Exploring the concept of choking under pressure, this chapter shares personal experiences and examples from sports to highlight the impact of anxiety and overthinking on performance. The discussion delves into the characteristics of athletes who are prone to choking and the potential mental health implications of experiencing this phenomenon. It sheds light on ongoing research and reveals startling statistics on the emotional toll that choking can have on athletes.
The siren has sounded. The scores are even. A footy player has one final chance to kick an easy goal to get his team into the finals.
He’s right in front of the goals. He lines up. Kicks. Misses. The pressure of such a moment was phenomenal, and the player choked under it.
So what happens in the brain during such intense periods? Why can some people remain calm while others can’t handle it?
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