Learning How to Win Ugly in Sports
Summary: Athletes don’t always have their “A” game, but winning is still possible through persistence, a positive mindset, and present-moment focus. Mentally tough athletes fight until the final whistle, maintain confidence in their skills, and focus on the opportunities right in front of them instead of dwelling on mistakes.
When you don’t have your “A” game, you have to find another way to get the job done.
Many athletes believe they need to being firing on all cylinders and have all the stars align in order to secure a victory. That is not always the case…
Sometimes, scraping it out performing ugly can result in a win and, no matter the circumstances, a win is a win.
In order to take home a win when you don’t quite have “it,” you need to be persistent, positive and focused.
When you have these three qualities (persistence, positive attitude and a present-moment focus) you have greater mental toughness.
Unfortunately, some athletes tend to back down when they are not playing well in a game.
These Athletes Send Negative Messages to Themselves, Such As:
- “I knew I wasn’t going to play well after this horrible week of practices.”
- “I’m not going to win today, so why even try.”
- “There is no way I can come back from trailing by this many points.”
This mindset stops you right in your tracks and gives you zero chance to scrap out a win.
The mentally tough athlete keeps looking for opportunities to turn the tide and grind out a victory.
The mentally tough athlete fights until the end and it is that fight that keeps their chances alive.
The Phoenix Suns are a team that is fighting to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2009-2010 season.
With the season at the halfway point, the Suns appeared headed for a disappointing home loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Suns trailed by as many as 14 points and looked out of sync for the majority of the game. With 2:53 to play, the Suns were down by 10…
The Suns finished the game with a 15-4 run.
The Suns made critical plays when it mattered most, including Devin Booker hitting three free throws to put Phoenix ahead with 12.3 seconds to play and Marquese Chriss blocking an Atlanta shot at the rim with 7 seconds left in the game.
Booker summed up the mentality of the team and their ability to fight back to win.
BOOKER: “We played bad today, but that says a lot about a young team. To be able to play bad like that, come back and get a win down late, that’s big.”
Pulling out a victory is great but there are even greater benefits when you win ugly:
- Winning ugly can be evidence that you don’t need to be perfect to win or that you can still succeed when you are not on top of your game.
- Winning ugly means the stars do NOT have to align for you to get the job done.
- Winning ugly teaches the value of grinding it out, to push forward when you are off your game and to be resilient no matter your circumstances.
Fighting until the very end may turn the tide in your favor but you will never know unless you keep fighting.
A Tip for Fighting Through a Bad Game:
Three qualities of mental toughness help you continue fighting though a bad game: positive attitude, present-moment focus and persistence.
Confidence – You must be confident in your ability to make plays when needed–even when you don’t have your “A” game.
Present-Moment Focus – You need to forget the past such as; the last game, what happened five minutes ago and the last play. Look for the opportunities right in front of you.
Persistence – You absolutely must compete with that fighting spirit where giving in is never an option.
4 Tips for Winning Even When You’re Off Your “A” Game
1. Stay Persistent Until the Final Whistle
Mentally tough athletes never give up, even when trailing or performing poorly. Fighting until the end keeps your chances alive and creates opportunities to turn the game around, just like the Phoenix Suns demonstrated with their late-game comeback against the Atlanta Hawks.
2. Maintain a Positive Attitude
Negativity destroys momentum. Replace self-defeating thoughts like “I can’t win” or “I’m off today” with constructive and motivating messages. A positive mindset fuels resilience and helps you remain effective, even when your performance isn’t perfect.
3. Focus on the Present Moment
Forget past mistakes or poor plays. Concentrate on the opportunities right in front of you. Present-moment focus prevents dwelling on errors and allows you to react effectively to current game situations.
4. Build Confidence Through Mental Toughness
Believe in your ability to succeed, even on off days. Confidence doesn’t mean perfection—it’s trusting your skills and preparation enough to perform under pressure and keep fighting for a win.
Start today by taking greater control of your confidence level with The Confident Athlete program…
Related Sports Psychology Articles:
- Maintaining Confidence After a Bad Performance
- Taking Responsibility to Turn Your Game Around
- How to Overcome Excuses to Improve Performance in Sports
Boost Your Self-Confidence With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
Expert mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues in sports with personal coaching. We do mental training with athletes of all levels and ages–about 12 years and up. And mental training is not just for elite or professional athletes.
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FAQ: Mental Strategies to Fight Through a Bad Game
Q: What does “winning ugly” mean in sports?
A: Winning ugly refers to securing a victory even when your performance is subpar or your team isn’t operating at full capacity. It demonstrates resilience and mental toughness.
Q: How can athletes keep fighting when they aren’t performing well?
A: By staying persistent, maintaining a positive attitude, focusing on the present moment, and trusting in their skills and preparation.
Q: Why is present-moment focus important during a tough game?
A: Focusing on the present prevents dwelling on past mistakes or poor plays, allowing athletes to seize opportunities as they arise and respond effectively to the game situation.
Q: Can confidence still matter if an athlete isn’t on their “A” game?
A: Yes. Confidence allows athletes to trust their abilities, make critical plays, and continue fighting even when they’re not at their peak performance.
Q: What lessons can be learned from winning ugly?
A: Winning ugly teaches the value of resilience, persistence, adaptability, and that you don’t need perfection to succeed.
Dr. Patrick Cohn is an expert mental performance coach who has helped athletes for over 30 years enhance their performance. Dr. Cohn earned a master’s degree in sports psychology from CSUF and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, specializing in Applied Sports Psychology.