6 WINNING WAYS ATHLETES MENTALLY PREPARE FOR COMPETITION

As an athlete you spend countless hours perfecting your physical training in preparation for a competition, but are you ready to face the challenge mentally? Focus is important. Without it, it will be challenging to remember what you’ve practiced during physical workouts. Learning to manage stress properly and even controlling excitement can help improve your mental game when it's time to compete.

Be your best with these 6 tips for getting in the zone before a competition:

1. FOCUS ON TECHNIQUE

If you become consumed thinking about winning or losing, you'll get distracted from the actions you need to perform physically. It’s important to learn to ignore the factors the you don’t have control over, such as weather or terrain. Focus on the details you need to execute during competition. Instead of visualizing the outcome, identify the individual steps you need to take to get there.

2. UNDERSTAND HOW STRESS CAN BENEFIT YOU

If you become consumed thinking about winning or losing, you'll get distracted from the actions you need to perform physically. It’s important to learn to ignore the factors the you don’t have control over, such as weather or terrain. Focus on the details you need to execute during competition. Instead of visualizing the outcome, identify the individual steps you need to take to get there.

3. VISUALIZE YOUR PERFORMANCE

Many talented athletes practice visualization before a competition. They envision potential scenarios that they could potentially encounter and determine how they will respond. This helps athletes react quickly when presented with the same scenario on the spot.