Geir Jordet

Anxiety is a normal reaction in pressure situations. The question with respect to how it will impact performance is: how do you interpret it and what do you do with it?

Studies show that when athletes are put in the same pressure situations, some will interpret it as threatening (and negative), while others will interpret it as challenging (and positive).

Performance under pressure, we are strongly reminded, is not about being fearless, and without discomfort; it is about acting despite fear and discomfort—acting directly in the face of those things.

The psychological game is more about accepting being vulnerable and exposed under this type of pressure, and then taking the necessary steps to cope with and perform under it. This involves skill development, control strategies, teamwork, quality pressure training and sensitive coach communication and support.

This is something I have experienced so many times since: the ones who approach you after a presentation are nearly always the ones who are already the most proficient. They are very good, but they want to be better. This is the mindset of so many high achievers.

Pressure training seems to work. It changes athletes’ relationship to pressure. It enables them to think: ‘Yes, the pressure I am likely to experience in my role is uncomfortable, but it can be practiced for, adjusted to and controlled.

This means that this is vitally important for a team to cope with and recover from a miss. A miss is often just a temporary setback. What matters is how the team collectively responds to that setback.