{"id":9498,"date":"2019-05-31T15:39:12","date_gmt":"2019-05-31T15:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=9498"},"modified":"2025-06-06T06:35:47","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T10:35:47","slug":"coping-with-pregame-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/coping-with-pregame-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Coping with Pregame Anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/General-big-image.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9503\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/General-big-image.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/General-big-image-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_to_Stay_Relaxed_before_a_Competition\"><\/span>How to Stay Relaxed before 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\/coping-with-pregame-anxiety\/#How_to_Stay_Relaxed_before_a_Competition\" >How to Stay Relaxed before 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\/coping-with-pregame-anxiety\/#Focusing_Before_A_Competition\" >Focusing Before A Competition<\/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\/coping-with-pregame-anxiety\/#Coping_with_Pregame_Anxiety\" >Coping with Pregame Anxiety:<\/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\/coping-with-pregame-anxiety\/#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\/coping-with-pregame-anxiety\/#The_Relaxed_Athlete\" >The Relaxed Athlete<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI feel like I\u2019m going to be sick to my stomach.\u201d Have you ever had this feeling prior to a competition?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever been so <strong>anxious<\/strong> that you feel physically sick in the locker room before a game or competition?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For some athletes, this feeling repeats itself as they carry it into each competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This anxiety can hurt your performance because it leads to performing tight and scared. And some athletes burn themselves out because they are nervous days before a competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overwhelming pre-competition anxiety affects all aspects of your athletic experience from training, sleep, pregame eating, competitive performance and simply the enjoyment of your sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only does overwhelming pre-competition anxiety affect competitive performance, it can manifest itself in frequent physical illnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe you feel you are the only athlete experiencing this type of overwhelming pre-competition anxiety, but it happens to athletes at every competitive level including Olympic, professional, collegiate, high school and youth athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Focusing_Before_A_Competition\"><\/span>Focusing Before A Competition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many athletes become so disappointed and frustrated because they train and practice at a high level but seem incapable of translating those efforts to competition because of this overwhelming anxiety. After a while, you question whether it is even worth being an athlete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pregame jitters can turn into full-blown pregame <strong>anxiety<\/strong> if you haven\u2019t learned how to manage your nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many athletes deal with this condition by seeking out the assistance of mental performance coaches to assist in overcoming anxiety with great success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Working with a mental game coach can help you regain control over that anxiety and help you compete with the type of confidence that produces positive results that generate feelings of pride and personal satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NFL Pro Bowl guard Brandon Brooks of the Philadelphia Eagles has experienced this high anxiety prior to games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BROOKS<\/strong>: <em>\u201cBefore every game, I throw up. I can\u2019t stop thinking about letting my team down, letting the world down, the microscope being on me\u2026 All of a sudden you\u2019re becoming the guy, everyone counting on me, and I\u2019ve got to make the play every time. In this game, the talent gap is so small, to think like that will eat you up.\u2019\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brooks sought out help and is mentally tougher because of it. In 2018, Brooks stated that overcoming his anxiety was his biggest victory during that season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BROOKS<\/strong>: <em>\u201cBut the thing that I\u2019m most proud of is, I played all 16 games without having anxiety, without missing a game. That was my biggest goal. I\u2019m more confident in myself than I\u2019ve ever been. I\u2019m more secure than I\u2019ve ever been.\u2019\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brooks is evidence that you CAN manage your pre-competition <strong>anxiety<\/strong> level, no matter what is the root of the anxiety.. You CAN perform at a high level again\u2026 And you CAN regain that joy for your sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Coping_with_Pregame_Anxiety\"><\/span>Coping with Pregame Anxiety:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Focus on your pregame warm up routine. Within your routine, use deep breathing, tighten and release, listen to music with noise cancelling headphones, or calming visualization or meditation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid thinking about outcomes and the aftermath of the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most worry is about negative outcomes and what others might think of your performance. You can&#8217;t care about what others think if you want to perform freely without fear.<\/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\" 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\/pregame-stress-and-anxiety-athletes-mental-roadblock-to-success\/\"><strong>Pregame Stress and Anxiety: Athletes\u2019 Mental Roadblock to Success<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/parents-athletes-quitting-sports\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-manage-anxiety-in-competitions\/\"><strong>How to Manage Anxiety in Competitions<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/parents-helping-young-athlete-who-wants-to-quit\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-overcome-tension-and-anxiety\/\"><strong>How to Overcome Tension and Anxiety<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-5726d13f-f715-4ca4-8813-2f8a9ebd8bc3\">*Subscribe to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sports-psychology-podcast-by-peaksports-com\/id152566009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0on iTunes<br>*Subscribe to<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0ynyaalKxbnNmsoeL8gF5X?si=8224669de9b3435b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a><\/strong> 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-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Relaxed_Athlete\"><\/span>The Relaxed 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\/2011\/03\/relaxed-athlete-small.jpg\" alt=\"The Relaxed Athlete\" class=\"wp-image-1543\" style=\"width:180px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>The ability to relax and play your game under pressure is what separates the winner<\/strong> from the loser in any competition. Champion athletes train hard in practice, are motivated for the right reasons, and are able to raise their game in crunch-time with two minutes remaining in the game..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A relaxed and confident performance begins in the mind! <strong>When you are mentally prepared to compete, you can have an optimal level of intensity AND poise!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Relaxed Athlete program<\/strong> is ideal for any athlete that wants to overcome pregame anxiety, worry, or excess tension and learn to perform with poise. It\u2019s also ideal for any coach or parent who wants to teach athletes to perform with poise and relaxation in competition.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-e17df0d5\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-68994dee gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-relaxed-athlete-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-89319240 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/collections\/the-confident-athlete-series-cd-workbooks\/products\/the-relaxed-athlete-cd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Stay Relaxed before a Competition \u201cI feel like I\u2019m going to be sick to my stomach.\u201d Have you ever had this feeling prior to a competition? Have you ever been so anxious that you feel physically sick in the locker room before a game or competition? For some athletes, this feeling repeats itself as they carry &#8230; <a title=\"Coping with Pregame Anxiety\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/coping-with-pregame-anxiety\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Coping with Pregame Anxiety\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9504,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,13,142,40,3,39,27,38,37],"tags":[911],"class_list":["post-9498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mental-game-of-sports","category-mental-game-skills","category-sports-psychology-tips","category-mental-preparation","category-mental-toughness","category-performance-anxiety","category-performing-well-under-pressure","category-pregame-anxiety","category-pregame-stress","tag-pregame-anxiety"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.5.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u201cI feel like I\u2019m going to be sick to my stomach.\u201d Have you ever had this feeling prior to a competition? 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