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 it into each … [Read more...] about Coping with Pregame Anxiety
Performing well under Pressure
BIG Competitions Mindset for Athletes
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: The gymnast who hopes to nail her routine in a championship meet.The golfer who dreams of sinking a birdie putt to win a golf tournament.The basketball player who wants to sink the final shot to … [Read more...] about BIG Competitions Mindset for Athletes
How UVA Handled Pressure Successfully
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 … [Read more...] about How UVA Handled Pressure Successfully
How Parental Expectations Can Lead to Pressure
How Sports Parents Can Support Their Athletes "Everybody is counting on me," "I don’t want to disappoint my parents," "My parents get so mad at me after a bad game..." Do any of these statements sound familiar? You may have expressed these sentiments to a teammate or deal with these thoughts internally on a regular basis. Often, parents have … [Read more...] about How Parental Expectations Can Lead to Pressure
How to Mentally Prepare for the Big Game
Are You A Gamer? Are you a gamer and raise your performance in the “big” game? Why is it that some teams play great all season long but can’t seem to pull out a victory when it matters most? Most teams fail to win the big game because of expectation and pressure... You tell yourself, “This is the Championship game; the biggest game of the … [Read more...] about How to Mentally Prepare for the Big Game