{"id":15818,"date":"2023-09-28T06:51:12","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T10:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=15818"},"modified":"2025-06-03T08:16:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T12:16:06","slug":"how-to-stop-overthinking-in-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-stop-overthinking-in-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Stop Overthinking in Competition"},"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\/overthinking.jpg\" alt=\"How to Stop Overthinking in Competition\" class=\"wp-image-15819\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/overthinking.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/overthinking-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=\"When_Does_Thinking_Become_Detrimental\"><\/span>When Does Thinking Become Detrimental?<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-stop-overthinking-in-competition\/#When_Does_Thinking_Become_Detrimental\" >When Does Thinking Become Detrimental?<\/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-stop-overthinking-in-competition\/#How_can_you_move_from_conscious_thought_to_performance_mode_while_competing\" >How can you move from conscious thought to performance mode while competing?<\/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-stop-overthinking-in-competition\/#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-stop-overthinking-in-competition\/#The_Composed_Athlete\" >The Composed Athlete<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Is it even possible to replicate good technique in competition without thinking? &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Technique and mechanics are crucial for both confidence and success in sports. However, mechanics are quite detailed. There are a lot of moving parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a baseball pitcher to throw strikes, there are many technical variables to consider, such as stance on the mound, wind-up, balance, timing, leg drive, hip rotation, arm angle, finger placement, grip pressure, release point, follow-through, velocity, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine pitching in the bottom of the ninth inning with the bases loaded while trying to think about every aspect that makes up sound mechanics. Even thinking about 1-2 components of mechanics is enough to interfere with throwing strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The same is true for all sports. <strong>Overthinking <\/strong>interferes with mechanics, whether it\u2019s a gymnast thinking through their floor routine, a basketball player trying to talk themselves through a free throw, or a golfer over thinking a putt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you give yourself too many verbal instructions, your thoughts interfere with fluid mechanics. In other words, under performance is inevitable when you try to process too much information while competing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a time and place to think about mechanics, and that time is in practice. However, even at some moments in practice, switching from conscious thought to performance mode is beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_you_move_from_conscious_thought_to_performance_mode_while_competing\"><\/span>How can you move from conscious thought to performance mode while competing?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Since you cannot turn your thoughts off, the key is to redirect your focus. There are a number of mental strategies that can help you shift from conscious thought to performance mode, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Implementing verbal performance cues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using relaxation techniques or deep breathing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Utilizing in-game routines<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focusing on a focal point in the arena<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Building trusting skills in your training<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Staying grounded in the present<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields was the 11th pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In his second season, Fields broke many quarterback rushing records, but he struggled as a passer, finishing 31st in the league in completion percentage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the 2023 training camp, the Bear&#8217;s coaching staff worked with Fields to improve his passing game. However, the work has not produced any significant improvement through the first three games of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fields stated he is overloaded with too much information and is <strong>overthinking <\/strong>rather than trusting his instincts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>FIELDS<\/strong>:\u00a0<em>&#8220;[The coaches] are doing their job when they are giving me what to look at, but at the end of the day, I can&#8217;t be thinking about that when the game comes. I prepare myself throughout the week, and then when the game comes, it&#8217;s time to play free at that point. Thinking less and playing more.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Overthinking <\/strong>is a distraction that prevents you from performing like you have trained yourself to compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you let go of the extra thinking, such as \u201cLet it happen,\u201d you can redirect your focus and get into the flow of the game&#8211;allowing you to focus more on tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use self-talk to help prompt you to switch from conscious over thinking mode to performance mode: &#8220;Play on auto pilot.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you notice yourself focusing on mechanics, redirect your attention by reciting your verbal cue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you make a mistake, avoid analyzing your game during competition and instead save it for after the game or the next practice.<\/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-read-and-react-instead-of-overthinking-your-performance\/\">How to Read and React Instead of Overthinking<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-refocus-after-making-mistakes\/\">How to Refocus After Making Mistakes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-high-expectations-sabotage-athletes-mental-game\/\">How High Expectations Sabotage Athletes\u2019 Mental Game<\/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:169px\"\/><\/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>When Does Thinking Become Detrimental? Is it even possible to replicate good technique in competition without thinking? &nbsp; Technique and mechanics are crucial for both confidence and success in sports. However, mechanics are quite detailed. There are a lot of moving parts. For a baseball pitcher to throw strikes, there are many technical variables to consider, such as &#8230; <a title=\"How to Stop Overthinking in Competition\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-stop-overthinking-in-competition\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Stop Overthinking in Competition\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15820,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[318,260,246],"class_list":["post-15818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","tag-confidence-in-sports","tag-golf-confidence","tag-mental-toughness"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.6.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Overthinking is a distraction that prevents you from performing like you have trained yourself to compete. 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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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