pressure

Sport Psychology Podcast: Perform Without Expectations

Sports Psychology Podcast

In this week’s sports psychology podcast, Dr. Cohn helps a basketball player who puts pressure on himself to perform. Sports psychology expert, Dr. Patrick Cohn helps athletes perform without expectations and tension in competition. Dr. Cohn answers the following mental game question: “I play pro basketball in Europe and after two games have not played well. I am … Sport Psychology Article…

How Coaches’ and Parents’ Expectations Hurt Athletes

Pressuring Young Athletes

Sport Parents: Do You Pressure Your Young Athletes? Youth coach Doug Donaldson says he knows intuitively when one of his young athletes feels pressured by a parent’s expectations. And he also knows the problems such well-meaning expectations can create in young athletes. For example, one of his player’s mothers wants the child to play goalie in Lacrosse. But … Sport Psychology Article…

Sports Psychology and Playing Well in the Big Game

Athletic Focus

What Should You be Focusing on Before a Big Game? Do you or your athletes train year around for a couple big competitions? Do you or your team perform at your peak levels in the big game? Why do some athletes rise to the occasion, whereas others fold under the pressure of big games? Mentally tough athletes raise … Sport Psychology Article…

How Pressure Causes Mental Game Woes and Lack of Fun

Golf Pressure

Are You Feeling Pressured in Your Sport? Not playing what you think is your “A” game can suck the fun right out of golf… Many of my golf students want to play well too badly. They then tighten up and actually play much worse! I see this pattern all the time…. You work your tail off, expect a … Sport Psychology Article…

Sports Psychology Helps Athletes “Get Out of Their Own Way”

Playing Freely

How to Play Freely in Sports Do you or your athletes need to “get out of your own way” when competing? You might be thinking: “What does it mean to get out of your own way?” Allow me to answer this question in one moment… What prompted me to write this post was an interview I saw after the 2008 … Sport Psychology Article…