Sports Psychology Tips: Managing Pressure and Performing at Your Best
Finding Calm in the Chaos
Pressure is part of sports. It’s the final seconds, the full count, the tie-breaking serve. Some athletes tighten up. Others seem to thrive. The difference? How they interpret pressure.
Pressure isn’t the enemy — your reaction to it is. When you view pressure as a challenge instead of a threat, your body and brain respond differently. Your focus sharpens, confidence builds, and performance flows.
Here are three ways to manage pressure moments:
Breathe intentionally. Slow, deep breaths activate your parasympathetic nervous system, calming the body and clearing the mind.
Reframe the moment. Instead of “I can’t mess this up,” try “This is my chance to execute what I’ve trained for.”
Anchor in routine. Simple, repeatable actions (like a pre-shot routine or reset word) cue your body into readiness.
Pressure will always be there. But with the right mindset, it can become your performance fuel — not your roadblock.
~James Elhart