'Confidence isn’t something you wait for - it comes from doing the work.' - Jason Roy
Confidence in sport is rarely constant.
For every run of form, there’s a dip. For every period where everything feels natural, there’s a phase where nothing quite clicks.
For Jason Roy, navigating those swings has been a defining part of his career.
WHAT I’VE LEARNED: JASON ROY
Jason's game is built on instinct, freedom and aggression - but maintaining that mindset isn’t always straightforward.
“When things are going well, it feels easy,” he says.
“But when you’re out of form, that’s when you really find out about yourself.
“You can either start doubting everything, or you can go back to what you know works.
“For me, it’s about simplifying things - trusting my basics and not overcomplicating it.
“Confidence isn’t something that just appears. It comes from preparation, from repetition, from putting in the work even when things aren’t going your way.
“And when you get that one moment - one shot, one innings - that can bring it all back.”
Jason's approach reflects a key reality of elite sport: confidence is often the result, not the starting point.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
Sports psychologist Dr Steve Peters, author of The Chimp Paradox, explains why confidence can fluctuate so dramatically.
“Confidence is closely linked to perceived control,” he says.
“When athletes feel in control of their preparation and their actions, confidence increases. When they lose that sense of control, doubt creeps in.
”That’s why simplifying under pressure is so powerful.
“Going back to basics helps quiet the emotional part of the brain and allows rational thinking to take over.”
THREE PRINCIPLES TO TAKE AWAY
1. Confidence follows action: don’t wait to feel good - build it through repetition
2. Simplify under pressure: strip things back to what you do best
3. Trust your process: your preparation is your anchor when form dips
