Explain the impact that low confidence can have on an athlete and include a sporting example in your explanation.

Low confidence can significantly impact an athlete's performance, decision-making, and overall mental health. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

1. Performance: Confidence is directly linked to an athlete's performance. When an athlete lacks confidence, they may doubt their abilities, leading to hesitation and underperformance. For example, a basketball player with low confidence might hesitate to take a shot, even when they're in a good position, which could result in missed scoring opportunities.

2. Decision Making: Confidence also affects an athlete's decision-making abilities. Athletes with low confidence may second-guess their decisions, leading to errors. For instance, a soccer player with low confidence might doubt their initial decision to pass the ball, leading to a delay that allows the opposition to intercept.

3. Mental Health: Low confidence can also lead to stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. These can further affect an athlete's performance and overall well-being. For example, a gymnast with low confidence might constantly worry about their performance, leading to increased stress levels and potentially affecting their ability to focus and perform.

4. Sporting Example: A clear example of this can be seen in the career of tennis player Andre Agassi. Despite his immense talent, Agassi struggled with confidence issues early in his career, which he has spoken about openly. These issues affected his performance and decision-making on the court. However, after working with a sports psychologist to build his confidence, Agassi was able to overcome these issues and went on to become one of the most successful tennis players of his generation.

In conclusion, confidence is a crucial factor in sports. Athletes with low confidence can struggle with performance, decision-making, and mental health issues. Therefore, it's important for athletes to work on building their confidence to reach their full potential.