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The Power of Asking the Right Questions in Competition
In the high-pressure world of athletic competition, your mindset can be your greatest asset—or your biggest obstacle. In a recent episode of the Rooted Sport Psychology Podcast, host Georgia Miller explores a deceptively simple but transformative concept: the questions athletes ask themselves during performance.
The right questions can keep you focused, resilient, and adaptable, while the wrong ones can lead to overthinking, hesitation, and distraction.
This blog post breaks down Georgia’s expert insights, offering actionable advice for athletes, coaches, and anyone facing high-stakes situations. We’ll explore the most common unhelpful questions, why they’re problematic, and how to replace them with powerful alternatives that keep you present and performing at your best.
Why the Questions You Ask Matter
The internal dialogue you maintain during competition shapes your focus, confidence, and ability to adapt. Georgia Miller emphasizes that while self-talk is natural, the quality of your questions determines whether you spiral into unproductive thought patterns or stay rooted in the present moment.
The Main Theme: Productive Self-Questioning
- Unhelpful questions often lead to overanalysis, self-doubt, and distraction.
- Helpful questions keep you grounded, focused on the present, and ready to take action.
Let’s break down the most common unhelpful questions and discover the expert strategies Georgia recommends for replacing them.
1. The Trap of “Why is This Happening?” During Competition
Why It’s Unhelpful
- Overthinking Mechanics: Asking “why” in the heat of the moment (e.g., “Why am I missing my free throws?”) leads to overanalyzing your technique when you should be focused on execution.
- Paralysis by Analysis: This question can cause you to freeze, hesitate, or lose confidence.
- Emotional Drain: Dwelling on “why” can trigger frustration, self-doubt, and even anger.
Real-World Example:
Georgia shares how volleyball players, after a few missed serves, start questioning their abilities. Instead of moving forward, they get stuck in a loop of self-doubt, which only worsens performance.
When to Ask “Why”
- Post-Game Reflection: Review film, talk with your coach, and analyze with a clear mind.
- Long-Term Growth: “Why” questions often become clearer after processing and reflection.
Actionable Advice
- In the Moment: Let go of the need to analyze. Accept that not every performance will be perfect.
- After the Game: Schedule time to reflect and use “why” to inform your training and preparation.
2. The Pitfall of “How Can I Fix This?” Mid-Game
Why It’s Unhelpful
- Disrupts Flow: Trying to fix your mechanics mid-performance pulls you out of the present.
- Leads to Hesitation: Over-correcting results in inconsistency.
- Undermines Trust: Constant tweaking shows a lack of trust in your training.
Real-World Example:
A college pitcher, after a few bad curveballs, adjusted his grip mid-inning—only to make more mistakes.
When to Fix
- Practice and Training: Experiment, adjust, and refine your skills.
- Game Time: Trust your preparation. Adapt using your strengths.
Actionable Advice
- During Competition: Focus on execution, not correction. Switch tools if needed.
- In Practice: Take mental notes on issues and address them during your next session.
3. The Distraction of “Why Did Coach Do That?”
Why It’s Unhelpful
- Shifts Focus: Wondering why you were benched distracts you from your role.
- Assumptions: Athletes often misread coaching decisions as personal criticism.
- Erodes Trust: Questioning in-game decisions undermines team cohesion.
Real-World Example:
Georgia notes athletes often internalize coaching decisions, leading to resentment and self-doubt—when the reasoning may be unrelated to performance.
When to Ask
- After the Game: Approach your coach with curiosity, not defensiveness.
- During Competition: Trust their strategy and stay focused.
Actionable Advice
- In the Moment: Redirect your attention to your current role.
- Post-Game: Schedule a feedback session with your coach to gain understanding.
4. The Spiral of Negative “What If?” Thoughts
Why It’s Unhelpful
- Feeds Anxiety: “What if I fail?” primes you for worst-case scenarios.
- Creates Hesitation: Fear makes you play tentatively.
- Limits Potential: Negative focus restricts confidence and performance.
Reframing “What If?”
- Shift to Positive Possibilities: Ask “What if I succeed?” or “What if I play my best?”
- Build Optimism: Reframing creates motivation and excitement.
Actionable Advice
- Notice Negative “What Ifs”: When you catch one, pause and reframe.
- Practice Positive Visualization: Regularly imagine best-case outcomes to build confidence.
5. The Golden Question: “What Now?”
Why It’s Powerful
- Keeps You Present: Focuses on the next step—not past mistakes.
- Promotes Action: Encourages solution-based thinking.
- Reduces Overthinking: Blocks analysis paralysis and builds momentum.
Real-World Application:
- Missed a shot? → “What now?” → Get back on defense.
- Injured? → “What now?” → Focus on recovery and mindset.
- Benched? → “What now?” → Be a great teammate and stay ready.
Actionable Advice
- Make “What Now?” Your Mantra: Use it as a mental reset cue.
- Practice in Training: Make it automatic so it shows up under pressure.
Key Takeaways and Expert Recommendations
- Save “Why” for Reflection: Use it after the game to grow—not during the heat of play.
- Don’t Fix Mid-Game: Trust your training. Adapt with what’s working, not what’s broken.
- Trust Your Coach: Don’t internalize strategy decisions. Focus on your current role.
- Reframe “What Ifs”: Replace fear with possibility to boost confidence.
- Ask “What Now?”: Keep your focus in the present and move forward.
Final Thoughts
The questions you ask yourself in the heat of competition can make or break your performance. By replacing unhelpful questions with empowering ones, you can stay rooted in the present, adapt to challenges, and perform at your best—not just in sports, but in any high-pressure situation.
For more expert insights and practical tools, listen to the full episode of the Rooted Sports Psychology Podcast. If you’re interested in one-on-one coaching or additional resources, visit Georgia Miller’s website or call (786) 833-8585.
Keep asking the right questions, stay rooted, and keep moving forward.
Listen to the episode now: Rooted Sports Psychology Podcast