Sports Psychology Coaching

If you (or your athlete) are underperforming during games, you might be asking:
Do we need more practice? Or is this a mental game issue?
In this episode, I break down how to tell the difference between a physical skill problem and a mental performance problem. Because sometimes working harder on mechanics actually makes things worse — especially when pressure, anxiety, and overthinking are the real issues.
You’ll learn:
How to know if performance drops are caused by pressure
Why practice alone doesn’t always fix confidence
The difference between skill development and mental performance training
How anxiety can change mechanics (like with the yips)
Why over-focusing on form can hurt performance
The key question to ask: Does performance change when pressure increases?
If you perform well in practice but struggle in games, this episode will help you understand why.
Mental training doesn’t build skill. It builds the ability to trust your skill under pressure.
If you're an athlete trying to figure out what’s holding you back — or a parent wondering whether your child needs more reps or mental performance coaching — this episode will give you clarity.
If you're interested in learning more about my 12-week mental performance coaching program, you can find the link below.
Share this episode with another athlete or parent who may need it.
➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching


🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/


👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!


👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course


📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN


📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY


Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make


*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

How do athletes reset mentally between plays or points?

In this episode, mental performance coach Eli Straw explains a simple and effective mental reset routine athletes can use between every play, point, or moment in competition. Resetting quickly helps prevent one mistake from turning into many and keeps your focus, confidence, and performance consistent.
In this episode, you will learn:
The 3-step mental reset routine (Release → Refocus → Recommit)
How to let go of the previous play or point quickly
How to refocus your attention in the present moment
How to commit to the next play with a clear intention
Common mistakes athletes make when trying to reset
How to train your reset routine in practice and visualization
This mental reset routine can be used in any sport, including tennis, baseball, basketball, soccer, and golf, and is designed to help athletes stay composed, focused, and ready for the next play.
Read the full article on mentally resetting during games:
https://www.successstartswithin.com/sports-psychology-articles/focus-training-for-sports/how-to-mentally-reset-during-games/

Learn more about 1-on-1 mental performance coaching:
https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/
➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching


🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/


👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!


👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course


📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN


📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY


Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make


*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

Many athletes tie their self-confidence directly to stats, wins, and recent performances. When they play well, they feel confident. When they struggle, their confidence drops — and that drop in confidence makes it even harder to turn things around. This creates a frustrating cycle of slumps, pressure, and underperforming.
In this episode, mental performance coach Eli Straw explains why confidence tied to results is unstable and how this pattern increases fear of mistakes, stress, and timid play. More importantly, he outlines a clear strategy to help you separate your confidence from outcomes and build belief based on controllable process habits instead.
You’ll learn:
Why confidence that depends on results keeps athletes stuck in slumps
How fluctuating confidence leads to tight, hesitant performance
Why athletes become afraid of their own reaction to mistakes
How to build confidence from preparation, effort, and mindset
How to redefine success during games in a way that stabilizes performance
The mindset shift required to let go of outcomes and reclaim control
If you’re tired of feeling confident only when things are going well, this episode will help you build stable, process-based confidence that holds up under pressure — even during bad games.
For athletes who want deeper support, Eli also shares how his 12-week one-on-one mental performance coaching program helps athletes build lasting confidence and mental resilience.
➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching


🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/


👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!


👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course


📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN


📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY


Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make


*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

What’s the best way for athletes to develop positive self-talk habits before and during games? In this episode, mental performance coach Eli Straw explains how your thoughts shape your mindset, emotions, and performance, and how to train your thinking to compete with confidence and freedom.
You’ll learn how negative thought patterns create fear, tension, and hesitant play, and how positive self-talk helps athletes stay confident, focused, and resilient under pressure.
Eli breaks down a simple, practical system for building strong self-talk habits both before competition and during games.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why self-talk directly impacts confidence, emotions, and performance
How to identify and replace negative thought patterns before competition
A simple daily self-talk routine to retrain your mindset
How to use mantras during games to stay calm, focused, and confident
How reframing helps you recover quickly after mistakes
How proactive self-talk keeps your mind positive under pressure
How to stay present and avoid outcome-focused thinking during competition
Positive self-talk is not about “just thinking positive.” It is about training your mind to support your performance, manage fear, and help you compete freely and confidently.
If you want to strengthen your mental game, build confidence, and learn how to control your mindset before and during competition, this episode will give you a clear system to start using immediately.
Eli Straw is a mental performance coach who works with athletes around the world through a structured 12-week mental performance coaching program focused on confidence, composure, focus, and resilience under pressure.
Learn more about 1-on-1 Mental Performance Coaching: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching
Share this episode with an athlete who struggles with negative thinking, fear, or confidence during competition.
➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching


🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/


👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!


👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course


📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN


📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY


Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make


*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

What is the best way to build a strong, repeatable pre-performance routine as an athlete?

In this episode, mental performance coach Eli Straw explains how to create a pre-game mental routine that helps you feel confident, focused, present, and ready to compete. A strong pre-performance routine does not guarantee perfect results, but it gives you a consistent mindset so you can perform at your best under pressure.

You will learn how to identify your ideal competitive mindset, choose the right mental training tools, and build a routine that works for your personality, sport, and level of play. Eli also shares a simple sample pre-performance routine that athletes can begin using immediately.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
What a pre-performance routine is and why it improves consistency
How to develop the right competitive mindset for your personality
The three core goals of a strong pre-game routine: readiness, presence, and letting go
Mental training tools you can use, including mindfulness, breathing, visualization, self-talk, journaling, and controllable goals
A simple, proven pre-performance routine used by athletes across many sports
How routines build confidence, focus, and emotional control during competition

This episode is for athletes who struggle with nerves, inconsistency, pressure, or feeling mentally unprepared before competition and want to develop a reliable mental routine.

Work With Eli Straw (Mental Performance Coaching)

If you want help building your own personalized pre-performance routine and strengthening your mental game, learn more about Eli’s 12-week 1-on-1 mental performance coaching program below.
Inside the program:
Mental game assessment
Personalized mental training plan
Weekly coaching sessions
Mental skills training and exercises
Ongoing support between sessions
Learn more here: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/
➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching


🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/


👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!


👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course


📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN


📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY


Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make


*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.