Shifters

What’s on your mind when you’re pacing? Pre-match nerves all come from thinking about the wrong things. Shifters help you redirect your focus to stay locked in.

Typical traps: Your opponent (their ranking, common opponents, etc.), negative noise “this match is huge”, “what if I lose?”, etc.

Popular Shifters — pick a few that work best, rotate them pre-match

Gratitude- Think of anything you’re grateful for, it’ll still be there win or lose.
Ex: Your people (friends/family), something you’re looking forward to, the ability to move, etc.

Pride- Reflect on some of your best performances and the work you’ve put in.
Ex: Big wins, comebacks, OT victories, brutal practices, etc.

Visualization- Pick any vision, imagine it as clearly as possible. What you’re seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, etc.
Ex: A funny memory, a favorite place or thing to do, your post-match meal, etc.

Follow Breath- Inhale for 4 seconds (visualizing favorite color), hold it for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds (exhaling same color), repeat.

Faith- The result is already written, whatever happens is for a reason. All you can do is let it fly and have fun.

The goal is simple: keep your mind off the noise.

FYI - Shifters work for any tense situation, not just before competition.