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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