Article content Performing under pressure is never easy. Whether you’re trying to put the puck in the net, win a point on the court, achieve a personal best or take on a tough opponent, nerves can get the better of you — especially as the pressure to perform ramps up. We’ve all seen dramatic examples of pro athletes missing a field goal, kicking the ball over the net, dropping a pop fly and fanning on a shot.
But it doesn’t take a stadium full of fans to amp up the pressure. If you compete — even with yourself — there’s always a chance nerves will get in the way of achieving your goals. In sport it’s called choking, and it’s a common enough occurrence that researchers have studied the underlying causes and the strategies used to keep it from happening.
Several high-performance athletes work with sports psychologists to get a better handle on their nerves when the pressure heats up. But athletes competing at the amateur or recreational level rarely have the luxury of a performance coach, despite being every bit as invested in the outcome as someone whose paycheque is based on their athletic achievements. Whether it’s sinking a putt, competing in a pickleball tournament, trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon or winning in overtime in your local beer league, we can all use a few tips on how to succeed under pressure — especially if performing in stressful situations is a relatively new challenge.
How easy is to transform yourself from chocker to clutch .