Most performance issues are not skill issues.
Athletes hesitate. One mistake lingers. Confidence drops — even when the work has been done. Effort stays high, but performance becomes inconsistent.
Parents see it clearly. The ability is there. The preparation is there. What’s missing is a repeatable process for confidence.
Confidence is not personality-based and it is not something athletes either have or don’t have. It is a trainable skill — and when trained properly, it elevates every other part of performance.
As a father of three daughters who all became college athletes, I learned early that talent opens doors — but confidence determines whether an athlete walks through them.
Injuries, pressure, roles, expectations — every athlete faces moments that test belief. Without structure, those moments derail development.
That realization led to the 5S Confidence Framework: Scan, Sample, Strengthen, Structure, Support. When confidence is trained intentionally, athletes stop reacting and start competing with control.
Confidence affects how athletes handle adversity, feedback, pressure, and leadership. When it’s trained early, it becomes an advantage that lasts far beyond one season.
Yes — I Want My Athlete to Build Real Confidence
For parents looking for more…pick up Operate UnLOCKed, the groundbreaking book from Sports EyeQ founder, Christian Lockhart. Parents have used the UnLOCKed framework to not only help themselves but discover new ways to engage and communicate with their student-athletes.
