How to Stay Relaxed before a Competition
“I feel like I’m going to be sick to my stomach.” 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 it into each competition.
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.
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.
Not only does overwhelming pre-competition anxiety affect competitive performance, it can manifest itself in frequent physical illnesses.
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.
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.
Pregame jitters can turn into full-blown pregame anxiety if you haven’t learned how to manage your nerves.
Many athletes deal with this condition by seeking out the assistance of mental performance coaches to assist in overcoming anxiety with great success.
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.
NFL Pro Bowl guard Brandon Brooks of the Philadelphia Eagles has experienced this high anxiety prior to games.
BROOKS: “Before every game, I throw up. I can’t stop thinking about letting my team down, letting the world down, the microscope being on me… All of a sudden you’re becoming the guy, everyone counting on me, and I’ve got to make the play every time. In this game, the talent gap is so small, to think like that will eat you up.’’
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.
BROOKS: “But the thing that I’m most proud of is, I played all 16 games without having anxiety, without missing a game. That was my biggest goal. I’m more confident in myself than I’ve ever been. I’m more secure than I’ve ever been.’’
Brooks is evidence that you CAN manage your pre-competition anxiety level, no matter what is the root of the anxiety.. You CAN perform at a high level again… And you CAN regain that joy for your sport.
Coping with Pregame Anxiety:
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.
Avoid thinking about outcomes and the aftermath of the competition.
Most worry is about negative outcomes and what others might think of your performance. You can’t care about what others think if you want to perform freely without fear.
Improve Mental Preparation in Sports!
If you’re an athlete who is frequently tight, tense, anxious, or wants to learn more about how to relax better under pressure, The Relaxed Athlete is for you!
Confidence and the ability to relax under adversity is what championship athletes do best.
It only takes one tense moment 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!
The Relaxed Athlete is a complete system to teach you how to relax like a champion and harness the power of relaxation every time you step on the playing field, court, track or course in practice and games!
This workbook and CD program consists of 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 strategies, and customizes the exercises to your personal focus challenges.
You’ll Discover:
- How to quickly identify distractions that sabotage your concentration and how to quickly refocus after distractions.
- How to use pre-shot routines before shots or serves to help you be more task-focused instead of worrying about results.
- How to use pregame routines to help you harness the power of zone concentration before competition.
Learn more about one of our most popular CD programs in The Confident Athlete Series…
The Relaxed Athlete: A 14-Day Plan For Superior Concentration
What are customers saying about our mental game programs?
“I first purchased
‘The Confident Athlete’ to see how the program went and immediately saw
results. I then purchased the rest of the Confident Athlete Series and
have noticed a dramatic improvement in my level of play or should I say
consistency. I currently play NCAA Division 1 baseball for Lamar
University, and even my coaches have noticed a change in the way that I
approach the game. My attitude and confidence at the plate. I am able to
get into that zone were I am able to narrow my focus on to the task at
hand. Thank you for helping in my continuing goal to mental toughness.”*
~Tylor Prudhomme
“By far, The Confident Athlete Series is the most powerful tool I’ve used to perform my best. The simple and easy to use program has helped me take my game to the next level.” *
~Shaun Burrell, professional surfer
Disclaimer
*Testimonials found on this site are examples of what we have done for other clients, and what some of our clients have said about us. However, we cannot guarantee the results in any case. Your results may vary and every situation is different. No compensation was provided for these testimonials.