Good and Great athletes: the difference that sets them apart

Correspondent | Tuesday September 29, 2015 11:46

I was appointed the team sport psychologist, which accorded me a rare opportunity to meet with all athletes, coaches and managers. I watched most if not all the matches and also had sessions with all the teams before and during the games.

There is no doubt that we have talented athletes, but talent on it’s own, is not enough to make a great athlete. Most performance problems that athletes consistently struggle with are not a result of lack of talent, poor conditioning, inadequate coaching, or lack of physical skills or technical ability. When the heat of competition is turned up high, good athletes fade while great athletes win gold medals! Good athletes tend to experience runaway nervousness, intimidation, poor concentration, lack of confidence or inability to let go of mistakes or bad breaks.

It takes a learned attitude to be a great athlete, a belief that you can conquer anything, if you stick with it. It’s a belief in yourself, a determination to be the best. Staying relaxed (I call it “wearing a cool hat”) under pressure is one of the distinguishing factors between good and great athletes.

Great athletes focus on what is important and let go of everything else. Great athletes maintain a consistent focus on relevant cues to the end of the game or race. Additionally, they have the ability to consistently perform toward the upper range of their talent and skill regardless of competitive circumstances.

For example, a great female athlete in a volleyball match knows that her body can go beyond her physical perception of tiredness or fatigue. What she is physically capable of is more determined by her mental strength than her physical capabilities.  Average and good athletes tend to experience last minute self-doubts and negative thinking while great athletes develop self-confidence and a positive, “I got this” attitude.

The lesson I want to share with all athletes in this great nation is that they need to realise their full potential as athletes.

It is crucial to develop high confidence, better handle competitive pressure, and perform to full potential. Not all athletes become great. You have to start training your mind as well a your body! As you develop your physical skills and techniques, you must learn to develop mental skills. It’s all in the mind!

 

Tshepang Tshube PhD

Sports Psychology Lecturer

University of Botswana 

Writes in personal capacity