Santa Cruz Volleyball Forum

VOLLEYBALL: 5 Tips to Volleyball Mental Toughness!

Incredible Secrets to being Mentally Tougher than your competition finally revealed so you can win more!
Here are some simple, exciting ways to being mentally tougher than your competition that is often overlooked by volleyball players.

1. Power of Belief - creating a solid belief in oneself is critical. Here’s one theory I use: "I make mistakes quickly and often, Adjust faster, and Improve faster than my competition because of it!"In the end, I win, because I wasn’t afraid to make mistakes early on.

2. Create a Compelling Vision- Setting goals that make you excited makes the season a whole lot more fun, and you end up getting a lot more out of yourself.

3. Emotions of Power - Teach yourself how to enjoy the game, competition, and playing.

A key way of doing it is learning how to manage your emotions:

a. Self talk- speak positive and powerful words to yourself and your teammates

b. Self Image- Only visualize yourself being successful, and see yourself adjusting to current challenges

c. Physiology- Walk tall, smile, breathe, and project confidence.

4. Risk - Make mistakes and "Go For it!" If a skill is challenging, keep at it even if you feel silly at first. No one will laugh at you when you beat them!

5. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare - The key to winning consistently is to realize that the hard work has to be done, months and weeks before the big tournaments. Athletes who hit the weights extensively, get private coaching, and get in great shape in the off season, will pass up their competition!

Put these few ideas to use, and notice how quickly you start gaining more and more confidence in what you do! Good Luck!

Edward O'Keefe