Managing Expectations

Let's not let our expectations drug us under...

Remember when you first started out in your sport, it was fun wasn’t it?!

You didn’t have a care in the world but then as you got better the fun slowly started to fade away. What happened? What’s going on?

This is what we call performance expectations, and it is one of the hardest things for youth athletes to manage.

Expectations come from multiple areas:

• Physical expectations imposed by self – I should be at this level, have this time, place, or this much playtime by this date. When you are not where you believe you should be you start doubting your ability or talent.

•   Mental expectations – I shouldn’t let this affect me like this? Why am I not able to handle this situation. I shouldn’t be so nervous. Comparing your mental state to others.

• Perceived expectations from others – I am known as a great athlete by my peers so I can’t have a bad performance. My coach expects me to be able to deliver. Mom and Dad have put so much time into my sport I can’t disappoint them.

• Expectations of quality/ type of performance – why did I get beaten by those people (even though you may of PR), why did he /she get selected over me? What is wrong with my performance? Why was my performance not good enough to make the team?

How we avoid falling into the

expectation trap?

• Find realistic measurable within the performance that is specific to your goals, position and aspirations and current level of development – ask coach for process goals not outcome goals.

• Respect your opponent or teammate but try not make comparisons. Every athlete is different, every journey is unique.

• Vocalize your intentions for your performance. My goal of this event/ competition/ race is to work on………set the expectations for others. People respond well to directional focus, and this helps alleviative pressure on the athlete

When we manage our expectations in performance with deliberate technical or experiential intentions we preserve and strengthen confidence by protecting our experience of our sport.

Remember the joy of why you started and go back to that place. 

Coach b