A team’s performance is dependent on every individual doing their part. Players know this and that can sometimes create anxiety prior to an important game. You might tense up, become quiet or experience nausea. Elite athletes achieved their success with tremendous focus, but even the best can succumb to the pressures of a big moment.
Here’s some reasons why athletes get pre-game jitters:
- Playing in front of a large audience for the first time
- The fear of disappointing teammates, coaches, and parents
- Difficulty accepting results
- Post-game analysis from the last game can still weigh on your mind
- Post-injury mental stress is also credited as a factor
There are ways to mitigate these factors.
In order to cope with pre-game jitters, you can:
Eat a regular, healthy diet – As an athlete, good nutrition is of utmost importance and you could have a banana or a light snack before the game. It can calm you down and help you regain your focus.
Visualize – During warmups, visualize yourself having performing at your peak potential. This kind of positive thinking can replace negativity in your mind and create beneficial thought pathways.
Learn from losses and practice- If you consistently use information from your losses and negative results to improve your game, the sting of losing isn’t so painful. The mark of a great pitcher is a commitment to constant improvement. Learn to look at your losses dead-on if you want to get better.
Smile – Alright, this might sound cheesy, but lighten up. It’s good that you care so much about winning. That’s a prerequisite for greatness. But think about your family, your friends, and the values that matter most to you. Win or lose, you have life, and life is a gift. So go out there and play the game you love, and try to win because winning is awesome.
Breathe – This isn’t new advice, and it works in a variety of life situations. Regulate your breath and put your focus on your breathing. Closing your eyes for a moment may help as well. If thoughts disrupt your focus (they will), simply let them go and focus on your breath.