Remaining confident in sports challenges

After commenting on Barca inspired by Guardiola blog by David Dixon I just had to write an article on something I witnessed and then read about a year ago.

It's regarding cricket and how different actions,in my opinion, can create or destroy confidence in a sprotsperson even at the very highest level.

Micheal Vaughan, former Engalnd captain, and probably my favourite England player in the last 20 years will hopefully be remembered for captaining the Ashes victory of 2005 or how he burst onto the scene scoring massive hundreds against India and then Austrailia.  But one memory sticks into my mind all too often.

During the tests last summer against the South African's Vaughan was under immense pressure surrounding him being England Captain, his lack of runs etc.  About 30mins after a certain dismissal the image I have is the camera focusing in on Vaughan on the balcony, all alone, looking pretty miserable and also reading a copy of the Daily Star.

I personally am not a fan of news and tabloid press.  It only takes a quick flick through to read about murders, rape, terriorist attacks etc to really make you feel like not going outside much.  The worst thing is that in the paper were pictures a Vaughan struggling and questions regarding his future.  I mean talk about digging a depressing hole.  It frustrates me as a player of his quality sould be getting advice on focusing thorugh bad times.  We can't do things alone we need guidance which for Vaughan I believe was lacking, especailly at that time in the England sqaud.

On the flip side I read an article about Geoffrey Boycott.  Within this was a commet that showed me what players can do in order to maintain momentum and confidence in their games.

When Boycott was out for 265 versus India he immediately collered 4 of his friends and asked i f they would join him in the nets.  He then ordered each one of them to bowl (as best they could) the same ball which just got Boycott out so he made sure it did not happen again.  How many players would do this after scoring 265?  What benefit would it have done Vaughan had he just simply practised and corrcted his mistakes instead of the above?.  What also stood out was that Boycott did not beat himslf up and sit wondering what was going on.  He was pro-active and got others involved around him to help him.

I can't help thinking that toward the end of his reign as England captain Vaughan was missing some of the above which had he had may have prolonged his England reign which I would have loved to see.  I feel that if you embrace some of the confidence points above it's much easier to ride through tough times we all go through rather than allowing confidence to be a pane of glass waiting to be broken.  It's easy when things are going well but if you stay mentally strong, work hard and surround yourself with help confidence will remain in you.