Craig Sigl, Author at Mental Toughness Trainer

Building Confidence For Youth Baseball Athletes

Craig Sigl2017-09-28T19:37:47+08:00

Every coach and parent knows that youth baseball players perform better when they are confident. It’s no mystery, even to the kid. Truthfully, it’s really quite simple and most parents already know how to do it, but they just don’t do it. It all comes down to these 2 THINGS adults can do to build their child’s confidence in sports or anywhere: 1. Positive encouragement 2. Unconditional approval See, I told you that you knew the answer. So, this article will help you correct the reasons why adults are so terrible in the execution of those principles and how to do it right! [...]

Building Confidence For Youth Baseball AthletesCraig Sigl2017-09-28T19:37:47+08:00

Youth Sports Tip Part 2: Powerhouse Athlete

Craig Sigl2017-09-28T19:12:17+08:00

This is the part 2 of turning a head case into a powerhouse athlete. Your athlete is a human being with all sorts of things going on in his/her life. You must remember, at all times that these are kids who have not figured out their identity or their personal power and are going through all sorts of crazy changes like the following: Some have been bullied Some have major family problems. Some are dealing right now with the biggest stressor of all for kids: Not fitting in. You don’t have to be an amateur child psychologist, however, it’s to your advantage to [...]

Youth Sports Tip Part 2: Powerhouse AthleteCraig Sigl2017-09-28T19:12:17+08:00

Focus Tips For Athletes That Coaches And Parents Should Know

Craig Sigl2019-07-12T12:45:32+08:00

When athletes are lacking focus, coaches often say things like: “Get your head in the game!” or “You need to focus out there.” What Do Coaches Need To Understand First? Coaches need to first understand that non-focusing is built into kids’ hard wiring showing as curiosity and exploration in order to learn as much as they can. That’s their job as a kid and it’s actually a very powerful survival mechanism. Now knowing that, you can have some empathy while helping them improve this mental skill instead of thinking they are just being lazy or unmotivated. And yes it is a [...]

Focus Tips For Athletes That Coaches And Parents Should KnowCraig Sigl2019-07-12T12:45:32+08:00

Words Of Encouragement From Coaches: Are You Doing It Right?

Craig Sigl2017-09-28T19:37:51+08:00

There are so many trite cliches floating around in the sports world that are often repeated by unknowing coaches. Some of them are very useful and when communicated consistently can ingrain solid beliefs and habits that lead to becoming great performers like: “You are relentless.” “You can do this.” Notice the elegance of simplicity in those 2 encouraging messages. That’s what works for athletes. On the other hand, I have heard countless stories from athletes of coaches using words they think are going to motivate and help an athlete but actually do the opposite: 2 Things Coaches Say That Hurts Players Performance [...]

Words Of Encouragement From Coaches: Are You Doing It Right?Craig Sigl2017-09-28T19:37:51+08:00

How To Handle Your Sports Nerves

Craig Sigl2017-09-28T20:50:33+08:00

As an athlete, performer or competitor, getting nervous, tight, or any way physically tense, even in a very subtle way will hinder your ability to perform and is one of the major mental blocks. I operate under this principle: Performance = Potential - Interference. Meaning, you will play, compete or perform your best when you have no interference or mental/emotional blocks. mental block called nervousness To be able to clear this mental block called nervousness, it is extremely helpful to understand it first and then you can take it apart. Let me explain your solution to this problem using [...]

How To Handle Your Sports NervesCraig Sigl2017-09-28T20:50:33+08:00

What Is Sabotaging Your Performance?

Craig Sigl2020-09-27T19:59:32+08:00

As an athlete, performer, or competitor, not being able to push yourself past your comfort zone is one of the major mental blocks. First off, I operate under this principle: Performance = Potential - Interference. This means that you will play, compete, or perform your best when you have no interference or mental and emotional blocks. What do you call this mental block? To be able to clear this mental block, let us call it self sabotage. It is extremely helpful to understand it first and then you can take it apart. Let me explain your solution to this problem [...]

What Is Sabotaging Your Performance?Craig Sigl2020-09-27T19:59:32+08:00

Controlling The Negative Voice In Your Head

Craig Sigl2020-10-14T04:34:32+08:00

As an athlete, performer or competitor, quieting that negative and destructive voice in your head can hinder your ability to perform. This is one of the major mental blocks. I operate under this principle: Performance = Potential - Interference. Meaning you will play, compete or perform your best when you have no interference or mental/emotional blocks. CLEARING MENTAL BLOCK To be able to clear this mental block, the negative mind, it is extremely helpful to understand it first and then you can take it apart. Let me explain your solution to this problem using my 4-step R.A.C.E. Formula for mental [...]

Controlling The Negative Voice In Your HeadCraig Sigl2020-10-14T04:34:32+08:00

A Guide To Being Less Critical For Better Sports Performance

Craig Sigl2017-09-28T20:51:50+08:00

As an athlete, performer or competitor, self-criticism, beating yourself up and focusing too much mistakes can seriously hinder your ability to perform. Self-criticism is one of the major mental blocks. I teach and operate under this principle: Performance = Potential - Interference. Meaning, you will play, compete or perform your best when you have no interference or mental/emotional blocks. How Do You Get Rid Of Mental Block? To be able to clear this mental block (the inner critic), it’s extremely helpful to understand it first and then you can take it apart. Let me explain your solution to this problem using my [...]

A Guide To Being Less Critical For Better Sports PerformanceCraig Sigl2017-09-28T20:51:50+08:00

How To Break Bad Sports Habits

Craig Sigl2017-09-28T19:16:18+08:00

"I know what I need to do, I’m just not doing it." Or, "Why do I keep doing that over and over when it only ends up hurting me? Why can’t I break this habit or pattern?" "I know what I need to do, I’m just not doing it." I once had a high-end sales person come to me who said, "Craig, I feel like there is a pile of money sitting right in front of me and I have a rake in my hand and I’m just staring at it and not raking." Or, this is a typical one, [...]

How To Break Bad Sports HabitsCraig Sigl2017-09-28T19:16:18+08:00

How To Overcome Fear In Sports

Craig Sigl2017-09-28T19:16:48+08:00

Every athlete, performer or competitor knows that there is always room for improvement. You can never completely master any sport or competition. Yes, you have those moments when you are, what I call, in the flow or zone where you are performing your best and you know it. Of course you want more of that. I’m with you and that’s what mental toughness is all about. I teach and operate under this principle: Performance = Potential - Interference This means that you will play, compete or perform your best when you have no interference or mental/emotional blocks. Boost Confidence To Overcome Anxiety [...]

How To Overcome Fear In SportsCraig Sigl2017-09-28T19:16:48+08:00

About Craig Sigl