Building confidence takes time and is a process involving preparation and knowing what is expected of you. According to Wayne Bennett: “Self-esteem is all about how an individual feels about himself or herself. My advice is to look at all your positive attributes and don’t dwell on the things that will limit your performance.  When someone doesn’t reach their full potential and their talent is wasted, it is likely to be through a lack of self-esteem. Its’ all about confidence and believing in your abilities.  It’s not what you are; it’s what you think you are.” 

Coaches have a special role to play in building confidence. According to Wayne Bennett, it is important for coaches to discuss fear with their players openly and in team sports to rely on teammates to help a player through their fears. Rod Macqueen believes that “A coach should ensure that when a player goes onto the field, he’s got a maximum of three things he’s really concentrating on. If those three things are right on the field, the rest will look after itself”.

- an extract from Secrets of Winning Coaches Revealed