Every athlete finds ways to perform at a high level. During crunch time, performance suffers for even the greatest athletes. "Clutch" performers have LESS dropoff than others.
What techniques help athletes perform at their best?
I summarized the book in this article (2015).
As practical advice, here are a few simple recommendations:
1) Mindfulness. Olympic athletes and professional athletes use mindful meditation to control breathing, reduce stress hormones, and perform well. It's free, nonpolitical, and nonreligious so steps on nobody's toes. These UCLA Guided Meditations are a great starting point.
2) Optimize activation. Music helps athletes amp up or calm down, whatever you need.
3) Highlight reel. Mental practice reinforces physical ability. Assemble five or six career highlights to play in your head.
4) Focus on opportunity. Be excited for the opportunity to play in the big game. You'll have an opportunity to look back at these times with your friends and teammates.
5) Control the process. Nobody can control the outcome, so focus on your process, how you take care of yourself and your business.
The State Championship team of 2012 lost to Newton North, 3-1, in the final game of the regular season. Then they swept through the postseason.
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