E IN FORGE

Efficacy

Trust the skills you have built and use evidence to support that trust.

Remember evidence | Choose | Commit

WHAT IT CAN LOOK LIKE

Remembering evidence from training

Trusting a chosen skill under pressure

Committing to action against a strong opponent

WATCH IT IN A CHAMPION

Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz describes meeting pressure by trusting his preparation and committing to the moment.

Use evidence, choose and commit.Sporting examples are editorial and do not imply participation in or endorsement of SportsSignum.

NOW SPOT YOUR MOMENT

Isha sees a highly ranked opponent and forgets the evidence from her own training. She changes her game before the first point.

Efficacy is earned trust in usable skills. It is different from believing the result will go your way.

SEE THE SKILL IN THREE MOMENTS

Competition momentWhat shows upUseful response

Strong opponentChanges normal game too earlyRecall a recent rally pattern that worked and commit to it.

Break pointDoubts the second serveUse evidence from target practice and choose the serve.

Several errorsStops trusting the forehandRecall one adjustment that worked in training and swing to the chosen target.

MAKE IT SPECIFIC

TOO VAGUE

I just need more confidence.

USEFUL

Before a break point, I will recall hitting 14 of 20 kick serves to the backhand target, choose that serve and commit to the swing.

TRY IT ON COURT

Collect proof from training and competition.

WORKBOOK EXERCISE

Get the step-by-step exercise, reflection prompts and four-week training plan in the Mental Toughness Workbook.

Choose one action and test it during practice before adding more.