How Do I Handle Butterflies Before Competition?

Archer:

I normally shoot very well with my husband but when I go to shoot at a competition or shoot off against other women I lose my concentration, get very nervous (butterflies and all!) and usually shoot way below my average. How do I handle this kind of situation? Would love to read any articles you have on archery competition.

Dr. Cohn’s Answer:

This is a sign that your mental game is not up to par with your skills. One area to look at is your competitive self-confidence. Are you confident in practice, but do not have the same confidence when you go compete? Some athletes are comfortable in practice, but when they go to meets become intimidated, scared to fail, get derailed with high expectations, or do not want to let others down. So your situation could be any one of these or another one all together.

Butterflies are not really bad unless they do not go away shortly after the start of the event. This is a sign that you are ready to go and you body is getting into a heightened state of readiness. Maybe you are interpreting the butterflies as something is wrong with you, which takes you “over the edge” and then concentration slips. What is the fear you are holding onto in competition? How do you think you are pressuring yourself?

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