How to be a "clutch" player
Jun 23, 2022 1:01 pm
Hi,
Anxiety shows up in big moments. But there are things you can do to prepare for them and be your best when it matters most. We call that "clutch performances" and I have two strategies for you below.
And do you know someone who would benefit from getting these weekly tips? Forward this to them and have them sign up at https://sendfox.com/dreddie
Practice well,
Dr Eddie
***
Focus Outside
Before an audition or big game, what are you most aware of?
Many performers will tell me rapid heart rate, sweating, feeling shaky, and tense muscles. “What if?” thoughts questioning potential mistakes in the future. Racing thoughts, fear and nervousness. Maybe even a desire to escape or "just get it over with."
In short, a whole lot of focus on what’s going on 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 your mind and body, and not what’s going on 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 where you are performing.
Choking is when you fail to do a skill under pressure that you can reliably do in practice. It isn’t simply making a mistake in big moments, especially if the demand is challenging. It is underperforming: not doing as well as you could and should have.
And this is almost always a focus problem. The tendency to focus 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 on what you are thinking or feeling and not 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 on what you are doing.
One of the best ways to be clutch in pressure moments is to commit (and recommit) your focus on what you are doing in each moment.
Your mind won’t stay there, so don’t get frustrated when you have to refocus over and over. That is a normal part of the process. Your mind won’t stay where you put it.
But the best performers under pressure will be aware of where their attention is, quickly notice when it has gone to an internal experience, and then bring their attention back to the task at hand.
So the next time you are thinking about what’s going on inside, focus outside.
To improve your focus to be your best under pressure, join me inside Success Stories Membership.
***
Pre-Performance Routines
Choking often happens when all eyes are on you. When the moment is big and the pressure is on.
Interestingly, the task usually isn’t more difficult. It is often a routine play that needs to be made with a lot riding on the outcome. Choking happens when we are distracted by the pressure and lose focus on the task we are trying to execute.
One of the best ways to “normalize” the moment is to have a pre-performance routine: a specific set of behaviors you consistently do before you begin. These behaviors should all prepare you for the action (none done out of superstition).
They should prepare you physically (e.g., a slow deep breath and drop shoulders to relax), mentally (e.g., focus your eyes on a target), and emotionally (e.g., concentrate on the feeling of being a “coiled spring” ready to explode with power).
Each step of the routine also grounds you in the here and now of the performance, moment to moment … the ideal focus to play your best.
Routines work well:
⛳️ before each golf swing and putt
🎾 before your tennis serve and between points
⚾️ stepping into the batters box before each pitch
⚽️ before a penalty kick in soccer
🏀 before a free throw in basketball
A 🏈 example could be pre-snap going through four A’s on every play: Assignment (know your job), Alignment (find the right position on the field according to the play), Adjustment (make the necessary changes based on how the opponent lines up), Attitude (check your energy, confidence and commitment).
🥇If you’re choking and want some help, reply to this e-mail and let's get you scheduled.
***
Dr. Eddie O’Connor
