{"id":19209,"date":"2024-04-04T19:41:51","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T23:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=19209"},"modified":"2025-06-24T07:39:51","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T11:39:51","slug":"mindset-and-closing-out-a-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/mindset-and-closing-out-a-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Mindset and Closing Out a Game"},"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\/2024\/04\/closing-out-the-game.jpg\" alt=\"Mindset and Closing Out a Game\" class=\"wp-image-19210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/closing-out-the-game.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/closing-out-the-game-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=\"Can_you_take_your_foot_off_the_gas_pedal_during_a_competition\"><\/span>Can you take your foot off the gas pedal during a 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\/mindset-and-closing-out-a-game\/#Can_you_take_your_foot_off_the_gas_pedal_during_a_competition\" >Can you take your foot off the gas pedal during a 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\/mindset-and-closing-out-a-game\/#So_when_is_it_safe_to_coast_when_you_have_the_lead\" >So, when is it safe to coast when you have the lead?<\/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\/mindset-and-closing-out-a-game\/#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\/mindset-and-closing-out-a-game\/#The_Composed_Athlete_Digital_Download\" >The Composed Athlete (Digital Download)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Ask yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Does a 30-point <strong>lead at half-time<\/strong> of a basketball game ensure victory?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Will a 3-goal <strong>lead<\/strong> in a soccer match with 10 minutes remaining guarantee victory?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is it even possible that a golfer with a 5-stroke <strong>lead<\/strong> heading into the last two holes of a tournament can lose?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There have been countless historic collapses in sports when teams had seemingly <strong>insurmountable leads<\/strong> yet found themselves on the losing end when the final buzzer sounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can probably think of a competition in your sport when a team collapsed after <strong>having a significant lead.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may have noticed that the athlete or team made more uncharacteristic mistakes, played with less enthusiasm, had lapses in concentration, made bad decisions, communicated poorly with teammates, and lacked energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So_when_is_it_safe_to_coast_when_you_have_the_lead\"><\/span>So, when is it safe to coast when you have the lead?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The short answer is NEVER!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, embarrassing an opponent should never be the goal, but letting up in a competition has two potential trappings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You can allow the opposing team back into the competition and even suffer a comeback loss.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can create bad habits. When you take your foot off the gas, you detract from peak performance habits, such as focusing, maximizing effort, and honing a closeout mindset.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>When you allow the mental game to get away from you, your physical game will follow suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Closing out a game requires finishing strong. Finishing strong should always be the objective of a competition, whether you have a lead or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a 2024 midseason matchup between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks, the Hawks trailed 68-38 with 4:23 remaining in the second quarter. A 30-point lead in an NBA game &#8220;feels&#8221; like a victory is imminent. However, the Celtics took their foot off the gas and were outscored 82-50 from that point, leading to a historic collapse and a 120-118 loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis commented that the Celtics mentally allowed the game to <strong>slip away.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>PORZINGIS<\/strong>:&nbsp;<em>&#8220;Maybe too much (confidence) a little bit, maybe we need to sometimes have a little bit more urgency. But of course, we&#8217;re a confident team because of what we have shown, and we expect to win every game. It&#8217;s a slip-up for us, letting this game slip out of our hands&#8230; We just don&#8217;t want to make it a habit, and it hasn&#8217;t been a habit for us. We slipped one game, and we did relax a little bit and we paid the price.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In sports, the body follows the mind. If you are distracted, you will make more mistakes. If you assume you will win before the game is over, you will give less effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maintaining the right mindset throughout a competition is <strong>crucial<\/strong> for athletic success and consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remind yourself that habits are the sum of your choices and actions. If you want to rely on a closeout mindset in pressure situations, you need to build that mindset at every opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stay <strong>aggressive<\/strong> and <strong>continue<\/strong> to go for your plays. Don&#8217;t <strong>wait<\/strong> for your opponents to make mistakes.<\/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\/3-keys-to-finishing-strong-in-competition\/\"><strong>3 Keys to Finishing Strong in Competition<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/the-characteristics-of-a-resilient-athlete\/\"><strong>The Characteristics of a Resilient Athlete<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-build-mental-toughness\/\"><strong>How to Build Mental Toughness<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\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:158px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Composed_Athlete_Digital_Download\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/products\/the-focused-athlete-digital\" title=\"The Focused Athlete (Digital Download)\">The Composed Athlete (Digital Download)<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Composed Athlete\u201d audio and workbook program helps you gain a competitive edge by improving your composure in competition. Learn the best ways to let go of mistakes and overcome frustration and dwelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cMy son Jake has struggled with composure for as long as I can remember. He is doing the&nbsp;<strong>Composed Athlete<\/strong>&nbsp;program and is about half-way through. He had the biggest, most stressful wrestling tournament of his season this past weekend. I have never seen him demonstrate such composure and sportsmanship -ever. I was so happy I was fighting back tears. It\u2019s been a long and frustrating road. I am so thankful for your program.\u201d<\/em> ~Laura Grogan&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div style=\"text-align:center\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-button ab-block-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/products\/the-composed-athlete-digital\" class=\"ab-button ab-button-shape-rounded ab-button-size-medium\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#3373dc\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Can you take your foot off the gas pedal during a competition? Ask yourself the following questions: There have been countless historic collapses in sports when teams had seemingly insurmountable leads yet found themselves on the losing end when the final buzzer sounded. You can probably think of a competition in your sport when a team collapsed after &#8230; <a title=\"Mindset and Closing Out a Game\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/mindset-and-closing-out-a-game\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Mindset and Closing Out a Game\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19211,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[318,367,247],"class_list":["post-19209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","tag-confidence-in-sports","tag-finishing-strong","tag-mental-toughness-in-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.6.1 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Closing out a game requires finishing strong. 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