Episode Details

Why are you confident in practice but nervous in games?

Many athletes play freely and confidently during training — but once competition starts, they feel anxious, tight, and afraid of making mistakes. In this episode, I explain why this happens and the best approach for athletes who are confident in practice but nervous in games.

As a mental performance coach, this is one of the most common issues I see. The difference between practice and competition is not skill, it’s pressure, consequences, and how you respond to nervousness.

In this video, you’ll learn:

• Why games feel more intense than practice
• The real reason nervousness leads to tension and poor performance
• Why trying to “force confidence” makes things worse
• How to accept nerves without letting them control you
• How to shift from outcome-focused thinking to controllable goals
• A simple two-step approach to play more freely in competition

Key takeaway: Nervousness is not the problem. The way you respond to nervousness determines how you perform.

Instead of trying to eliminate nerves or create fake confidence, you’ll learn how to:

1. Acknowledge that games matter and accept nervousness
2. Focus on small, specific, controllable actions that lead to success

This process builds real confidence — the kind that shows up under pressure.

If you struggle with performance anxiety, game-day nerves, fear of mistakes, or playing worse in games than in practice, this episode will help you develop a stronger mental approach to competition.

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I also offer a 12-week 1-on-1 mental performance coaching program where we:

• Start with a full mental game assessment
• Build your custom mental game plan
• Meet weekly to train mental skills
• Use structured exercises and accountability
• Provide ongoing support between sessions

➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!

👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course

📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN

📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY

Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make

*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.