Coach/Corner Duties: Mindset Reframes

One of the biggest obstacles athletes face before competition is how they handle pressure. Pressure isn’t an inherently bad thing; it is actually a necessary component to getting athletes focused enough to perform at their best.

The goal isn’t to remove the pressure (that’s impossible); the job is to help your athlete handle it well so they can perform. And this starts with how we talk to the athlete. Many well-meaning phrases/cliches are dismissive of the realities of the situation and ultimately, useless. Feelings can be a powerful influence on performance. Yes, feeling confident can help, but it is not required; athletes can still perform well despite feeling doubt and fear because they have the capacity to handle them despite their presence.

Just as you train your athlete to move, train them on how to think by being precise on what you say leading up to and on the day of the fight:

BEFORE THE FIGHT AFTER A WIN AFTER A LOSS

MINDSET REFRAMES

✅ You don't have to feel calm to do well

❌ Just relax

✅ Focus on what you have to do

❌ Stop overthinking/You're going to be fine

✅ Trust in your preparation

❌ Just be confident

✅ Use this pressure to focus on your job

❌ There's no pressure/The outcome doesn't matter

✅ Competition feels different but the moves are the same

❌ This is just like training

MINDSET REFRAMES

Celebrate the win, just don't let your athlete be cocky 🙏

MINDSET REFRAMES

✅ It's okay to be disappointed

❌ Don't worry about it

✅ What do you think happened in the ring?

❌ You did your best

✅ What do you want to take from this experience?

❌ You'll get it next time

✅ What did you do well and what do you need to work on?

❌ Don't be so hard on yourself

✅ I know this means a lot to you (and then be quiet and let them talk it out or sit in silence)

❌ Just let it go

“Nothing gets easier, you just learn to handle hard better.”

— Kara Lawson