Unraveling the Psychology of Handling Pressure

Why do players, teams and coaches underperform when it matters the most? Some refer to this as choking. Many athletes choke in competition compared to their performance during practice. If athletes can perform well in practice but can't take it to the field, it's likely anxiety, tension or fear of failure that's getting in the way. The ability to take your practice game to competition is critical to your success in sports. Next, on the Athlete One Podcast.

Welcome to the Athlete One Podcast. Veteran high school baseball coach Ken Carpenter takes you into life's classroom as experienced through sports. Go behind the scenes with athletes and coaches as they share great stories, life lessons and ways to impact others.

Today's episode of the Athlete One Podcast is powered by the Netting Professionals Improving Programs One Facility at a Time. The Netting Professionals specialize in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for baseball and softball. This includes backstops, batting cages, bp turtles, screens, ball carts and more. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding, windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches and cubbies. The Netting Professionals also work with football, soccer, lacrosse and golf courses. Contact them today at 844-620-2707. At 844-620-2707, or visit them on the Internet, or check out Netting Pros on Twitter, instagram, facebook and LinkedIn for all their latest products and projects. Hello and welcome to Athlete One, a podcast for coaches, athletes and parents. I'm your host, ken Carpenter, and today we're going to tackle a topic that every coach and athlete can relate to. It's when you underperform in critical situations. Picture this it's the end of the season and it's the tournament. You have a huge crowd that shows up, you've had a great season and you start off the game with a pitcher that has been rolling throughout the entire season and has just had a great year and looking forward to a great college career. But then something unexpected happens the star pitcher who's been dominant all season long Gives up a couple hits in the first inning, we're down three runs and you just look at him and you can tell that he is not the same person he was during the regular season. The opposing hitters begin to capitalize on his mistakes and you can see the weight of the world resting on his shoulders and he crumbles under the pressure. What causes athletes to underperform or choke in these pressure-packed situations? Let's break it down. First off, it's increased stress and anxiety that comes with the territory. When the spotlight is on and the stakes are high, it's only natural for Athletes to feel the weight of the moment bearing down on them. The fear of failure Loons large and every move they make feels magnified. Their mental game over thinking can be a killer. Instead of trusting in their training and instincts, athletes find themselves balled down by doubt and indecision. They become consumed by the thoughts of what could go wrong and they lose sight of the task at hand. It's not just mental, it's physical too. The body reacts in mysterious ways tension creeps in, muscle tightens and Coordination goes out the window. It's like throwing a needle while wearing boxing gloves. And let's not forget about the distractions the noise of the crowd, the taunts from the opposing team, the pressure from the coaches and the fans. It all can add up to one big distraction. It's hard to stay focused when the war around you is spinning out of control. But perhaps the most insidious culprit of all is what has happened to you in your past. For athletes who have experienced failure or humiliation in Similar pressure situation, the scars run deep. It's like trying to climb a mountain with a bowler strapped on your back. So what is the solution? How can athletes overcome the chokehold of pressure and perform at their peak when it matters the most? It all starts with preparation mental preparation, physical preparation and emotional preparation. The more you practice under pressure, the better equipped you'll be to handle these situations when the moment arrives. Don't underestimate the power of a mindset. Positive thinking, visual visualization, deep breathing all these tools can help calm the nerves and sharpen focus when the pressure is on. Finally, learn to embrace the pressure instead of fearing it. Use it as fuel to Drive your performance to new heights. Remember pressure is just another word for an opportunity. Next time you find yourself in a tough game, remember to stay calm, stay focused and trust your training Overall. Addressing the underlying causes of underperformance in pressure situations requires a comprehensive approach that includes mental skills training, stress management techniques, effective coping strategies, and One I think is very important is Is consistent practice in high-pressure environments. By developing resilience, confidence and mental toughness, athletes can learn to thrive under pressure and perform at their best when it matters the most. Today's episode of the athlete one podcast was powered by the netting professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. Contact them today at 844-620-2707. We'll visit them online at wwwnettingproscom. Make sure you tune in next Wednesday as I sit down with Bishop Waterson, high school head baseball coach, jeff Bollweir out of Columbus, Ohio. As always, thanks for listening to the athlete one podcast. I'm Ken Carbager, take care.