{"id":14824,"date":"2022-07-24T10:49:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-24T14:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=14824"},"modified":"2025-06-04T07:17:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T11:17:15","slug":"how-to-start-firing-on-all-cylinders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-start-firing-on-all-cylinders\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start Firing on All Cylinders"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/basketball-image-big.jpg\" alt=\"Shooter's Mindset\" class=\"wp-image-11218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/basketball-image-big.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/basketball-image-big-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Learn_How_to_Best_Prepare_for_Competition\"><\/span>Learn How to Best Prepare for Competition <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Article Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-start-firing-on-all-cylinders\/#Learn_How_to_Best_Prepare_for_Competition\" >Learn How to Best Prepare for Competition<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-start-firing-on-all-cylinders\/#The_Snowball_Effect\" >The Snowball Effect<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-start-firing-on-all-cylinders\/#Professional_Sports_and_Mental_Preparation\" >Professional Sports and Mental Preparation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-start-firing-on-all-cylinders\/#Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\" >Related Sports Psychology Articles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-start-firing-on-all-cylinders\/#The_Composed_Athlete\" >The Composed Athlete<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Do you start competitions slow? Some athletes start slowly in competitions because of a lack of pregame <strong>preparation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These athletes go through the motions in pregame and believe they can flip the switch once the competition starts. Unfortunately, this mindset at the start of competition does not help you start well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While you think you can work your way into the physical flow of the game, your lack of mental <strong>preparation<\/strong> will show at the first sign of adversity or pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make matters more challenging, if you start the game slow and your opponents are mentally engaged from the start, you may fall behind quickly and give your opponents the edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Snowball_Effect\"><\/span>The Snowball Effect<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ignoring pregame mental <strong>preparation<\/strong> sets a negative tone for a competition. Early mistakes lead to more errors. These mistakes give your opponents an early advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, you believe you can easily and quickly turn things around. However, your lackadaisical play continues. You mess up routine plays, and your opponents build an early lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After several minutes, you can&#8217;t seem to close the gap in the score. You start feeling pressured not to fall behind by too many points. Nothing seems to go your way, and your opponent&#8217;s lead appears to become insurmountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You become frustrated and make more careless mistakes. You feel overwhelmed, embarrassed, and fear criticism from your coach, teammates, or parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though the competition hasn&#8217;t ended, you think you have lost. You want to walk off the field and end your misery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not being mentally <strong>prepared<\/strong> is like giving your opponent a head start or spotting them points\/goals before the competition or game begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pregame mental <strong>preparation<\/strong> gives you a significant edge and helps you mentally fire on all cylinders from the first pitch, whistle, tip-off, puck drop, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Professional_Sports_and_Mental_Preparation\"><\/span>Professional Sports and Mental Preparation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In a midseason 2022 MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto set a franchise record for runs in a game (28), beating the Sox 28-5. Meanwhile, Boston set a franchise record for most runs allowed in a game (28).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Toronto committed to starting the game with an energized winning mentality. Toronto interim manager John Schneider stated his team made a conscious decision to be mentally and physically <strong>prepared<\/strong> from the game&#8217;s very first pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SCHNEIDER<\/strong>: &#8220;<em>We talked about it before the game, how you can come out a little bit sleepy or you can come out hot. I think we came out hot, obviously.<\/em>&#8220;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Talent alone does not win games or lead to peak performances. Playing at your peak requires conditioning and <strong>preparation<\/strong>. When you commit to a motivated mindset, you will approach pre-game <strong>preparation<\/strong> with the same importance as the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply put, peak performance starts with peak <strong>preparation<\/strong>. Think of how you want to start a competition. What mindset will produce peak results?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During your pregame <strong>preparation<\/strong>, visualize yourself starting the competition with this mindset. See yourself being confident, feeling energized, and firing on all cylinders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, be sure to have your intensity up at a level that you can focus your best and this level is different for each person. Do you need to be fired up or relaxed to have a good start?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-979ef383-5bc7-43ee-b8f9-249663ca1a6c\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\"><\/span>Related Sports Psychology Articles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul id=\"block-05642731-8752-4dbf-9c18-5cc4d276e821\" class=\"wp-block-list has-normal-font-size\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/be-prepared-when-you-go-in-for-a-starter\/\">Be Prepared When You Go in For a Starter&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-mentally-prepare-for-adversity\/\">How to Mentally Prepare for Adversity<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-be-mentally-prepared-for-the-unexpected\/\">How to Be Mentally Prepared for the Unexpected<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-5726d13f-f715-4ca4-8813-2f8a9ebd8bc3\">*Subscribe to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sports-psychology-podcast-by-peaksports-com\/id152566009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a>&nbsp;on iTunes<br>*Subscribe to <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0ynyaalKxbnNmsoeL8gF5X?si=8224669de9b3435b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a> on Spotify<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-281f5afb-980b-4c71-9aa0-11d606b5f7c9\"><strong>Download a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/mental-toughness-report-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free sports psychology report<\/a>&nbsp;to improve your mental game!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-94138e75-d591-4645-bb1d-212cf57a8841\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sport-psychology-training-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about our one-on-one mental game coaching.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Composed_Athlete\"><\/span>The Composed Athlete<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/composed-athlete-small.jpg\" alt=\"The Composed Athlete Workbook &amp; Audio\" class=\"wp-image-19327\" style=\"width:190px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Composed Athlete\u201d is presented on<strong> 80-minute Audio Programs<\/strong> with a <strong>70-page step-by-step workbook<\/strong> that guides you through the program each day. It\u2019s a complete system for conditioning your mind to have <strong>maximum composure in competitio<\/strong>n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<strong>The Composed Athlete<\/strong>\u201d was developed for <strong>any level coach, parent, or junior to professional athlete<\/strong> who wants to improve performance and gain a competitive edge. It does not matter if you are a fledgling junior athlete; or a seasoned professional, plagued with distractions; or you just wanting to learn how to improve your composure\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-8fee86ee\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-df6f9eb5 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-composed-athlete-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-9e238db0 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/collections\/the-confident-athlete-series-digital-download\/products\/the-composed-athlete-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn How to Best Prepare for Competition Do you start competitions slow? Some athletes start slowly in competitions because of a lack of pregame preparation. These athletes go through the motions in pregame and believe they can flip the switch once the competition starts. Unfortunately, this mindset at the start of competition does not help you start well. &#8230; <a title=\"How to Start Firing on All Cylinders\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-start-firing-on-all-cylinders\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Start Firing on All Cylinders\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[125,250],"class_list":["post-14824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","tag-pregame-routine","tag-sports-psychology"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.5.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn How to Best Prepare for Competition. Peak performance starts with peak preparation. 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