2 Mental Game Tips To Break Free Of A Slump
Summary: Slumps are mentally draining periods that can sap motivation and trap athletes in negative thinking. Focusing on results often worsens the slump, while a shift in mindset and attention to preparation and small improvements can help break it.
Getting out of a slump is a mentally draining task for most athletes.
Slumps are frustrating and can leave some athletes at a loss for how to break out of their performance lull.
It feels like no matter what you do, nothing improves. You feel trapped.
When a slump takes over your mind, its mystique grows. The slump gains importance.
At this point, the slump can become overwhelming, deplete your motivation and lessen the very effort needed to break out of that slump.
Slumps Happen in all Sports…
If you find yourself in a slump, the right mindset can get you back on track quickly.
Your mindset affects both your focus and your response to events.
When you are in a slump, it is tempting to focus on results. Focusing on the results compounds the problem and keeps you stuck in slump mode.
Breaking out of a slump requires that you do something different… attack the issue from a different angle… approach competitions from a different mindset.
After a 3-game mini-slump, BYU Men’s Basketball team broke out with back-to-back wins by staying focused on their preparation and their game rather than the slump itself.
BYU forward Yoeli Childs talked about the mindset needed to turn things around.
CHILDS: “We’ve got to play harder… We need to figure out what we can do individually, each guy, to make our team a little bit better. I don’t think we’re too far off. Every guy, especially myself, needs to find a way to give more. We’re not broken but we obviously have a problem right now. You can’t lose three in a row. But we’re not broken. We’re going to figure it out. We’re going to grind and get there.”
What about BYU’s mindset?
First, the team knew they could right the ship. Too many athletes feel that they are “broken” or that there is something wrong with them during a slump.
Next, BYU understood they needed to “play harder” and focus on what each athlete could improve upon to move forward. The team was focused on improvement, slight adjustments, not the slump itself.
Finally, BYU was committed to grinding it out and finding a way to break out the slump.
If you find yourself in a slump, then you need examine your mindset and how you stay stuck and how to get back on track quickly.
Try these two tips for a “Slump-Busting” Mindset
- Avoid generalizing based on the past few games. It doesn’t matter what happened in the last five competitions or even the last one. Focus on the next opportunity for success.
- Don’t wait for your performance to magically come around! You have to improve your thinking to improve performance.
Remember that slumps are always temporary. You will eventually come out of the slump.
How long it takes you to get out of the slump is up to you, so why not make it happen today?
Related Sports Psychology Articles:
- Taking Responsibility to Turn Your Game Around
- How Resiliency Can Help You Overcome Adversity
- Overcoming High Expectations in Sports
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FAQ: Tips for Slump Busting for Athletes
Q: What is a slump in sports?
A: A slump is a period of poor performance where results do not reflect your effort or skill. It can affect motivation, focus, and confidence.
Q: Why do slumps become mentally draining?
A: Focusing on results or past failures magnifies the problem, making the slump feel overwhelming and reducing the effort needed to improve.
Q: How can athletes break out of a slump?
A: Shift your mindset, focus on preparation, make small improvements, and concentrate on the next opportunity rather than past performances.
Q: What mindset helped BYU Men’s Basketball overcome a slump?
A: They believed they were not “broken,” focused on individual and team improvement, and committed to working hard to regain performance.
Q: Are slumps permanent?
A: No. Slumps are temporary, and performance can improve with the right mindset and focused effort.
Q: How can I avoid getting stuck in a slump?
A: Avoid generalizing based on past games, focus on what you can control, and actively work on improving your thinking and approach to competition.
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.