High self-confidence is the most important quality to possess in any sport. It's even more important in individual sports such as tennis, golf, bowling, or shooting where you are the only person responsible for the outcome. When confident, you are more relaxed, don't get scared or intimidated, and can let go of errors faster. Confidence helps you focus on the positive, maintain positive thoughts, and trust your ability in crucial situations.

But confidence can be elusive for many athletes. One day you have it and the next day it's gone. What is confidence? Confidence is the belief in your ability to play well. Specifically, it's a belief in your ability to perform the skills that are important to your sport. Confidence develops from several sources, such as past success, quality practice, and knowing your have physical talent.

Many athletes have different levels of confidence for competition and practice. Many good practice players have high confidence in practice, but they lack "playing" confidence. Playing confidence comes from performing well on the field, court, or course. To develop playing confidence, you have to perform up to your ability in competition and perform just as well if not better than your do in practice. Here are five keys to developing confidence:

1. Always Believe in Yourself
Does one bad shot or play ruin your confidence? For many athletes, confidence varies from moment to moment depending on the situation. But this is not true confidence. True confidence is lasting and stable. Long-lasting confidence should not be influenced by one strike-out or missed jumper. Confidence should be based past success, many hours of practice, and your physical talent. Remember that you have "paid the dues" and deserve the right to be confident.

2. Focus on What You Can Control
Many players let external circumstances control their confidence. Does bad weather hurt your confidence? Do you feel intimidated when you play an away game? Be confident in your ability regardless of the circumstances you are faced with. Channel your energy into the things you can control such as the quality of your practice and getting mentally prepared to play your best.

3. Think, Feel, and Act Confident
True confidence must be earned, but there are times when doubt destroys confidence. Even pro athletes can lose their confidence in spite of the success that they have experienced. Confident thinking is not pumping yourself up with false confidence. Be proactive. Don't wait to make a good play or sink your first basket before you can feel confident. Thinking, feeling, and acting confident is the entire package. True confidence is supported with the corresponding thoughts, feelings, and actions.

4. Prepare to be Confident
One way to gain confidence is to put in the preparation and the time necessary to feel confident when you step on the field, court, or course. Do your homework; physical preparation is a good foundation for confidence. Also, make sure you have the right equipment, study your opponents, and develop a game plan. Mentally prepare for any situation that you may encounter by imagining what you might be faced with and how to stay on track. It's the little things that add up to boost your confidence.

5. Focus on Success
Imagine success or picture in your mind what you want rather than what you fear. You cannot feel confident if you search for reasons why you won't play well. Imagining success means looking for reasons to perform well rather than excuses to perform poorly, expecting good things to come rather than fearing what might go wrong, and seeing yourself playing well rather than visualizing mistakes and poor play.