Why do I practice better than I play in competition? |12 March 2020

Why do I practice better than I play in competition? This was a question recently asked by many athletes.

One of the athletes followed up the question with “How can I make shots in matches like I make in practice?

I play fine in practice but when I play in a match, my performance level seems to drop by 20 to 30 percent.”

Let’s look at this issue in further detail… First, this issue must be difficult and challenging for you. You experience one level of confidence in practice but when it is most important to play at a high level, your confidence seems to vanish.

When you perform in practice, you play freely without worry. You have no qualms about taking risks. In fact, you feel confident in your ability to execute new skills you are learning in practice.

In competition, you feel nervous and play it safe, which leads to not taking risks or using your skills you learned in practice. After a mistake, you play more cautiously – afraid to make more mistakes.

You might think, “I ALWAYS play poorly in competition.” This mindset seeps into other areas of your game also.

Why is there such a performance disparity from practices to competition?

The problem lies in your perception. You see competitions as bigger than they are. You put more pressure on yourself to perform perfectly in competition.

Let’s delve into this a bit more...

How do you feel physically when you play in practice? You feel powerful, light on your feet, quick, loose and energetic. How do you feel physically when the pressure is on in competition? You feel tight, sluggish, apprehensive and slow.

How do you feel mentally in practice? You feel confident, focused relaxed and clear-headed. In competition, how do you feel mentally? You might feel anxious, doubtful, fearful and scattered.

Additionally, when you under-perform at the start of competition, you think, “Here I go again.”  That thought processes reinforce your belief that you cannot play as well in matches as you do in practice.

How to perform more freely in competition

● The key to increasing your performance in competition is to, first, overcome the pressure you feel.

● Start by comparing the difference between your mindset in practice and your mindset in competition.

● What are the fears or expectations that increase pressure for you?

● How can you minimise that pressure?

● How can you view the game in the same light as you do in practice?

● Next, you have to address your fear head on.

● How will you overcome the worry about what teammates or coach thinks, for example?

● How will you focus on the process instead of worrying about the outcome?

Those simple little questions will help the players and coaches address the disparity in performance in practice and competition.

Maurice Denys (Mr)                                                                                                              

Certified Mental Coach (CMC)

S.N.H.S. Dip (Sports Psychology)                                                  

S.N.H.S.Dip (Life coaching)