Mental Game of Sports

Coping with Pregame Anxiety

Pregame Anxiety

How to Stay Relaxed before a Competition “I feel like I’m going to be sick to my stomach.” Have you ever had this feeling prior to a competition? Have you ever been so anxious that you feel physically sick in the locker room before a game or competition? For some athletes, this feeling repeats itself as they carry … Sport Psychology Article…

BIG Competitions Mindset for Athletes

Looking Forward for Big Games

How to Approach an Important Competition Do you wish you could play BIG in BIG moments? All athletes want to come up BIG in BIG moments such as: Unfortunately, many athletes not only fall short, but under perform in BIG moments. What happens to athletes in BIG moments? Many athletes believe they just don’t have what it takes … Sport Psychology Article…

Why Top-Seeded Teams Lose

Mental Game Coach During the Pandemic

Have a Champion Mindset for every Competition There are no guarantees in sports. Being the top-seed does not guarantee victory… Being ranked higher than your opponent doesn’t guarantee winning… Having a faster seed time entering a competition doesn’t mean you are assured winning a title… Being the defending champion does not guarantee a repeat. Yet so many top-seeds … Sport Psychology Article…

How UVA Handled Pressure Successfully

Successful Pressure Handling

Are you Successful under Pressure? Each individual athlete responds to pressure in his/her own way. Kobe Bryant stated he played his best when the pressure was on, “Everything negative – pressure, challenges – are all an opportunity for me to rise.” Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr. implied he doesn’t feel pressure, “There is no pressure when you’re making … Sport Psychology Article…

How to Thrive as an Underdog in Sports

Underdog in Sports

The Underdog Mindset in Sports The definition of underdog is a team or individual that has a small chance of winning a competition. Here are a few examples when you may be considered the underdog: Athletes’ or teams’ mindset determines the chances to pull out a win or successful outcome when over-matched. Thus, you want to work on … Sport Psychology Article…

How to Improve your Visualization Skills

Returning to Competition After Injury

Visualization Skills for Athletes Being focused in the present moment is essential for athletic performance, but many athletes struggle with maintaining this type of focus, especially after making mistakes. Often athletes make faulty predictions based on past outcomes. These faulty predictions are accompanied by negative images where the athlete sees themselves messing up in their next game or … Sport Psychology Article…