SELF'-CONFIDENCE & SPORTS PERFORMANCE

Self'-Confidence

and Sports Performance

DEBORAH L. FELTZ

Michigan State University

Self-confidence

athletes 'success; in contrast, lack ofSC seems to be closely associated with athletic failure. Thus, confidence is an importantfactor

that distinguishes successful athletes from unsuccessful ones in terms of both their mental states as well as their performances.

However, the precise nature of

The term self-confidence refers to one's belief that he or she can successfully execute a desired behavior

of "T II get the job done"). Feltz argued that the exact relationships of

clarified in a satisfactory manner. To promote our understanding of the precise nature of these relationships, she first presented

several definitions of

self-esteem, and performance expectancies. Feltz presented three of the major theoretical approaches available at that time for

studying these relationships: Bandura

confidence. She not only described the theoretical approaches but also provided extensive research evidence in sport and reviewed

some relevant criticisms. Feltz summarized and compared these three approaches and derived some important conclusions referring

to the (at that time) updated scientific status of the relationships between

This seminal chapter did not, of course, completely resolve the riddle of

the theoretical knowledge relevant to

this area, which is theoretically intriguing and has a substantial practical importance for those actively involved in sport.(SC) is one of the most cited factors thought to affect athletic performance. SC is said to playa critical role inSC was quite unclear until the publication of Feltz's seminal chapter on this issue.(i.e., his or her beliefSC and performance in sport have not been scientificallySC and briefly discussed them with reference to some related terms, such as perceived ability, self-concept,'s self-efficacy theory, Harter's perceived competence model, and Vealey 's concept of sportSC and sport performance.SC in sport. However, Feltz organized and presentedSC in sport at that time and undoubtedly had a profound influence on many researchers in