The Power of Cue Words in Sport Psychology: How Simple Phrases Drive Peak Performance
In competitive sports, success often comes down to small details. Athletes train for years to master technical skills, physical conditioning, and tactical strategies, but mental preparation can be the decisive factor in high-pressure moments. One mental performance tool used widely in sport psychology is cue words.
Cue words are short, purposeful phrases or single words that help athletes focus their attention, regulate emotions, and execute skills with precision. While they may seem simple, cue words can have a powerful impact on performance when applied strategically.
What Are Cue Words?
Cue words are verbal triggers that athletes say to themselves — either silently or out loud — to focus attention on a specific task, technique, or mindset. They are typically:
Short: Usually one to three words for easy recall.
Meaningful: Personally relevant and tied to a specific performance goal.
Action-oriented: Often linked to what the athlete needs to do rather than what to avoid.
In essence, cue words are mental shortcuts that help athletes align their thoughts with desired actions, reducing the chance of distraction or overthinking.
Why Do Cue Words Matter in Sport Psychology?
Sport psychology research shows that self-talk influences both an athlete’s mental state and their physical execution. Cue words are a specialized form of self-talk, designed to be quick, focused, and instantly actionable.
Key benefits include:
Improved Focus: They help filter out distractions, especially in high-stakes situations.
Consistency: Repetition of the same cue helps reinforce automatic skill execution.
Emotional Regulation: Cue words can calm nerves, boost confidence, or spark intensity when needed.
Motor Learning Support: They serve as reminders for proper form and technical details during skill acquisition.
For example, a sprinter might think “drive” at the start of a race to initiate explosive movement, while a golfer might use “smooth” to maintain a relaxed swing.
Types of Cue Words
Cue words can be classified in several ways, depending on their purpose and timing.
1. Instructional Cue Words
These remind the athlete of specific technical actions. They are especially helpful during the learning phase or when fine-tuning technique. Examples:
A basketball player saying “elbow” to keep shooting form correct.
A swimmer repeating “reach” to ensure full extension in the stroke.
2. Motivational Cue Words
These spark effort, determination, or self-belief. They are often used in moments when energy or morale needs a boost. Examples:
A runner repeating “push” during the final lap.
A weightlifter using “strong” before a heavy lift.
3. Emotional Regulation Cue Words
These help athletes stay composed, manage anxiety, or remain patient. They are particularly useful in sports requiring precision under pressure. Examples:
A golfer thinking “calm” before a putt.
A gymnast using “breathe” before starting a routine.
When to Use Cue Words
The effectiveness of cue words depends largely on timing and context. They can be used:
Before Performance: To set the right mental state and prepare for action.
Example: A tennis player whispering “attack” before serving aggressively.
During Performance: To maintain focus and guide execution mid-action.
Example: A soccer player saying “scan” while dribbling to remember to check surroundings.
After Mistakes: To reset mentally and move forward.
Example: A baseball pitcher using “next” after giving up a hit.
In Training: To ingrain habits that will carry over into competition.
Example: A sprinter repeating “explode” at every start in practice to make it second nature.
How to Develop Effective Cue Words
Creating cue words is more than just picking random phrases — they need to be tailored to the athlete and their specific performance needs.
Steps to Create Effective Cue Words:
Identify Key Performance Moments
Break down the sport into critical moments where focus or action is most important. This could be the start of a race, a decisive shot, or a recovery period after a mistake.
Choose Action-Oriented Words
Focus on what you want to do, not what to avoid. For example, “relax shoulders” is better than “don’t tense up.”
Keep It Short and Simple
One to three words are ideal — anything longer becomes hard to recall in fast-paced situations.
Make It Personal
The word or phrase should resonate emotionally or mentally with the athlete, making it easy to connect with under pressure.
Practice in Training
Cue words only work if they’re ingrained in the athlete’s routine. Using them consistently in practice makes them automatic in competition.
Common Mistakes with Cue Words
Even though cue words are simple, there are pitfalls athletes should avoid. These are some common mistakes often discussed in my online Denver therapy practice:
Too Many Words: Overloading the brain with multiple cues at once can cause confusion.
Negative Phrasing: “Don’t miss” focuses on the mistake instead of the desired action.
Changing Them Too Often: Consistency is key — constantly switching words can prevent habit formation.
Lack of Practice: Waiting until competition to try cue words is unlikely to yield results.
What is the Science Behind Cue Words?
Cue words work through a concept called attentional focus. Research in sport psychology shows that directing attention to key external or internal cues enhances skill execution, especially under pressure. By reducing cognitive load, cue words allow athletes to bypass overthinking and rely on automatic motor patterns developed through training.
Additionally, motivational cue words tap into the brain’s emotional centers, triggering physiological responses like increased adrenaline or reduced muscle tension, depending on the intended effect.
Words of Encouragement from a Denver Sport Psychologist
Cue words might seem like small tools in the vast world of sport psychology, but as a sports mental health therapist, I recognize the game-changing impact they have. When carefully chosen and consistently practiced, they help athletes sharpen focus, control emotions, and perform with greater consistency.
From a swimmer pushing through the final lap with “kick,” to a golfer calming their mind with “smooth,” cue words turn complex mental and physical demands into simple, actionable prompts. In the heat of competition, sometimes all it takes is one word to make the difference between a good performance and a great one.
Unlock Your Potential With Cue Words Learned Through Sport Psychology in Denver, CO
Sometimes the simplest phrases can have the greatest impact. Cue words help athletes sharpen their focus, control emotions, and stay mentally prepared to perform at their best. With the right sport psychology strategies, you can use these powerful tools to build confidence, manage stress, and achieve consistency in competition.
At Sunrise Counseling, we know how much pressure athletes face to perform, and how mental distractions can get in the way of success. Our Denver-based sport psychologist works with athletes to integrate cue words and other proven techniques into their training. Together, we’ll create a personalized mental game plan designed to boost your concentration, reduce frustration, and give you the edge you need when it matters most.
Don’t let stress or negative self-talk stand in the way of your goals. With professional support, you can strengthen your mental toolkit and harness the power of cue words to unlock your peak performance.
Here’s how to start online sport psychology in Denver, CO:
Discover how cue words and sport psychology can transform your performance when you book your initial consultation.
Work with an experienced sport psychologist in Denver, CO who understands the unique challenges athletes face.
Build your mental edge with cue words so you can stay calm, focused, and confident in every competition.
Other Services Sunrise Counseling Provides in Colorado
Cue words are just one powerful technique in sport psychology that can help athletes focus and perform at their best. But we know that success in sports—and in life—often requires addressing more than just performance. At Sunrise Counseling, we provide a variety of mental health services to support athletes and non-athletes alike in building confidence, resilience, and balance.
From our Dallas, TX office and through convenient online therapy across Colorado and other PSYPACT states, our therapists help clients navigate both the mental demands of competition and the personal challenges that affect overall well-being.
In addition to sport psychology, we offer support for anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. We also provide counseling for men, women, children, couples, and families. Our services include specialized care for anger management, pain management, OCD, postpartum depression, miscarriage, and infertility. For clients who prefer to integrate spirituality into their therapy, we provide faith-based counseling, and we are proud to serve Spanish-speaking clients with culturally sensitive care.
No matter what challenges you are facing, our team is here to provide the guidance and tools you need for long-term growth and healing. Explore our blog for more insights, and reach out when you’re ready to take the next step toward better mental health.
About the Author
Dr. James Ramarushton is a licensed psychologist in the states of Colorado and Texas. He also holds PSYPACT certification, which allows him to work with clients remotely in the majority of states in the US. Dr. Ramarushton graduated with a PhD in Counseling Psychology and a specialization in Sport Psychology from the University of North Texas, one of the premier sport psychology programs in the country. He is also certified with the Association of Applied Sport Psychology as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. A former collegiate athlete himself, Dr. Ramarushton considers himself fortunate to work in the world of sports and help athletes.