The quick answer is when the athlete recognizes he (or she) is not performing in competition up to potential.

Here’s the interesting part of that answer…it is actually rare that an athlete consistently plays up to ability.  And even then, great athletes will do everything they can to lock down in the mind what they are doing right so that a great performance can be replicated for later.  Because every athlete knows that playing well….comes and goes. And it’s not a pretty thing when it goes…

What can a sports psychologist help you with?

The formula for the mental game of any sport is:

Performance = Potential – Interference

What this means is that athletes will perform up their performance potential when they have cleared all interference.  Sounds simple right?  The formula is simple, but clearing the interference is often as complex as the individuals themselves.

Here’s some typical interference patterns that most athletes go through at some time in their sports career that can be overcome with mental training:

*Can’t play in competition (or under pressure) like they do in practice.

*Stuck on a performance plateau (ie, a swimmer or runner stops improving race times or other athletes can’t get to the next level of stats or league advancement.)

*Overwhelming nervousness before competition causing tension and tightness hindering fluid body movements.

*Can’t close out wins at the end of competition.

*Stuck on a mental block (ie, gymnasts not being able to do a skill they once could, baseball players or golfers getting the yips, basketball players can’t make free throws, etc.)

*Playing timid when the strategy of the sport calls for aggressiveness.

*Can’t get along with other teammates or coach

How to get the most from working with a sports psychologist:

If you want to get the most from any mental game training for sports, you must understand the following 3 concepts if you want to overcome such issues quickly and hold on to the improvement long term:

Nobody can “fix” you.  Only you can “fix” yourself with a professional’s help.  This work is not like going to a medical doctor and they give you a pill or surgery and the patient is a passive receiver.   A mental coach who does not teach you this is operating out of their own ego and does a disservice to the athlete.
Mental game work is no different than physical game training.  For example, you cannot expect to become more focused by someone just telling you how to be more focused.  You have to practice the tool or technique that will build the mental focus ability in your mind regularly until it is habit…just like learning any other skill.

You have 2 main functions of the mind – The Conscious and The Unconscious.  The conscious mind is what you use to look, listen, learn, understand, reason and make all the decisions.   Your unconscious (also called the Subconscious) is the mental functioning that operates your body.  It stores memories and beliefs,  regulates your energy, and manages your emotions in addition to such things as operating your bodily systems.      Know this, if you want long-lasting or permanent change, you MUST make the change at both of these levels of the mind.  A good sports psychologist will teach you this and help you to achieve it.