{"id":15814,"date":"2023-09-21T06:42:35","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T10:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=15814"},"modified":"2025-06-03T08:19:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T12:19:45","slug":"be-prepared-when-you-go-in-for-a-starter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/be-prepared-when-you-go-in-for-a-starter\/","title":{"rendered":"Be Prepared When You Go in For a Starter\u00a0"},"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\/10\/coming-off-the-bench.jpg\" alt=\"Be Prepared When You Go in For a Starter\n\" class=\"wp-image-15815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/coming-off-the-bench.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/coming-off-the-bench-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=\"Ever_Been_on_a_Team_That_Lost_its_Star_Player\"><\/span>Ever Been on a Team That Lost its Star Player? <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\/be-prepared-when-you-go-in-for-a-starter\/#Ever_Been_on_a_Team_That_Lost_its_Star_Player\" >Ever Been on a Team That Lost its Star Player?<\/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\/be-prepared-when-you-go-in-for-a-starter\/#The_Harsh_Expectations_of_Living_up_to_the_Star_Player\" >The Harsh Expectations of Living up to the Star Player<\/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\/be-prepared-when-you-go-in-for-a-starter\/#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\/be-prepared-when-you-go-in-for-a-starter\/#The_Confident_Athlete\" >The Confident Athlete<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine how hard it was for the athlete who needed to fill in for that player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether it is for a game or the season, filling in for the top player on your team is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Players rely heavily on their star teammates. They look to those elite players for <strong>leadership<\/strong> and often defer to them late in games. Sometimes, star players are viewed as irreplaceable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you are the one who competes in a star player\u2019s absence, high expectations and pressure can weigh you down.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You believe you need to <strong>BE<\/strong> the player you are replacing. You feel your teammates are relying on you to lead and carry the team on your back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you try to be someone you are not, you are more likely to make uncharacteristic mistakes at critical moments in competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, you are on the team for a reason, and that is because of your skill set. You have to focus on <strong>being yourself.<\/strong> It is crucial for you to know your role and how you will approach performing that role to the best of your abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The New York Jets selected quarterback Zach Wilson, who found himself having to substitute for one of the best players in the league, not an easy task for a player who under performed in his first two years in the NFL.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Harsh_Expectations_of_Living_up_to_the_Star_Player\"><\/span>The Harsh Expectations of Living up to the Star Player<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wilson, the second overall pick in 2021, completed only 55 percent of his passes with 15 touchdowns to 18 interceptions in his two years as a starter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to Wilson\u2019s lack of production, the Jets traded for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to lead the team to a potential Super Bowl. After Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon in the first game of the season, Wilson returned to being the starter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though Wilson is aware of the high expectations, he has simplified his approach to the game.<br><br><strong>WILSON<\/strong>:\u00a0<em>\u201cI think it\u2019s going out there, taking it one play at a time, trusting in my footwork, trusting in what the coaches have been talking about, and we\u2019ll go from there.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wilson also understands that he will make some mistakes like every athlete, but poise and refocusing will be the keys to managing pressure in the spotlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WILSON<\/strong>:\u00a0<em>\u201cYou have to be able to say, \u2018OK, I made a mistake, now what?\u2019 I have to move on, and the team\u2019s relying on me to do my part. For me, I know what I\u2019m capable of, and I feel like I have the belief of the guys in this locker room, so how can we go out there every single day and piece it together one by one?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To be your best, ask yourself, \u201cWhat do I bring to the table?\u201d \u201cWhat can I do to help my team be successful?\u201d Focusing on your game will help you lessen the weight of expectations and pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing who you are as an athlete is crucial when substituting for a star teammate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When competing, you should not think about trying to be the athlete you are replacing. You must play to <strong>YOUR<\/strong> strengths to be on top of <strong>YOUR<\/strong> game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always practice like a starter so when you get your chance you&#8217;ll be ready to take over.<\/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-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\/athletes-who-are-labeled-as-superstars\/\">Athletes Who Are Labeled as Superstars<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/are-you-good-enough-to-start-on-your-team-but-dont\/\">Are You Good Enough to Start on Your Team, but Don\u2019t?<\/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_Confident_Athlete\"><\/span>The Confident 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\/confident-athlete-audio250.jpg\" alt=\"The Confident Athlete Audio and Workbook Program\" class=\"wp-image-19341\" style=\"width:189px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Confident Athlete\u201d consists of 2 audio programs that include 14 days of confidence fueling exercises and a simple to follow workbook that guides you through the 14 days, helps you apply the strategies, and customizes the exercises to your personal needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me help you put a <strong>stop to the confidence leak<\/strong>. You can learn to have greater levels of confidence in competition than you do in practice by identifying the specific ways you undermine your own confidence and <strong>how to convert your practice confidence into COMPETITIVE CONFIDENCE<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Confident Athlete\u201d is a ground-breaking system to teach you how to think like a champion and have ultimate self-confidence every time you step on the playing field, court, track, or course. The confident athletes was <strong>developed for any athlete \u2013 junior to professional \u2013<\/strong>that wants to gain confidence. However, coaches and sports parents can learn how to teach others to perform with ultimate confidence. Use my program if you want to bust a slump or just wanting higher or more consistent levels of self-confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-0b39f7aa\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-a74417ae gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-confident-athlete-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-461ab57c gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/collections\/the-confident-athlete-series-digital-download\/products\/the-confident-athlete-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ever Been on a Team That Lost its Star Player? Imagine how hard it was for the athlete who needed to fill in for that player. Whether it is for a game or the season, filling in for the top player on your team is a formidable task. Players rely heavily on their star teammates. They look to &#8230; <a title=\"Be Prepared When You Go in For a Starter\u00a0\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/be-prepared-when-you-go-in-for-a-starter\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Be Prepared When You Go in For a Starter\u00a0\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15816,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[318,324],"class_list":["post-15814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","tag-confidence-in-sports","tag-focus-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=\"When competing, you should not think about trying to be the athlete you are replacing. 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Cohn\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.peaksports.com\\\/sports-psychology-blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/patrick-cohn-mental-coach-web-sq.jpg\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PeakPerformanceSports\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/PeaksportsCoach\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/sportspsychcoach\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.tiktok.com\\\/@peakperformancesports\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/peaksports\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/MindsetForSports\"],\"description\":\"Mental Performance Coach Dr. Patrick Cohn has helped athletes for over 30 years enhance their performance. 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