Sports Psychology Program
Sports Psychology Program
COVER PAGE
Program Title: Improvement on Positive Self-Talk for Confidence and Focus for Ferris State
Behavioral Theory
2. PST FRAMEWORK
2.1. INTRODUCTION
Positive self talk is a form of confidence and a way to instill confidence in those who struggle
with self belief. Positive self talk consists of focus, and maintaining energized feelings when the
pressures become high. This program aims to allow the Ferris State Football players to keep their
heads within the game, bounce back from mistakes, and overall provide more consistent
performances. It has been proven and backed by many studies showing positive self talk when it
becomes a habit, is a difference maker. It makes a huge difference on the field and especially in
Participants: The entire team. Freshman - seniors. from starters to guys working their way up.
Assessment Method: Surveys and one-on-one meetings to find out how everyone feels about
Findings: Many players reported difficulty in maintaining positivity, especially after mistakes or
Goal:
Help Ferris State Football players enhance their self-talk to remain confident and focused under
pressure, while tracking specific progress through practice and game performance.
Objectives:
- By the end of 2 weeks players will be able to identify and work to stop negative self-talk.
- By the end of week four, players will have integrated at least two personalized positive
- By the end of the program, players will report feeling more confident and focused,
The above program is based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Theory, which states that
the way one thinks determines the way one acts. Players can learn to manage negative self-talk
and replace such self-defeating thoughts with positive ones to enhance confidence levels and
keep a clear head under pressure. Needless to say, this fits perfectly within a football setting
- Share examples of positive vs. negative self-talk, like “I’m going to crush this play” vs.
- Group exercise: Players write down common negative thoughts they’ve had and
- Practice scenarios where players use positive self-talk, like pre-snap focus or recovering
from mistakes.
- Help players create personal self-talk phrases they can rely on during games.
Guided Visualization: Players picture themselves succeeding while repeating their personalized
self-talk.
On-Field Coaching: Real-time feedback from coaches regarding positive self-talk during
practice.
Duration: 6 weeks
Sessions
Week 5 and 6: Game Application - Worked in with the usual practice and post game meetings
Long-Term: Watching composure, confidence, and focus throughout the season to allow for
evaluation. Progress will be reviewed with the coaches and players throughout the course of the
season.
This program can make a real difference for Ferris State football players. It's about giving
players the mental tools to be able to handle adversity, stay focused, and perform at their best. If
this sounds like something that will be beneficial, let me know and let's make it happen!
Contact:
Jack Schierholz
970-389-6422