Controlling Your Focus in Games
Athletes under perform all the time in sports…
Sometimes when you play against a team or opponent with a lower rank, you may underestimate them to take the game too lightly.
In a tournament elimination format, you may look past that lower ranked opponent and focus on your next match-up or a more formidable opponent.
You erroneously believe that the result is a foregone conclusion when playing what you think is a weaker opponent.
That is when the unexpected happens: You take an opponent for granted and give them a mental edge.
In fact, the other team has nothing to lose and often tries to rise to the occasion and set the tone early in the game…
Soon, you find yourself down early in the game and desperation sets in. You begin to panic and you make more mistakes than usual.
Upsets happen in sports when you don’t give the opposition respect!
Upsets occur in every sport and it’s often a matter of focus, confidence, and complacency.
In baseball, you may be facing a team with a losing record and your mind vaults to that rival game later in the week…
In tennis, playing a lower ranked opponent, you might overlook your opponent and focus on a semi-final opponent…
In gymnastics, you might think you have a medal wrapped up and just go through the motions in your last event…
All these examples move your focus from the present to the future.
Focusing on the future causes you to give less than 100 percent effort and focus in your current match up. This is when you find yourself behind in the competition and in catch-up mode… and, before you know, you have given away the game.
How do you avoid the upset?
While you cannot control the other team playing up a notch, you can control your level of focus and effort.
You need to be able to prepare the same way for every team, every game and every competition. Your focus must be on the opposition that is in front of you.
In fact, the most important game, match or competition is the one you are competing in the present.
Controlling your focus is the key to not giving away games.
The University of Notre Dame, the fifth seed, faced 12-seed Princeton University in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament.
Notre Dame senior V.J. Beachem was aware that there are upsets every year in the NCAA Tournament and understands that focusing on the present game is of ultimate importance to make sure you’re not on the wrong side of that upset.
V.J. BEACHEM: “I think the number one thing is treating every opponent with respect regardless of our seed or their seed or anything like that. You know, I think a lot of people were talking about our seed on Sunday when it came out, as far as the 12-5 match-up. But behind closed doors, we aren’t worried about that at all. We just want to go out there and play our game regardless of who we’re playing against regardless, when it is, and wherever it is.”
This applies to every athlete in every sport. Take heed and focus on your game in the present moment and give your opposition respect.
Tips for Playing Well Against Underdogs
Understand that upsets happen, especially when you underestimate the competition.
To maintain your focus in the present, create a game plan for this specific competition or opponent, focus on your game plan and execute your game plan.
Get up for the game! Don’t take the opposition lightly. Use the pregame warm up to get your game face on with the correct level of intensity you need to focus well in the game.
Learn all of my mental game secrets to boost concentration here.
Discover How to Overcome Distractions During Competition!
If you’re an athlete who is frequently distracted, loses focus in conception, or wants to learn more about how to focus better under pressure, check out:
The Focused Athlete: A 14-Day Plan For Superior Concentration
The Focused Athlete is a step-by-step plan to boost concentration and overcome distractions in sports. It is a complete system to teach you how to focus like a champion and harness the power of a zone focus every time you step into practice, a game or competition.
The Focused Athlete program comes with 2 audio CDs that include 14 days of focus boosting exercises and a simple to follow workbook that guides you through each of the 14 days, helps you apply the strategies, and customizes the exercises to your personal focus challenges.
Learn more about the Focused Athlete.
What are mental game customers saying?
“I can see that ‘The Confident Athlete Series‘ program is really sort of a lifestyle change. Just as weight loss involves a change in eating habits, confidence involves a change in thinking habits. I recently participated in a registered Skeet tournament and shot the best doubles score I’ve shot in four years. I attribute that score to your program!”
~Kevin Lutgen, Shooter
“I enjoyed ‘The Confident Athlete Series’ very much. I particularly liked the format, the ease of the program, and the 2 CDs that accompanied the workbook – 10-20 minutes a day was simple to adhere to and put in my busy schedule. I love the part about confidence with grace, and what I want to portray and feel the minute I step foot into Los Angeles for nationals. I love the affirmations, the relaxation techniques, and just the entire perspective of the program.”
~Sarah, US National Aerobic Gymnastics Team
Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with personal coaching.
You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
What are our mental coaching students, parents and coaches saying?
“Your response to the throwing problem in front of the coach covers so many situations in life…that is the beauty of playing sports…the life learning experiences. Keep up the good work…you are the best mental coach.”
~Bill Brennan, sports parent
“Ty has started nine games this season, and he is 6-0, with a 2.6 ERA. Two weeks ago he pitched a 9-inning shutout, breaking his school’s record with 17 strikeouts. For his efforts he was named NJCAA Division I National Pitcher of the Week. He’s in a real good place mentally. The mental game skills you taught him about mental preparation, eliminating expectation, and staying in the moment have been the keys to his success. The thing I have noticed most is his improved consistency. I have been amazed at the change in his mental game. I should have called you earlier to thank you personally.”
~Randy Sullivan, Ty’s Father
Download Our FREE Mental Toughness Report!
Download your FREE Mental Toughness Report and discover if you are making one or more of theses ‘costly’ mental game mistakes before competition.
You’ll:
- Discover if those pregame jitters are positive or negative.
- Learn the important pregame mental skills to perform your best.
- Learn how your mental game might sabotage your success in sports.
- Identify mistakes in your per-competition mental preparation.
Download The Mental Toughness Report:
What are mental coaching students, parents and coaches saying?
“My wife and I immediately applied your eBook mental toughness tips and luckily we got a fast response. Over just four days we brought her up out of a slump to success. She had ‘permission to make mistakes,’ she came out of her funk. Amazing!”
~Glenn A. Grube, Sports Parent
“I have really enjoyed reading your tennis report. I just found your web site and I already have improved in my mental game. This past weekend I played with the amount of confidence I should have in myself.”
~Melanie Lewis, Junior Tennis Player