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My Mental Playbook believes that sports are captivating. And they are right. But how do top performers perform consistently and with the ability to always rise to the occasion? What separates those who are successful from those who fall to the side, complaining?
The pressure to perform can be monumental and overwhelming on youth players and My Mental Playbook has tools that can help.
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When it comes to performing at the highest level in the biggest moments, talented athletes fall into one of two categories. Some athletes get better under pressure, rising to the top of their game in critical moments – and others don’t, succumbing to the situation and performing at a level that isn’t what we’re accustomed to seeing.
The difference between these athletes lies in the strength of their mental skills.
An example of an athlete who dominates big games and uses all the mental skills he has to his advantage in huge moments is Juventus’ Forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
This past week, with his team down 2-0 in aggregate (and 2-0 on away goals) heading into the second leg of Juventus’ Champions League matchup with Atletico Madrid, Ronaldo did what he does best, scoring three goals en route to his team’s 3-0 victory, advancing them to the next round.
Big moment. Big performance. Rinse and repeat. Whether it’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady, LeBron James, or Tiger Woods, what separates these athletes from players who don’t always perform up to expectations, such as Neymar, Chris Paul, or Rickie Fowler?
Athletes who perform well in big games are able to manage their performance anxiety.
Note that it’s not that athletes who perform at a high level don’t experience anxiety, they just deal with it in a healthier, more efficient and productive way.
For example, Ronaldo uses mindfulness meditation during games to relax his body and bring his mind into the present moment.
He takes opportunities before set pieces, penalty kicks, corner kicks, and other stoppages of play to reset his breathing and his mentality.
Finding a system of breathing techniques that works is paramount to an athlete’s ability to stay present and grounded during a time when external forces are creeping into their thoughts. Forces that tell them “this is a huge moment,” and “there’s a lot riding on this performance.” Mindfulness meditation helps the athlete accept those thoughts, decide that they’re insignificant and not real, and move forward so they could simply focus on their technique and training.
- Athletes who perform well in big games use Visualization as part of their preparation.
It’s an old saying that “games are won and lost in the offseason.” To a large extent, this is true.
To read more, please visit My Mental Playbook‘s article on PERFORMING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN THE BIGGEST MOMENTS
Look for SoccerToday’s upcoming review of My Mental Playbook coming soon.
