“My kid can’t miss at practice, and then he gets into a game and he plays like he’s not the same kid!”
In my world, hearing the quote above from a sports parent is a common occurrence. As a parent myself, I can empathize with other parents and their concerns around their child being unable to replicate sports proficiencies seen in practice over to games, but it is important that we realize one very big variable is missing in practice that skews our perceptions: PRESSURE.
Enter Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is the general term used when describing athletes who have learned how to play in games with pressure the same as they do in practice without pressure. Some sport parents don’t fully understand the importance of mental toughness, and instead continue to beat themselves up why their kid is a great “practice player,” yet unable to carry over his talents to games. In these instances parents generally suggest to the child to practice more (or harder), when in reality continuing to practice in an empty gym (no pressure) does not address the real problem (learning mental toughness skills to combat pressure experienced in games).
The idea of improving mental toughness includes strengthening confidence while simultaneously reducing anxiety. In practice there is rarely any serious pressure, making sport tasks much easier to complete. For example, it’s 1,000 times easier to make free throws in an empty gym, or hit golf balls at the driving range when nobody is watching.
How pressure impacts sport performance
The pressure athletes feel can negatively impact sport performance in many ways. First, the physiological reaction related to nerves includes tense, tight muscles, rapid heart rate, and shallow breathing. When these responses occur, it becomes very difficult to synchronize mind and body and engage in those perfect muscle-memory routines.
Pressure can also impact focus, meaning an athlete dealing with pressure is more apt to say things like “don’t miss” rather than telling himself what to do (i.e. focus on this shot). Poor focus can also include worrying too much about the last bad play, or thinking ahead what will happen if another bad play occurs (i.e. the player might worry about being pulled form the game).
Address the real problem!
Help the young athlete in your life develop and improve upon his mental toughness, and I can assure you that you will see your child begin to perform in games similarly to what you see in pressure-free practices. On the other hand, by practicing harder, not smarter, you are likely to continue to see the same inconsistencies comparing practices to games. The good news is getting good information to help is widely available, so make sure to pursue comprehensive athletic training that includes mental toughness when helping your child develop in sports.
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