Press Box: The mind matters

Jenny Allen, Contributing Writer

Although it may not seem obvious, sports exceed beyond just the physical elements; the psychological factors are just as crucial.

As spectators, we tend only to see the physical activity that goes into sports, leading us to overlook the intellectual side. The mental standpoint of an athlete can surpass one’s athleticism.

Yes, physical skill allows a player to excel, however, a player’s mentality provides the composure, resilience and discipline needed to succeed.

Although training and practice are key aspects of improving performance, you can’t do so to the best of your ability if you are not mentally dialed in.

To perform at your best, your mentality needs to be aligned with your physical goals. When it comes to execution, the mind can be more significant than the body and athleticism.

Taking care of your body consists of a variety of steps involving warming up, taking the right nutrition and getting enough rest.

While these physical foundations are a core part of an athlete’s routine, taking care of your mind is just as indispensable.

“You have to take care of your brain just like you take care of your body,” Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown said in an interview with ESPN. 

Mental stamina, perseverance and strength allow athletes to meet their desired results. Though equally as important, this can hold them back as well. Anyone can say they want to improve, however, being able to hold yourself accountable and take action is what will set you apart.

Whether it be a tied game, penalty kick, free throw or championship event, being able to make a clutch play or decision can not happen if you are not mentally ready.

From Micheal Jordan’s versatility, Derek Jeter’s batting, Tom Brady’s passing, Serena Williams’ power and Stephen Curry’s threes, we are shown how a mentally sharp athlete can lead to individual and team accomplishments.

Sports offer many opportunities to easily test aggression, patience and control. A key characteristic of being a mentally reliable athlete is having the strength to separate these off-the-field emotions from the game.

Not letting distractions such as trash-talking or playing dirty get under your skin is a major hurdle for athletes as well.

If you can mentally channel your frustration in a way that improves your performance rather than discourages it, you can both establish and improve your physical and mental stability.

As beneficial — yet uncommon as it is — training your mind is just as important as training your body. Physical training goes beyond just practicing, it takes a multitude of pieces. The same idea applies to training your mind, it is not a single or simple task.

Training your mind means you must be able to overcome adversity and dedicate the time needed to build composure.

Staying calm under pressure, maintaining positive thoughts and believing in yourself are some of life’s greatest hardships, making it even more difficult when it intersects with sports and physical activity.

Many athletes constantly struggle with letting impulses or feelings overpower their performance. If this is the case, it can affect not only your long-term play but also the respect you have earned from teammates, coaches and fans.

Mental challenges in sports can quickly become a cycle of discouragement that affects the body and execution.

Getting in your head has a major effect on your self-confidence, resulting in tactical, technical and physical errors. This is another reason why mental components are just as vital as physical ones in order to keep your performance at its best.

Keeping a clear and motivated headspace is not as easy as it seems for an athlete, but it is essential for being the athlete you strive to be.