It’s normal to think things like: I just lost us the game, I let my team down, I shouldn’t be playing at this level. Normal doesn’t necessarily mean objective, though, and the way you see a game unfolding isn’t guaranteed to be accurate either. In team sports it’s very hard to be the sole cause of a win or a loss. Think back to a time you had a bad game and your team still won. Think back to a time one of your teammates had a bad game and your team still won. You are the cent

One mistake is easy to brush off. Consecutive errors can be harder for you to shake. You might take more ownership of a game’s outcome than is realistic. Take yourself out of the equation and be a ‘scientist.’ Some athletes suggest developing a ‘goldfish memory.’ This means forgetting the last play, then focusing on the next one - this helps you stay present. However, that skill is incomplete without the ability to cope with the emotions and thoughts that compound after repea