competition and you can easily share it with your teams.
First: Acknowledge the mistake without judging yourself. Don't punish yourself over it, but don't pretend it didn't happen.
Next: Reset your mind and body by taking a deep breath, doing something physical (adjusting your sock) and thinking or saying a positive self-talk phrase to yourself. Something simple like "I'm good" or "Next play."
Last: Refocus on the next play. What controllable action can you do once the ball is back in play?
Remind your athletes to use this method even in practice, so that it becomes automatic during competition.
Because mistakes happen and the best athletes don't avoid them; they just have a plan to move on quickly when they occur.
“What’s one mental skill I can teach my team that will have the biggest payoff?”
This is one of my favorite things to share because it's so easy to start implementing and makes such a huge impact in your performance.
If I had to give you just one, it would be this:
Preparation builds confidence.
Sounds obvious, right? But here’s where most athletes - and coaches- miss the mark: they think showing up for practice is “enough.” But true preparation is more than just going through the motions. It’s intentional. It’s focused. It’s repeatable.
The athletes I see perform consistently under pressure are the ones who prepare on purpose. They don’t just rely on talent or luck. They know they’ve earned the right to be confident because they’ve done the work before game day.
So, how do you teach this?
✅ Help your athletes create a simple pre-game routine- mental and physical - that primes them to compete at their best.
✅ Encourage them to identify 1-2 controllable actions they’ll focus on in practice each day.
✅ Show them how to reflect after games- what worked, what needs adjusting - so each week’s preparation gets sharper.
On top of those game-day enhancers, being prepared starts the night before, ahead of even arriving at the field. Making sure you have everything you need for the next day at practice or for your game, going over plays and making sure you get enough rest. All of these small things will reduce pre-game anxiety and allow athletes to show up knowing they have done everything they can to play at their best.
And when athletes know they have done everything possible to be ready, the more likely they are to trust their skills under pressure.
“How important is this really - do mental skills actually make a difference?”
I understand the hesitation from some coaches and parents. A lot of it stems from not knowing how to approach the mental side of the game which sometimes leads to not understanding the full value. But a lot of it is, "we didn't have this in my day!"
We didn't have it in mine either. And that's one of the reasons I'm so passionate in sharing it with teams now and fully believe it is the missing link for so many athletes.
The truth is this: Physical skills only take you so far. At some point, you're going to be competing for a roster spot or in a championship game against someone just as talented, fast, and strong as you.
The athlete or group of athletes that can outlast their opponent between the ears will end up on top.
Ask any coach at the top level, and they’ll tell you:
Games are won in the small moments when confidence, focus, and resilience get tested.
That’s the mental game in action. Thats the difference between staying in the game when you're down a goal or giving up. It's the difference between losing in penalties one season, and not quitting before the next.
So, yes. It matters. In fact, it might matter more than anything else if you want to get the most out of all the physical hours you’re already putting in.
The Next Move is Up To You
If you want your athletes to bounce back from mistakes faster, show up mentally and physically prepared for every situation, and have the self-belief that nothing is out of reach- it's time to enhance your mental game.
If you’re ready for more, that’s where I come in. This is what Think Strong, Play Strong is all about.
Want to bring proven mental performance strategies to your team or athlete?
Book a Team Workshop | Schedule a Call | Contact Me
Train your mind like you train your body and watch what happens next.
Think Strong. Play Strong. Lead Strong.
