Hey, athlete.
Let’s talk about something that’s probably been wrecking your game and you don’t even realize it.
Ever played against a team or opponent you know you should crush… only to end up playing just as bad as they are? Your energy drops. Your focus fades. Suddenly, you’re making sloppy mistakes you’d never make against a tougher team.
Sound familiar?
That’s called playing down to your competition and it’s a mental mistake. The good news? You can fix it today.
Here’s how to play to YOUR standard, no matter who’s across from you.
- Set Your Standard (And Stick to It)
Right now, you’re probably letting your opponent decide how you play.
Play a great team? You step up.
Play a weak team? You coast.
Problem? You’re on a rollercoaster, waiting for them to dictate your game. Champions don’t do that. They decide before they step on the court: “This is how I play, no matter what.”
Your Homework: Grab your phone or a notebook and write down: “My Top 3 Non-Negotiables” (What makes YOU the athlete you want to be?)
Example:
✅ Strong, confident body language (Head up, shoulders back—intimidating energy.)
✅ Always communicating (Loud, leading, hyping up teammates.)
✅ Bounce back FAST from mistakes (Next-play mentality.)
Key: Don’t just say, “I play hard.” What does that actually look like?
✅ Basketball: Driving hard to the hoop every possession.
✅ Volleyball: Taking aggressive swings, even on free balls.
✅ Soccer: Relentless pressure, no walking.
Your standard doesn’t change based on who you play. You decide.
- Lock Into Goals Bigger Than the Score
If you only care about winning, you’ll check out against weak competition. Boring games = lazy play.
Fix it: Challenge yourself with personal goals beyond the scoreboard.
Examples:
✅ Execute a specific skill (Hit 10 perfect serves, nail 3 steals, etc.)
✅ Stay locked in mentally (Zero mental lapses, even if you’re up big.)
✅ Be the energy booster (Hype your team, even when it’s easy.)
Pro Tip: If the game feels too easy, raise your own stakes. Try something new – take risks, test a move you’ve been working on. Don’t wait for the other team to push you – push yourself.
- Train Your Mind Before You Need It
Playing down to competition isn’t a skill problem, it’s a mental one. And the best athletes train their mindset like they train their sport.
How?
A. Visualize Your Game
You don’t need hours. Just 30 seconds to close your eyes and see yourself:
✅ Playing to your standard.
✅ Responding to mistakes fast.
✅ Dominating, even when the competition is weak.
Your brain doesn’t know the difference between real and imagined practice. So when you actually play, your mind says, “I’ve been here before.”
B. Have a Pregame Routine
Elite athletes don’t just warm up their bodies, they prep their minds. Do the same 2-3 things before every game to get locked in:
✅ Listen to a hype playlist.
✅ Do breathwork to stay calm.
✅ Visualize your first 3 plays.
No randomness. Train your mind like you train your skills.
Want a Competitive Edge? Train Your Mind.
Here’s the truth: The best athletes at every level – middle school, high school, pros – work on their mental game. They don’t just show up and hope for focus. They train it.
In my program, The Elite Mental Game, athletes learn:
✅ A mistake routine to bounce back fast.
✅ A pregame routine to walk in ready.
✅ How to shift self-talk from sabotaging to unstoppable.
Want a free taste of what mental training is and what it looks like to train your mind? Take the “What’s Your Competitor Style?” quiz HERE.
The Bottom Line
Stop letting weak competition drag you down. Set your standard. Play to it. Every. Single. Time.
Your game (and your stats) will thank you.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Introduction to the common problem of playing down to weaker competition.
[00:00:37] Shoutout to Kaylee, an athlete who improved her performance by focusing on mental training.
[00:01:42] Tip #1: Define and commit to your personal performance standards.
[00:04:00] Tip #2: Set personal performance goals beyond just winning.
[00:05:00] Tip #3: Train your mindset through visualization and pregame routines.
[00:07:00] Learn more about mental training through the Elite Mental Game program.
[00:08:11] Closing reminder: Elite athletes control their own level of play.
Next Steps:
- Athletes: Take the “What’s Your Competitor Style Quiz” here!
- Parents: Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms – How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter’s Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
- Visit our podcast website for more great episodes
Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.
