Performance Anxiety for Athletes – How to Overcome Your Anxiety

There is a common perception among many athletes, coaches, and even some sport psychologists that anxiety is a “bad” state, and should be reduced at all costs. Sport psychologists would traditionally most likely begin with teaching an anxious athlete relaxation and deep breathing skills. In my practice, I have found another approach also to be beneficial. Research has found that it is usually the person’s perception of their high arousal that may influence performance, not the high arousal itself. If the athlete believes they are anxious, and believe that this anxiety may affect their performance, usually the anxiety increases. Their anxiety can then become out of control, reducing their performance, and completing a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Taking these findings on board, often when an athlete approaches me before a major competition flustered about his or her anxiety, I reply “Great!” After a brief look of confusion, I explain to the athlete that their body is getting ready to compete. The body is pumping blood to their muscles ready for explosive exercise. I may also have a brief chat about evolution, and how the body’s flight or fight system is activated during potentially threatening situations.

This response increases heart rate and blood flow to the specific muscles involved in speed, strength, and power that was designed to help us either run away or defend ourselves from potential predators. I liken the body’s response to the state they try and achieve in warm-up, with an increase in heart rate, and maybe a light sweat. Then we may have a discussion about the opposite state of total relaxation and boredom, and how this state would not be ideal for competition (of course this approach would not be relevant for sports requiring fine motor control and slow heart rate, such as shooting or archery). Athletes may also find it helpful if their anxiety is reframed as anticipation, passion, and excitement for the upcoming competition.

Although relaxation interventions can be valuable tools for performance enhancement, mental skills probably will be ineffective if the anxiety is out of control, or the source of the athlete’s anxiety stems from deeper issues. These deeper concerns may include anxiety about performing in front of a significant other person (e.g., wanting to make Mum or Dad proud), or fear of not living up to a protected image of him or herself (e.g., having to perform well to live up to the image of the perfect athlete).

Relaxation skills can only go so far in helping these athletes, and a more effective approach may be referring these athletes to a sport psychologist with counseling experience. The referral process itself may be a delicate process given the stigma associated with seeing a “shrink” and admitting a perceived “weakness.”

About the Author

For more free tennis tips, tennis drills and tennis articles you should visit GlobalSportsCoaching.com

Anxiety in sport

You Got Served $5.00 After releasing two hugely successful albums in the US, hiphop boy band B2K turn their hand to acting by starring in the street dancing film ‘You Got Served’ as well as contributing seven new songs to the soundtrack. The album also includes tracks by M.O.P., O’Ryan and Jhene and the B2K single ‘Badaboom’ featuring hip hop star Fabolous….

Improve Sports Performance with Hypnosis $12.50 Dr. George Kenney is a certified member of the National Guild of Hypnotists and a member of The National Board of Hypnosis Education and Certification. A school administrator for 27 years, Dr. Kenney understands the challenges facing youth today. His hypnosis CD Improve Sports Performance with Hypnosis is highly regarded by educators.This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable med…

The Goalie’s Anxiety at the Penalty Kick [VHS] …

Yoga for Stress Relief $8.49 Over the centuries, yoga practitioners have discovered the secret to achieving optimal health, vitality and happiness. For the first time, this path to living a longer, happier life is revealed on a single DVD. Excessive stress and negative mental attitudes in our daily lives are the greatest obstacles to achieving serenity, good health & well-being. This DVD teaches step by step, easy to follow p…

Viniyoga Therapy – Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders – with Gary Kraftsow $24.98 VINIYOGA THERAPY:U. BACKNECK &SHOULDERS (DVD MOVIE)…

The Goalie’s Anxiety at the Penalty Kick [VHS] …

Korean Seasoned Roasted Nori Seaweed – Low Sodium Flavor – 3×0.17 Oz Packets …

Halo 3 Series 2 Orbital Drop Shock Trooper $12.99 Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST) are an elite branch of the United Nations Space Command (UNSC) special forces. Comprised of an all-volunteer fighting force of some of the bravest men the UNSC has to offer, the ODST have served valiantly in many campaigns against the Covenant, including engagements on three separate HALO installations. Measures 6″ tall….

Alien VS. Predator: Requiem NECA Action Figure Series 2 Predator Unmasked $19.99 AVP Alien VS. Predator: Requiem UNMASKED PREDATOR Action Figure Series 2 by NECA…

Halo 3 Series 2 Brute Stalker $12.99 Be mindful of your surroundings, for one never knows when one is being hunted. Invisible to all but the keenest of eyes, Brute Stalkers use light-bending technology known as active camouflage to approach their prey undetected, before unleashing destruction upon their unsuspecting enemies. Measures 6″ tall….