Tackle negative thoughts

In this exercise, you'll learn how to stop focusing on what could go wrong during intensity-packed moments.

90 sec

What You Need

Quiet place

Emotions and thoughts running wild can negatively impact an athlete's performance in competition.

You might experience them when you're in the changing room before a match, or when you're down a goal with 2 minutes to go.

This is completely normal. No athlete is immune from this.

But you can train your mind to acknowledge these thoughts and emotions and move on, thus never letting them interfere with your success.

So when it's time to compete and you find yourself focusing on what could go wrong, or you feel those butterflies in your stomach... Pause. Nod.

Take a deep breath. And try this exercise.

Take another deep inhale through your nose for five seconds.

And when you exhale, blow out through your mouth, releasing all that air, and letting those negative thoughts and emotions go with it. Then drive your attention back to the task at hand. Focus on the moment. And pump yourself up with positive self-talk.

But don't just think the self-talk. Actually say it out loud.

Put those thoughts out into the universe. "This is what I'm built for." "I own this court." "My time is right now." With each statement, you'll slowly build more and more confidence.

Then take one final deep breath. Puff out your chest.

Maybe even let out a smile. And respond to that self-talk by going out there and doing exactly what you said you would.

Most of us are never taught how to tap into the mental side of performance. That's why Under Armour is bringing you proven mental-strength practices to help you reach your goals on and off the pitch.

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