As experienced coaches and wrestlers you have to be asking yourselves
what improvements will make the biggest improvement for the 2003-2004
season that is fast approaching. All to often all that we consider
is technique and conditioning. The purpose of this article is
to motivate you to "think" about a third area: competitive
confidence.
Let me frame the thinking like this: Picture a scale from one
to ten. Now, evaluate yourself (Coaches--one of your wrestlers)
in all three categories: technique, conditioning, and competitive
confidence. Here are some examples.
Technique: a zero would be a rookie who knows very little or
nothing at all; as opposed to a 10 who is a wrestler who is highly
proficient in all positions: on his feet, down, scrambling, riding,
etc.
Conditioning: a zero would be a wrestler who can't make it
through a tuff practice without hurling, let alone a grueling
three period match; as opposed to a 10 who can go all out for
as many overtimes as necessary.
Competitive confidence: a zero would be a wrestler who is experienced
and conditioned, but has never won a match against a formidable
opponent because he can't manage his doubt and fear; as opposed
to a 10 who is a wrestler who loves the sparks; looks doubt square
in the face, and regularly defeats opponents who are better wrestlers.
Got the idea?
Now we get to my point. If we're truthful with ourselves this
example is striking. Hypothetically, if you think you're an 8.5
in technique and an 8.0 in conditioning, what about competitive
confidence, maybe a 4.0 or a 5.0? Perhaps less? As you look to
the coming season, which do you think is your weakest category?
Again, most of the time we ignore competitive confidence. Do
you think improving your technique to a 9.0, and conditioning
to a 9.0, will make a dramatic difference this season? I don't
think so. That is solid improvement, which is good thing, but
its not going to make a dramatic difference at a high level.
Are you starting to see the answer?
Yes, conquering doubt and fear; learning the mental skills
of a competitor is what will make the biggest difference for
the coming season. I've watched thousands of athletes, from kids
to pros, in a variety of sports who are very skilled at technique
and highly conditioned, but don't know how to compete. So the
real question is: Do you want to win or just practice? If you
want to win, it's about your mind, not your body.
The problem is the "how to" information on building competitive
confidence is very limited. Next month I'll start a 7 part series
that will briefly (limited space) touch on the key step-by-step
processes that build a winning tournament mindset, which dramatically
elevates competitive confidence.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that working your butts
off on technique and conditioning aren't critical factors for
winning wrestling tournaments, they definitely are. But, if you
ignore actively working on your competitive confidence your chances
of winning at a high level--becoming a champion--lessons.
Until then, here's to believing.
Steve Knight is the author of WinningSTATE-Wrestling, a groundbreaking
new book that teaches wrestlers how to conquer doubt and fear
and effectively manage the craziness of a tournament environment.
An engaging speaker, Steve is available for seminars. For more
information visit winningstate.com or contact Steve via email:
steve@winningstate.com.
