EA Gold reflections...

Coach Claire and I were at the EA Gold this past weekend, and as we discussed player performances, "self talk" became a frequent subject.... With that in mind, I dug this out of my files - it is a relatively simple blog post (if a little dated) on best practice for players and the manner in which they deal with their internal dialogue. As always, if something sparks interest, bring it up in your next lesson or squad, the coaches, me especially, always enthusiastic to talk about mental skills.

When you’re competing at an modereately advanced level in squash, how you talk to yourself on court can make the difference between winning and falling short. Positive self-talk is one of the key mental skills top athletes use to stay confident, aggressive, and locked-in during matches.

In US Squash events after you establish a profile matches get tighter and pressure gets real — that’s where smart self-talk comes in. Using powerful phrases like “I’m tough to beat” or “every rally is mine” can help build a competitive mindset — the belief that you can always find a way to win, no matter the opponent. Research shows that athletes who adopt this mindset perform better under stress and recover faster from mistakes (Yeager & Dweck, 2012).

When momentum shifts or the pressure is on, short, sharp self-talk helps you stay fierce. Saying things like “next point” after an error or “attack the ball” before a serve return keeps your mind focused on what’s next, instead of dwelling on what just happened.

Positive self-talk also drives the training grind. Pushing through tough solo sessions or heavy fitness blocks isn’t easy — reminding yourself “this is where champions are made” or “pain now, payoff later” keeps your motivation high when others might quit (Thelwell, Greenlees, & Weston, 2006).

Bottom line: self-talk isn't just feel-good — it’s a weapon. Build it into your match routines, your training, your warm-ups. If you want help crafting a few personal power phrases, talk to us next time you’re at the club. Let’s get after it!

p.s. Here’s a short "Self-Talk Power Phrases" if you're looking for "best practices". They're VERY generic, but give a flavor for what you might like to consider.

Before the match:

• "I’m ready to compete."

• "I’ve done the work — trust it."

During tough rallies:

• "Stay sharp."

• "Pressure every shot."

After mistakes:

• "Next point. Reset."

• "Tougher after every error."

When you're winning:

• "Stay on it. Keep pushing."

• "One point at a time."

Between games:

• "Adapt. Attack. Dominate."

During training:

• "Train like a champion."

• "Effort today, success tomorrow."