{"id":15467,"date":"2023-04-20T11:43:47","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T15:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=15467"},"modified":"2025-06-04T05:27:29","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T09:27:29","slug":"how-to-win-close-competitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-win-close-competitions\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Win Close Competitions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\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\/2023\/04\/how-to-win.jpg\" alt=\"How to Win Close Competitions\" class=\"wp-image-15468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/how-to-win.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/how-to-win-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=\"How_do_Long_Games_Impact_your_Performance\"><\/span>How do Long Games Impact your Performance?<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-win-close-competitions\/#How_do_Long_Games_Impact_your_Performance\" >How do Long Games Impact your Performance?<\/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-win-close-competitions\/#How_to_win_the_game_of_attrition\" >How to win the game of attrition?<\/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-win-close-competitions\/#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-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-win-close-competitions\/#The_Composed_Athlete\" >The Composed Athlete<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>More than physical factors, mental factors affect the outcome of close games. Back-and-forth games are often a game of attrition or who can wear down their opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some athletes feel more comfortable during close <strong>competitions<\/strong> than other athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, some basketball players are better able to focus when the lead changes hands several times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some golfers remain confident when they rise or fall on the leaderboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can battle until the end of a competition when mentally prepared for tough competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We recently received an email from an experienced tennis player who asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;How can I stay confident, calm, and focused during a close, long tennis match? The longer the match goes, the more I become nervous, which throws off my game.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many athletes, as highly-contested <strong>competitions <\/strong>go on, the fear of mistakes and losing becomes the focal point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of trying to score, you try not to mess up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You play it safe at critical moments in the competition, but the stress causes your body to tighten, increasing errors and bad decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The player with a mentally tougher mindset during competitive contests often wins by physically and mentally wearing down their opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_win_the_game_of_attrition\"><\/span>How to win the game of attrition?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fully Prepare<\/strong> &#8212; When you are prepared for battle, you will feel comfortable even as <strong>competitions <\/strong>drag on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Work on your Confidence<\/strong> &#8212; Confidence doesn&#8217;t appear out of the clear blue sky. It is a skill that demands attention and effort.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be Determined<\/strong> &#8212; Playing each point with resolve wears down opponents and helps you grind out the victory.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Remain Patient<\/strong> &#8212; One play doesn&#8217;t determine the outcome of a contest. If you lose a point, reset, refocus, maintain your poise, and battle for the next point.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, Daniil Medvedev saved two match points and beat Alexander Zverev 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(7) at the 2023 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters for a third-round victory. The match was back-and-forth in both the second and third sets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Medvedev continued to battle, outlasted Zverev, and won the deciding set tie-break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MEDVEDEV<\/strong>: &#8220;That was a crazy match. He served two times for the match&#8230;I tried to watch a lot of tennis before playing in this tournament, and one thing that I saw is you can come back at any moment&#8230;That&#8217;s what I managed to do.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In all sports, victory doesn&#8217;t always go to the most skilled, the more talented athlete or the team with a better record. The player that often wins is the one who has strong mental skills and is mentally tough enough to wear their opponent down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adding Mental Toughness Training into your regimen increases your chances of winning the battle of attrition during close <strong>competitions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, mental training gives you a distinct advantage over your opponent, especially in the closing minutes of a competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is essential to remind yourself that the player or team who wins a <strong>competition <\/strong>is the one who is better able to battle under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Winning the war of attrition is a matter of winning the small battles. When you win the majority of the small battles, you guarantee yourself a victory.<\/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\/how-to-compete-well-in-pressure-moments\/\">How to Compete Well in Pressure Moments<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-start-firing-on-all-cylinders\/\">How to Start Firing on All Cylinders<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-perform-well-when-leading-the-match\/\">How to Perform Well When Leading the Match<\/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:180px\"\/><\/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>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How do Long Games Impact your Performance? More than physical factors, mental factors affect the outcome of close games. Back-and-forth games are often a game of attrition or who can wear down their opponent. Some athletes feel more comfortable during close competitions than other athletes. For example, some basketball players are better able to focus when the lead &#8230; <a title=\"How to Win Close Competitions\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-win-close-competitions\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Win Close Competitions\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15469,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[318,247],"class_list":["post-15467","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","tag-confidence-in-sports","tag-mental-toughness-in-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.5.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Winning the war of attrition is a matter of winning the small battles. 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