Demystifying Mental Toughness 308 Confidence In Ability: When Coaches and Athletes Think Differently
Mar 6, 2026
A look at what happens when a highly confident coach meets an athlete who doubts their ability. Explores how confident coaching can unintentionally raise anxiety and disengagement. Introduces a relationship framework for building trust, communication and alignment. Covers practical shifts like asking more questions, focusing on process goals and creating psychological safety so confidence can grow.
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When Coach Confidence Becomes Overconfidence
- A highly confident coach can unintentionally increase athlete anxiety when overconfidence becomes inflexibility.
- David Charlton notes this shows as intolerance of mistakes, blunt communication, and assuming playing ability equals coaching ability.
How Low Self-Efficacy Warps Athlete Thinking
- Low self-efficacy drives athletes to interpret criticism as proof they don't belong, producing avoidance and pessimism.
- Charlton links this to Bandura: low-efficacy athletes fear mistakes, compare constantly, and withdraw from help-seeking.
Relationship Dynamics Decide Confidence Outcomes
- The coach–athlete relationship can either close or widen the confidence gap through closeness, commitment, complementarity, and co-orientation.
- Charlton uses Jowett's 3+1 Cs to show perception shapes whether feedback becomes help or threat.