31/07/2026
Almost all athletes experience some form of pre-game pressure, stress, or anxiety.
While a certain level of nerves and adrenaline before a game can increase reaction time, focus, and energy levels, too much can cause panic.
The goal isn’t no nerves at all, but controlled nerves.
Some of the ways you can control your anxiety before the game include:
💛 Reframing Your Thoughts: Instead of thinking “I have to win this”, reframe your thoughts and tell yourself, “I’ve trained for this. I can do this.”
💛 Having a Pre-game Playlist: Listening to music before a game is a great way to create a sense of routine and control.
💛 Distract Yourself: Talking to your teammates or participating in a warmup prevents overthinking and stops the brain’s anxiety loop.
💛 Turn Nerves into Excitement: Convincing yourself that anxiety is excitement, is a great way to reframe your racing heartbeat in a positive light.
💛 Box Breathing: Proven to calm down nerves and anxiety, the box breathing method entails breathing in for 4 seconds, holding your breath for 4 seconds, breathing out for 4 seconds, and then holding your breath again from 4 seconds.
Visit our Wellness Hub today for professional support on how to deal with pregame pressure. https://www.mhfa.org.au/
