A positive outlook boosts confidence, reduces anxiety, and enhances focus, leading to better performance—besides, roping when you’re feeling good is a whole lot more fun than roping when you’re feeling down. Eight-time NFR qualifier Justin Maass shares his tips for developing a strong mental game.
1. Reframe your self-talk. Focus on what you want to do, not what you don’t want to do.
“The power of the human mind is unbelievable. I like talking about what you need to do instead of what you don’t need to do. I’m telling you, if you think Don’t pull on my horse when I nod my head, nine times out of 10, you’re going to pull on your horse when you nod your head. Don’t think Don’t drop my elbow; instead, think Keep my elbow up. It’s the positive end of it instead of the negative end of it.”
2. Struggling with your roping? Go back to the basics.
“I went through quite a few slumps when I was rodeoing. If I was having a problem with my catch loop being sloppy or missing more than I should, I would get the hay bale out and rope it. I would go back to the beginning of the basics of when my dad taught me how to rope the dummy.”
3. Enter up even if you’re in a slump.
“I think we get in our own way a lot. Something goes a little bit wrong and then we allow the negative thoughts to creep up and that snowballs. I hear people say, ‘Well, I’m not entering until I get out of the slump.’ That theory never made a whole lot of sense to me. I would try to rope my way out of a slump. I’d find a backyard jackpot somewhere and just try to make good practice runs. It only takes one good run to create a positive energy and mindset that carries over.”
More from Maass on Roping.com
- Tie-Down Roping Practice Arena Setup
- Practice Session: Green Calf Horse
- 3-Year-Old’s First Day Outside the Box
The pros share their secrets to developing a winning mentality on Roping.com. Hone your mental focus, resilience, and confidence for improved roping performance. View the full Tie-Down Mental Game library here.
