If you’re a teenage athlete who struggles with overthinking and wants to play with more calm and confidence, then this tool will help you unlock your best performance. And if you’re a parent who wants to help your athlete play freely without adding pressure, this tool will help you know what to say — and not to.

What Is This Tool?

This game-changing concept comes from W. Timothy Gallwey’s book, The Inner Game of Tennis. Inside every athlete are two selves:

Self 1 is the inner critic, the voice that says “Don’t mess up,” “Why did you do that?” or “You should be better.”

Self 2 is the doer—your body’s natural intelligence. It knows how to run, pass, shoot, swing. It performs best when Self 1 is quiet.

Gallwey’s key insight? Self 1 often gets in the way of your natural ability. Confidence is learning to trust Self 2.

Why It Matters for Athletes

If your confidence crumbles under pressure, it’s probably not because you lack skill—it’s because Self 1 is yelling in your head.

You’ve probably felt the difference:

  • At practice, you’re calm and fluid.
  • In games, you tighten up and overthink.

That’s Self 1 taking over. Learning to quiet that voice can help you play with freedom.

3 Simple Steps for Teen Athletes

1. Catch the Critic

Start noticing when Self 1 is talking. It might sound like:

“You’re blowing it,”

“Don’t miss,” or

“Why can’t you get this right?”

2. Name It. Detach From It.

Say silently: “That’s Self 1 talking.” You don’t need to fight it—just notice it, label it, and let it pass.

3. Shift Focus to Self 2

Self 2 doesn’t use words—it uses feel. So shift your attention to something sensory:

  • The feel of your feet in your shoes
  • The rhythm of your breath
  • The seams on the ball Let Self 2 take the lead.

Athlete Reminder

Self 2 already knows what to do. Your job is to stop interfering.

“The greatest efforts in sports come when the mind is as still as a glass lake.” — Timothy Gallwey

Parent-Specific Action Steps

1. Be a Self 2 Ally

Avoid over-coaching before games or rehashing mistakes after. When your athlete hears, “You should have done X,” it often activates Self 1.

2. Help Your Athlete Shift Focus

Encourage them to focus on feel, fun, or presence rather than pressure. For example:

“Go out there and enjoy the rhythm today. Trust your instincts.”

3. Celebrate Effort, Not Perfection

Instead of praising results, reinforce the athlete’s connection to Self 2:

“I loved how fluid you looked out there.”

“You looked like you were really having fun.”

For Coaches & Families

Post this quote in your home or locker room:

🧠 “Trust the body. Quiet the mind.”

Wrap-Up

When you train your athlete to trust Self 2, you’re not just improving performance—you’re teaching them to be resilient under pressure, joyful in the game, and confident in their ability.

And when you, as a parent, quiet your own inner coach and become a supporter of Self 2, you give your athlete the greatest gift: the freedom to thrive.