Coach Sommerville

Usain Bolt said, "I trained 4 years to run 9 seconds and people give up when they don't see results in 2 months." Patience isn't just sitting around and waiting. It's doing the work. It's balancing instant gratification with future goals.

Geno Auriemma said, “With the absence of pressure, it’s hard to do great things.” People think stress is harmful and causes pain, but it can be used to your advantage. • It improves your focus. • It enhances your mindset. • It builds your resilience. The key is to not let the pressure overtake you, but to have a plan in place when you feel that pressure. How to Perform Your Best Under Pressure👇 1. Practice Under Pressure - When you practice your hardest, your natural instincts and creativity will take over during the game. The goal is to act and not overthink. Regularly practicing under conditions that mimic the actual performance environment can acclimate you to stress. The more you simulate the event, the better your body will feel when the event happens. 2. Accept and Embrace Pressure - Tell yourself that it is just “excitement and fear.” Own it. Change your mindset about it. The pressure is there because it is trying to show you that you care. Accept that you care and that there are stakes on the line. By owning it, you are giving yourself a sense of control, motivation, and meaning to your behaviors. 3. Have a Plan for Pressure - This means plan the steps you need to take to perform your best. Whether it's a pre-performance routine, a mantra, or preparing with If-Then statements, having a plan can provide a sense of security and direction. This helps you to stay composed, make better decisions, and perform at your best even under stress. 4. Focus on Your Job - Concentrate on the task at hand. This helps focus your physical and mental energy on what you can control. This helps keep distractions at bay, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness. Techniques such as mindfulness, mental preparation, and setting clear, achievable goals can enhance your focus. 5. Block out Distractions - There will always be distractions whether it's noise, people, or your inner voice. When you eliminate those distractions, you become more productive, efficient, and accurate. Techniques like using a mantra, working on concentration grids, or doing concentration exercises can help in achieving this. 6. Manage your Emotions - It takes emotional intelligence and self-awareness to perform your best under pressure. It matters because emotions can cloud judgment for decision-making and affect your actions negatively. Techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, and visualization can help you manage new feelings that may arise. - - - Follow @coachajkings for more posts like this!