Mental Tools Cornhole Players Need For Consistency & Peak Performance
Jan 10, 2024
Playing a competitive sport such as Cornhole requires more than just physical prowess. It requires a deep understanding of oneself and one's reactions to various stressful situations. But don't worry, this stress is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, learning to navigate through our automatic responses can make us better players and better individuals in general. So let's delve into these automatic responses and learn how we can manage them to improve our consistency and reach peak performance in Cornhole.
When faced with a stressful situation, such as a competitive Cornhole match, our bodies tend to react in one of four ways: Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn. Each of these represents a different kind of hormonal and physiological response, and understanding them can help us manage our reactions better:
- Fight: This response is characterized by feelings of anger and frustration, aggression, and agitation. Your body directs energy towards your chest, arms, and head. If you notice this response, try to shake your arms, growl or scream, punch a pillow, or slowly push your arms out.
- Flight: This response is marked by feelings of fear or anxiety and a desire to escape or create distance. Your body channels energy to your legs. If you experience this response, try to run, sprint, or jump in place.
- Freeze: This response is recognized by feelings of being on edge, intense waiting without taking any action, feelings of immobility or inaction, and suspended breath. If you find yourself freezing, try to reconnect with your breath, put your hands on your body, attune to your environment and the present moment, and encourage yourself.
- Fawn: This response is identified by dissociation, self-denial, and downplaying threats. If you notice this response, try to return to yourself, recharge and restore by elevating your legs above your heart, hug your chest with your arms, and practice full body breathing.
Remember, the key to managing these responses is to remind yourself that you are safe and that your feelings and experiences are valid.
Understanding Your Reactions in a Cornhole Match
Every phase of a Cornhole tournament or match can trigger different automatic responses. Let's consider each phase:
- Before a Tournament/Match: You might feel a need for approval, fear of rejection, fear of embarrassment, or lack of confidence.
- During a Tournament/Match: You might feel pressure to perform, disembodiment (getting stuck in your head), feelings of nervousness, anger, frustration, or shame, or a need to control the outcome.
- After a Tournament/Match: You might encounter nervous system triggers (Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn), negotiating or blaming, or excuse making.
Remember, understanding and managing your responses to stress can be a game-changer in Cornhole, so take the first step towards peak performance today.
