Mental Strategies Players Might Use Before Super Bowl LVIII
This Sunday, February 11th, 2024, America’s football fans will be glued to the screens across the nation to watch the underdog Kansas City Chiefs take on the favored San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. And for those of us who don’t speak Roman Numerology, that’s Super Bowl 58.
This moment, this game, this one game is EVERY football players goal from the beginning of the season. Some have even dreamed about it since they were a kid playing backyard football with other kids in the neighborhood. Then, they go on to high school football and play home coming. Heck, they may have even dated one of the cheerleaders. But nothing, nothing prior to that NFL Conference win that excels them to the level of playing in the Super Bowl matters when they’re walking onto that field Super Bowl Sunday. But that doesn’t mean they disregard mental preparation. Just like they ‘physically’ work hard on reaching that great moment, no athlete ever ignores preparing mentally for the day they’ve longed for, for so long.
Before the game, players may experience a mix of emotions, including excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. They may also feel pressure to perform well and meet expectations, but they use various mental techniques to channel these emotions into positive energy.
While I can provide general insights into how athletes might prepare mentally for a big game like the Super Bowl, it’s important to note that individual experiences and approaches can vary widely. Here are five actions that Super Bowl players may take to mentally prepare:
Just like they ‘physically’ work hard on reaching that great moment, no athlete ever ignores preparing mentally for the day they’ve longed for, for so long.
1. Visualization and Mental Rehearsal:
Players often use visualization techniques to mentally rehearse their performance. They imagine themselves making successful plays. From how they throw, how they catch, how they run, you name it. They even visualize details on how the crowd will react. They mentally hear the crowd’s roar. What the weather looks like. What the temperature feels like. This mental rehearsal helps them build confidence and prepare for different game scenarios. Like Chevy Chase said in the movie Caddyshack, they – BE – the ball.
2. Positive Self-Talk:
Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial for success in business – and in sports. Athletes often use affirmations, or positive self-talk, to boost their self-confidence and mental focus. Mentally they remind themselves of their strengths, past successes, and reinforce it with memories of the hard work they’ve put into their training. This one alone is powerful. If they mentally believe they’re a success, they predestine themselves to achieve great plays. That said, the opposite is also true. People, no matter who they are, cannot comfortably behave in a manner that is contradictory to personal belief. So, if they don’t believe they’re a great player, they won’t play great. It’s that simple.
People, no matter who they are, cannot comfortably behave in a manner that is contradictory to personal belief.
3. Emotional Regulation:
Managing emotions is essential for peak performance. Players learn to regulate their emotions by practicing techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or meditation. This helps them stay calm under pressure and maintain focus during the game. This is also something the opposing team tries to trigger in their opponent’s mindset. If the opposing team can get the other team emotionally unstable, or out of control of their emotions, that would only benefit the team who’s in control of their emotions the most. Since emotions power behaviors, the opposing team will often do a quick jerking motion at the line of scrimmage. If the other team emotionally reacts and jumps into the play to early, this could trigger an off-sides flag. This is one strategy that’s used quite often in American football.
4. Pre-Game Rituals:
Many athletes have pre-game rituals or routines that help them get into the right mindset. This can include superstitions, listening to music, engaging in specific warm-up exercises, or spending time with teammates to build camaraderie and focus.
5. Adapting to Game Dynamics:
During the game, athletes need to stay extremely focused. But even though they remain focused, players must also be mentally flexible and adaptable. They stay focused on the present moment, adjust their strategies based on the opponent’s moves, and maintain a positive attitude even in challenging situations.
On the field, players are focused and dialed into the game. They use their mental preparation to stay in the zone, make split-second decisions, and perform at their best. The ones who do it well individually while performing well as a team typically wins the game. No matter if it’s the Super Bowl, opening day, or first time in the game. This applies to both athletic teams and management teams.
With all that said, at the end of the day, the Super Bowl will always end with one team winning, and one team losing.
Winning the Super Bowl can evoke feelings of euphoria, accomplishment, and validation for players. It’s the culmination of their hard work and dedication throughout the season, and it can be a deeply emotional experience. Players celebrate with teammates, coaches, and fans, savoring the moment and the realization of their dreams.
Losing the Super Bowl can be devastating for players, especially considering the immense effort and sacrifice they’ve made to reach that stage. They may experience feelings of disappointment, frustration, and regret. However, resilient athletes use defeat as motivation to learn and grow, fueling their determination to come back stronger in the future.
About Paul Calhoun
Chicago based Mental Wellness Consultant and Trainer Paul Calhoun is an accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructor and mental health advocate with over 30 years’ experience in the Mental Health arena. He’s worked with key decision makers in both Government and Private sectors. He’s also spoken internationally on the topic of Mental Health in both profit and not-for-profit organizations. For more information, CLICK HERE to download Pauls’ Speaker One Sheet.