Duke University – Desmond Scott #33

 Successful football players understands the importance of strengthening their football mind, building football confidence and mental toughness. When learning to develop these skills it helps to draw knowledge from successful athletes who possess these aspects of the game.

Desmond Scott has played football for sixteen years, and is currently in his 4^th year as a running back for Duke University.  He is known as an every down back, which threatens opponents with his versatility to both run and catch the ball in any situation. Desmond possesses a great football mind and is mentally tough when playing the game of football.

When asked do you think being mentally tough is important to succeed in football, he said “Oh most definitely. I think being mentally tough in any facet of life is key. Because if you don’t believe and have the mental capacity to know your worth and how well you can do, then you’re not going to reach your full potential either on or off the field”.  This belief exhibits the fact that a mentally tough athlete is not just mentally tough on the playing field.  They are a mentally tough individual.  Working to improve mental toughness not only improves your play in the game, but carries over into everyday life as well.

Scott went on to say that mental toughness means “you know who you are as a person.  You know what you can and cannot do. You don’t let anyone persuade you to think differently”. He also said on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the highest) the need to be mentally tough in football is a 10.  He does not mean to disregard coach’s advice, but rather outside influences that may have a negative impact.  Learning to keep your mind positively focused on the aspects of your game within your control is critical.  Energy spent worrying about ways to mess up, or something you cannot change is wasted energy. Scott went on to say being mentally tough in all positions of football is the key to succeed.

Scott shared how he maintains a positive mindset and focus on game days.   He said “From the moment I wake up on game day, it’s on for me until I am about to walk on the field.  Whether I’m not talking or I’m just in my own zone. Whether it is  praying, just thinking about what’s going to happen in the game; what I did earlier that week.  Scott said “my mental game preparation is pretty consistent, not that I actually think I have to do this do that step by step but I’ve  been doing it since I’ve been in middle school so it a habit for me to do.

 The transition from high school superstar to an athlete at the collegiate ranks proves difficult for some players.  Scott offers advice to his teammates to help them through the transition.     He tell them, “Listen to your coaches and make sure you’re having fun. Once the fun stops, that’s when the problems start.”  He adds it is also important to seek help if problems do start.

As a player progresses through the ranks of elementary school, to high school, college and possibly professional, there are always injuries, obstacles, and stressors to address. Keeping priorities focused on building your football mind to reach peak performance can often time be difficult. The use of a mental game coach is a positive option for overcoming issues that may be preventing you from being mentally tough and reaching peak performance.  Scott said, “I think a mental game coach is good for any aspect of the game whether you’re struggling, or even when things are going well and you get overconfident”. Using a mental game coach is extremely beneficial to athletes for developing  mental toughness, their football mind and confidence.

One practice for maintaining football confidence and building mental toughness is the development of a “catch phrase”.  This should be something short and simple, that easily brings your mind back from any distracters, and creates a positive sense of strength and purpose.  Scott  develop his catch phrase with his high school coach, and it is “I’m better than you”.  He goes on to say  it is not meant to sound cocky or conceded, but merely to maintain a positive confidence level.

The use of mental game coaching help build players so they can achieve their full athletic potential and reach peak performance. Scott plans to continue his football career after he graduates from Duke University with a degree in history and minors in African studies and education.  He is clearly a mentally tough individual with goals both on and off the football field.

When asked how he perceives himself and his success, he humbly responds, “I’m proud of the man I’m becoming, with both the help of my parents (Tony and Lisa Scott), and the university.”

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