Sport Psychology Q&A: Sport Performance Psychology for High Pressure
High school athletes ask some of my favorite questions because they're usually practical. They want to know what to do when they start overthinking before a game, how to build a pre-game routine, whether therapy can actually help athletes, and even how I stay motivated in my own career.
In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, I answer questions from students taking a high school sports psychology class. We talk about staying present under pressure, getting out of your head during competition, building routines that work for you, and why mental health deserves the same attention as physical health.
Whether you're an athlete, parent, coach, or athletic trainer, I hope you'll find a few ideas you can take with you into your next practice or competition.
Questions from High School Athletes
Playing One Pitch at a Time
One of the questions I was asked is how athletes can stop overthinking during competition.
I talk about sport psychology consultant Ken Ravizza's idea of playing one pitch at a time. Before every play, take one slow breath, commit to a simple plan, and then trust yourself to compete.
You don't have to predict what's going to happen next. You only have to handle what's in front of you.
Getting Out of Your Head with Improv
People are sometimes surprised to learn that I teach improv comedy games as part of my work with athletes and teams.
Improv gives athletes a chance to practice letting go of perfectionism, accepting uncertainty, and staying engaged in the present moment. It also reminds us that feeling awkward or anxious isn't a sign that something has gone wrong. Those experiences are part of learning, competing, and performing.
Building a Pre-Game Routine
What were you doing before your best performances?
Instead of copying someone else's routine, look for patterns in your own performances. How did you sleep? What did your warm-up look like? What helped you feel prepared?
Getting curious will help you figure out the pre-game routine that works best for you.
Mental and Emotional Injuries Deserve Attention
If you sprain your ankle, you probably don't wait six months hoping it gets better on its own.
Mental and emotional injuries deserve that same attention.
Performance anxiety, burnout, OCD, ADHD, insomnia, and other mental health concerns often respond well to treatment. Getting help early can prevent these challenges from becoming bigger obstacles both in sport and in everyday life.
Staying Motivated
I also answer a question about how I stay motivated in my own career.
One thing I've learned is that I enjoy wearing different hats. Along with providing therapy, I enjoy podcasting, teaching workshops, supervising trainees, writing, and occasionally finding excuses to talk about Star Trek.
Having a variety of projects keeps me curious and helps me avoid feeling stuck in just one role.
Who Might Enjoy This Episode?
This episode is for:
High school athletes
Parents of athletes
Coaches
Athletic trainers
Athletes who struggle with performance anxiety or overthinking
Anyone who's interested in the connection between mental health and athletic performance
Fans of Taco the cat
Looking for Sport Psychology Support?
If you're an athlete struggling with performance anxiety, OCD, burnout, perfectionism, ADHD, insomnia, or another mental health concern, you don't have to work through it alone.
I'm a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in sport psychology, and I work with high school, collegiate, and adult athletes in Long Beach and Los Angeles, as well as throughout California through telehealth.
If you're curious about whether working together would be a good fit, I'd be happy to talk. Contact me to schedule a free phone consultation. We'll discuss what's been getting in the way, answer your questions, and see whether my approach matches what you're looking for.