Sports psychology techniques help athletes manage pressure

Professional athletes utilize specific mental techniques to manage pressure and maintain focus during high-stakes situations. Simas Baltrūnas, a goalkeeper and coach for the Vilnius-based Hockey Punks team, emphasizes that training must include various unpredictable scenarios to prepare athletes for the unexpected.

According to a 2024 study published in the ‘International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology’, which synthesized data from over 500 sports professionals across 45 disciplines, effective methods for performing under pressure include established preparation routines, visualization, and training sessions that intentionally simulate high-tension environments.