Self-confidence
Self-confidence is an athlete's belief that they can handle the task or the competition in front of them. Stable confidence helps you hold concentration under pressure and keep your results consistent.
Definition
In sport psychology, confidence is understood as an expectation of success based on an appraisal of your own capabilities. A closely related concept is Bandura's self-efficacy: the belief that you are able to carry out specific actions to achieve a result. Confidence comes from past experiences of success, watching others, support from the people around you, and managing your own state.
How it shows up in sport
A confident athlete takes justified risks, recovers after a mistake and holds the plan on the decisive stretches. A shortfall in confidence feeds fear of losing and makes performances inconsistent, where everything hangs on a chance mood. It matters to tell healthy confidence apart from brittle overconfidence that collapses at the first setback.
Related tests
Levels of sport confidence and self-efficacy are measured with dedicated sport confidence scales. Suitable instruments are available in the tests section. It is easiest to work through the sources of your confidence, and its lapses, with a specialist.
Exercises
Confidence is strengthened by a bank of evidence of your successes, pre-start visualization of a good performance, and work with your inner dialogue. Leaning on process goals that the athlete controls helps too. The practices are gathered in the exercises section.
Related terms and issues
Confidence is connected to self-esteem, athletic self-esteem and a growth mindset. A shortfall in it deepens fear of losing and inconsistent results.
FAQ
How is confidence different from self-esteem?
Confidence is the expectation of succeeding at a specific task here and now, while self-esteem is a broader and more stable attitude toward your worth as a person.
How do I get confidence back quickly after a run of setbacks?
Lean on your bank of past successes, narrow your focus to controllable process goals and rework your inner dialogue — that restores confidence faster than waiting for the next win.
Related topics
See also
When you need a personal review
If the challenge recurs, affects results, or causes strong tension for the athlete, it is better to discuss it with a specialist. Sports Talk helps you find a psychologist and a format that fits the sport, age and upcoming calendar.