Peak Performance Under Pressure
Pressure can make even the best teams falter in big games.
When pressure gets the best of an athlete, their emotions run wild, anxiety shoots sky high, they start to question their ability to perform and lose their focus.
If you are going to perform like a champion, you will need to manage pressure and make it work for you.
The LSU softball team is a prime example of peak performance under pressure.
LSU has been on the brink of elimination from the college playoffs multiple times over the years, yet they never seem to fold under the pressure.
Over the past three seasons, LSU has played ten super regional and regional round elimination games in the NCAA tournament. How’s that for big-game pressure?
More amazingly, LSU has won all ten games. How’s that for performing under pressure!
The last elimination victory came this year, a 6-4 win over Florida State which put LSU in the Women’s College World Series for the third consecutive year.
LSU head coach Beth Torina talked about perspective being the key to LSU’s ability to successfully perform under pressure.
TORINA: “I think we have a good mentality when it comes to these games. We don’t approach it carelessly. We don’t approach it fearfully. We know that if we lose, the sun comes up tomorrow, so don’t think that life is hanging on this one moment. I think we just try to go out and enjoy it, play hard and represent this university.”
What exactly is the mentality that Torina speaks of, the mentality that has helped LSU win so many elimination games over the years?
LSU pitcher Carley Hoover explained that the team mindset is to train to handle the pressure. Hoover stated that the battle is won before the pitch is even thrown.
LSU is confident under pressure because they have experienced the event first in practice.
HOOVER: “I feel like you win or lose before the batter steps in the box. Of course, they can surprise you and get an 0-2 hit, but if I’m beating them mentally before they are even in the box, then I win.”
“If I’m already losing to them before they get in the box, they win. So I already tell myself that, if I’m losing before someone steps in the box, it’s not going to be a very positive outcome for me. I think that we work on that mental training.”
When you experience a situation over and over in your mind prior to it happening, you learn to cope with the situation.
That is, the more you experience something mentally or physically, the more prepared you become to act confidently.
You too can perform like a champion by learning how to manage the pressure and win the mental battle.
How to Perform Like a Champion in Pressure Situations:
(1) Practice visualizing different competitive scenarios–ones you’ll face in the game. Make those images as vivid as possible. Mentally experience the sounds, sights and smells of the event.
What would you feel? What positive thoughts would run through your mind? Make sure you visualize a successful outcome.
(2) Think about any trying situations you might experience, such as the bases loaded and it’s your turn to bat.
How will respond with composure this these tough situations? How will you focus on the task instead of worrying about doing the wrong thing?
When you can practice mentally how you’ll respond to pressure situations, you will be on your way to becoming a peak performer.
Improve Concentration in Sports!
If you’re an athlete who is frequently distracted, loses focus in competition, or wants to learn more about how to focus better under pressure, The Focused Athlete is for you!
Concentration and the ability to focus under adversity is what championship athletes do best.
It only takes one distraction to enter your mind for you to lose a critical point, miss a putt, or lose a second off your lap time. You cannot afford to let distractions run wild in your mind and cause you to make errors at critical times in the game!
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- How to quickly identify distractions that sabotage your concentration and how to quickly refocus after distractions.
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Learn more about one of our most popular CD programs in The Confident Athlete Series…
The Focused Athlete: A 14-Day Plan For Superior Concentration
What are customers saying about our mental game program?
“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!”
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Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
If you’re a top performer during practice but find yourself under-performing in competition, the most likely culprit holding you back is your mental game.
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with one-on-one personal mental game 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 game coaching students, parents and coaches saying?
“The mental game lessons really helped me focus on the process of my performance and not the outcome. I now realize the difference between confidence and trust, in that confidence comes before competition. Your coaching is really going to help me improve my mental game this fall.“
~Trey Mancini, Collegiate Baseball Player
“I want to thank you for the great work you are doing with Ty. He seems to be soaring with confidence right now. We are flying out to see him pitch next weekend. He threw well Friday night and is drawing a lot of interest from several Division 1 schools. I’ll let you know how he looks.”
~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.
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- Learn how your mental game might sabotage your success in sports.
Download The Mental Toughness Report:
You will also receive regular updates of more mental toughness tips to boost your performance in sports!
What are mental coaching students, parents and coaches saying?
“I wanted to say that your program is one of the contributing factors that has helped Michelle improve her hitting. Last week she had the most relaxed, confident games at bat ever! The mental exercises have started to make things click. The mental program is something she can practice in other facets of life. I am pleased that we decided to invest in your program: the results are showing.”
~Jim Ellis, Michelle’s father
“I want to thank you for your attention with my son Keith, Jr. You helped him to focus his attention on the sequential steps necessary to make the most of his at-bats. Keith went on to have one of his best baseball seasons ever. He led his team in batting average, stolen bases, RBI, and runs scored. He ended the summer with serious interest from several Division I colleges and eventually signed a letter of intent to play for Pennsylvania State University. He received a partial baseball scholarship and is now on the roster. Thanks again for your help.”
~Keith M. Donnell Sr.