Being the biggest, fastest and strongest among all of your athletic competition is definitely an advantage, but, it does not mean you will always win. Elite athletes still have to be able to hit a ball or outwit their opponent. When the physical attributes of athletes are closely matched, their mental approach to the game is often the difference between winning and losing.
To get the mental edge, many of the world’s greatest athletes employ the services of sports psychologists. Learning to focus on the task at hand will make any athlete tougher to beat. Some athletes lack a “killer instinct” and others can not control their emotions. Great golfers have to block out distractions and be able to concentrate on each shot. They have to learn how to deal with adversity. Most of all, they must be focused and resilient.
Psychology plays a big role in both individual and team sports. The mind can motivate, control and inspire a player to perform up to his or her maximum physical ability.