Information about Mental Toughness at Sports Camps
Attending sports camps are a great way to improve your physical sports skills. But what about the mental side of the game? This is an often overlooked aspect of attending sports camps. If you’re at an overnight sports camp, you won’t have the comforts of home surrounding you.
Mom and dad aren’t around to cook your meals and keep tabs on you. You’ll be enjoying certain freedoms you might not be used to, while still being under camp supervision. What time will you go to sleep? What will you eat from the cafeteria during your meals? How will you adjust to new coaches you’re unfamiliar with? All of these situations will help you later, as you learn to make decisions on your own, within the protective environment of your sports camp.
When practicing and playing with your normal team at home, you know what to expect from your coaches and teammates. You’re familiar with the personalities, and day to day expectations placed up on you. When you attend a sports camp, you’ll be dealing with a whole new set of coaches who don’t know you well, if at all. It’s an adjustment both you and your coaches are making.
Dealing with many different types of coaches will only make you mentally tougher. Some coaches are more demanding, some value their connection with their players more. You’ll run across all different types of coaches. Just remember, at a sports camp, they have your best interests at heart. They are there to teach and help you improve, physically and mentally. Sure, practices can be frustrating and tiresome, but remember that your goal is get better and help your team back home. The coaches want to see you succeed just as much, if not more than you do!
Another adjustment at your sports camp is practicing and playing with new teammates. You’re not in your comfort zone of playing with familiar faces. That’s ok, just remember that they are in the same boat as you! If you are nervous about seeing so many new faces, start with making one new friend. You will be surprised how quickly you will make many more friends! Sports camps are a great way to make new friends who want to improve just as you do. Being around so many new people in a 4-5 day span, will help you become more mentally tough.
Every time you attend a sports camp, you will have a different experience. These experiences will improve your mental toughness. It’s not all about practice and coaching though. Make sure you always remember to have fun! If you feel that you can adjust to the many situations thrown at you during your time at sports camp, you will succeed both on and off the playing field!
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