Timeout at 12:17. The coach says two sentences to the team – and then 20 seconds just to you, loudly.
What's happening in your head?
Pick the thought closest to yours. There are no wrong answers.
Strategy
After harsh criticism – during and after the game:
- 1In the game: take one instruction with you.
- 2After the game: sort into helpful / unclear / unfair.
- 3Ask about anything unclear instead of interpreting it.
Practice now
Rephrase sentence
When a thought like "I'm really bad today" runs through your head – during a break or after the game.
Name the feeling
When you just notice "something's too much right now" and don't know what it is – during a break, on the bus, in the evening.
Three questions instead of overthinking
After the game, at the earliest on the way home – not immediately after the final whistle and not at night.
Why is that?
- Self-talkStrong
Instructional self-talk is most effective for fine motor skills; effects are smaller for strength and endurance tasks. Positive platitudes unrelated to the task have little effect.
- Mindfulness- and acceptance-based approachesModerate
Effects on well-being are better evidenced than effects on pure performance. No substitute for psychotherapy for anxiety disorders or depression.
- Adolescent development and stressModerate
Describes groups, not individuals. Not suitable for diagnosis.
If this situation is consistently bothering you or boundaries are being crossed, get support – Finding Help.