For most people, Thanksgiving is all about relaxing, reconnecting with family, and feeling grateful for all the amazing things in their lives. While this is true for field hockey players as well, Thanksgiving often carries an additional meaning: Thanksgiving tournaments. Whether you’re heading to Festival in Florida or Shooting Star in Richmond, the recruiting aspect of these events can spark a ton of anxiety during what should be a fun, competitive weekend. I can still remember my first Thanksgiving tournament. I was a freshman in high school, and for weeks leading up to the event, I had been building it up in my head. How many coaches will be there? What if I mess up in front of them? Those questions ran through my mind all day. The negativity built so much anxiety that on Thanksgiving Day, the day before the tournament, I could barely eat.
Naturally, none of that helped me play my best. When I stepped on the field, I was nervous, tense, and overthinking every play. After every mistake, I couldn’t help but glance at the
coaches lined along the sideline and feel the pit in my stomach grow even deeper. The rest of the game followed that pattern: playing safe, relying heavily on my teammates, and avoiding risks. My errors didn’t stand out, but neither did I. After the game, I was frustrated and quiet on the drive back to the hotel with my dad. He could tell I was disappointed and gave me one piece of advice that not only changed my mindset that weekend, but my entire approach to performing under pressure. He said, “Control what you can control, and let the rest fall into place.”
That simple statement completely shifted my perspective from “Why isn’t this working?” to “What can I do to make this work?” Focusing only on the things within my control, such as my nutrition, my preparation, my warm-up, and my effort, pulled my attention away from the coaches on the sidelines and all the other anxiety-inducing distractions. That small mindset shift made a huge difference. In our next game, my team won 2-0, and I scored one of the goals. The game wasn’t perfect; I still made mistakes and had a few unlucky bounces. But after each one, I was able to reset and refocus on my in-game controllables. Staying locked in during high-pressure moments is a skill, and it becomes especially challenging when thirty college coaches are judging your every move. But by focusing on what you can control and letting go of everything else, you give yourself the best chance to block out the noise and truly play your best.
