Athletes put so much pressure on themselves during games.
Then at practice, they relax, play free, and perform at their best.
This is backwards!
Cue the Diamond Method
You need to flip your approach to practices and games.
Credit to Coach Sara who came up with this analogy while reading “The Confident Mind” by Nate Zinsser.
Here’s how it works…
1) Increase Pressure at Practice
Diamonds are made from incredible amounts of pressure.
Since practices are where you get better, this is where you should put pressure on yourself, raise your standards, and push yourself to grow (aka, make the diamonds at practice).
2) Let Yourself Shine in Games
When it’s game time, stop putting all the pressure on yourself – the diamond is already made.
Remember, don’t be too hard on yourself. Diamonds have flaws and they are not perfect.
Time to polish the diamond, own your capabilities, and let them shine!
Why it Works
This analogy works great because as an elite athlete you are naturally prone to put too much pressure on yourself in games and not enough in practice.
So this approach helps balance the scales and create an optimal mindset.
Pressure is self-imposed. It is not inherently good or bad.
What matters is the perspective you have and how you use it to your advantage.
I hope this analogy gave you a new way to think about pressure in games.
Please share this with anyone you think would be interested.
Blair has over 13 years of experience as a Professional Dancer, Assistant Dance Captain & Cast Manager, as well as an additional 17 years of training. Over the last 3 decades, she has lived and experienced first hand the highest of highs & lowest of lows that come with pursuing a career in the Performing Arts.
Alexis Woloschuk is a name synonymous with mental fortitude in the world of professional hockey. Throughout her career originating playing boys hockey, going to an academy away from home, playing her four years at Boston University and 7+ years in pro hockey she’s learned the importance of resilience, confidence, and dismissing both fear and other’s opinions. With a blend of relatability, confidence, and an acute understanding of playing to one’s potential, Alexis helps athletes reshape the way they perceive and harness the power of their minds.
Sean Mahoney is a member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), and a Master’s candidate in the Sport and Performance Psychology program at the University of Denver. For as long as he can remember, Sean has been fascinated by human performance and how to gain an edge over the competition. For most of his athletic career, he focused on the physical aspect of performance but neglected the mental. Because of this, he struggled with performance anxiety, focus issues, and limiting beliefs pertaining to confidence and self-doubt. His lack of focus on optimizing his mental game prevented him from reaching his full potential.
Louie is a mental performance coach from Toronto, Canada with a professional hockey career spanning over 14 years. Being a standout player at the University of Michigan, Louie was a Hobey Baker finalist and a 1st team All-American, which led him to getting drafted by the Ottawa Senators and playing in renowned leagues across the globe, including the DEL, SHL, and AHL.
As a former member of McMaster University’s women’s soccer team, Emilie intimately understands the demands and challenges athletes face on and off the field. Although she encountered many challenges as a high-level athlete, particularly struggling with self-doubt and overthinking, Emilie was able to make a remarkable transformation when she began to embrace the principles of sports psychology.
Max is currently attending William James College, where he is earning a Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Masters Degree in Professional Psychology. During his time as an undergraduate student, Max was inducted into the International Honor Society in Psychology (Psi Chi), and played on the Quinnipiac University men’s club ice hockey team.
Danielle Hanus, MA
Monica Russell, MA
