Pre-competition anxiety is a common experience for athletes of all levels. Collaborating with your athlete’s Athletes Untapped coach can provide valuable strategies and support to navigate these feelings effectively. Here’s how you can work together:

Open Dialogue About Feelings:

Encourage your athlete to openly communicate their anxieties and worries to their coach. Create a supportive home environment where they feel safe discussing their pre-competition nerves without judgment.

Collaborate on Coping Mechanisms:

Work with the coach to identify and practice coping mechanisms that can help manage anxiety. This might include visualization techniques, breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, or establishing pre-competition routines. The coach can integrate these strategies into training sessions to build familiarity and confidence.

Focus on Process, Not Outcome:

Help your athlete and the coach frame competitions as opportunities for growth and application of skills learned, rather than solely focusing on winning or losing. This shift in perspective can reduce pressure and anxiety.

Establish a Consistent Pre-Competition Routine:

Work with the coach to create a consistent pre-competition routine that includes familiar and calming activities. This predictability can provide a sense of control and reduce anxiety on game day.

To facilitate communication about pre-competition anxiety and coping strategies, ensure you and your athlete are comfortable using the platform to connect with the coach: How do I contact a coach?

To understand how training sessions can be tailored to build confidence and manage anxiety, you might find this article helpful: How do I modify a booked lesson?