How to Stop Overthinking During Games

Overthinking during games can cause athletes to hesitate, second-guess decisions, question their mechanics, and struggle to perform as well as they do in practice. In this episode, I explain how to stop overthinking during games, trust your skills, and compete with more confidence and freedom.

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In this episode, you'll learn what overthinking looks like in sports, why athletes overthink during games, and how fear of mistakes, perfectionism, outcome-focused thinking, and a lack of trust can lead to hesitation, tension, and underperforming.

I'll also explain the difference between a training mindset and a performing mindset, plus three practical strategies to stop overthinking: simplify your thoughts, use count breathing to calm your mind, and develop a simple in-game reset routine. You'll also learn how to trust yourself, commit to your decisions, and let your natural skills take over during competition.

Not quite ready for 1-1 coaching? Learn more about my two self-paced online courses.

👉 The Confident Competitor Academy: https://www.successstartswithin.com/confident-competitor-academy/

👉 The Mentally Tough Kid: https://www.successstartswithin.com/the-mentally-tough-kid/

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

1:28 What Overthinking Looks Like in Sports

6:41 Why Athletes Overthink During Games

12:58 How Overthinking Causes You to Underperform

16:32 Stop Overthinking During Games

27:32 One-on-One Mental Performance Coaching

📖 Read my complete guide to How to Stop Overthinking During Games: https://www.successstartswithin.com/sports-psychology-articles/self-talk-for-sports/how-to-stop-overthinking-during-games/

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🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/

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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.