How Kyrie Irving Copes With Pressure
Summary: Excessive pressure often stems from athletes internalizing the expectations of parents, coaches, or teammates. Performance anxiety spikes when athletes fixate on outcomes rather than the game itself. By approaching every competition as “just another game,” focusing on unchanged aspects of the sport, and concentrating on the process rather than results, athletes can lessen pressure, maintain composure, and perform with freedom and confidence.
Many times, athletes attribute poor performance to pressure and nervousness. These athletes often complain that their parents, coaches, or teammates put too much pressure on them.
While parents and coaches create an environment of pressure, they are not the cause of pressure. The cause of pressure is when the athlete internalizes the expectations of others.
When an athlete experiences extreme pressure to succeed, anxiety skyrockets and performance crashes.
Even when a lot is riding on the competition, such as playing in an elimination game, competing against a rival or performing at nationals, the game remains the same as it always has.
In gymnastics, the apparatuses are the same as when you were younger.
In baseball, the distance between bases is constant.
In volleyball, the net is the same height as it is during practices.
In tennis, the court size is standard.
Even in golf, though conditions and courses may differ, the game has not changed from when you were younger.
If you Take this Approach, you can Lessen the Pressure to Perform
One strategy to cope with performance anxiety was employed by Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving.
Irving was traded from an NBA powerhouse team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was paired up with LeBron James, one of the best players of all-time. Irving had the charge of pushing the Celtics over the top in hopes of winning an NBA championship.
Coupled with the fact that Irving was facing his former team for the first time, the potential for excessive pressure was palpable.
When asked if he was anxious for the clash against his former team, Irving stated there was no pressure at all.
IRVING: “No. Why would it be? It’s just hoops. It’s just hooping. I understand the magnitude. I get all that. It’s part of the game. It’s been a part of the game for a while. But, it’s just two hoops and a basketball.”
Irving maintains his composure with his standard approach to every game, no matter the circumstances…
Being booed by opposing fans, being down by 30 points, being in championship games, defending against top scores, taking the final shot of the game…
IRVING: “It’s just fun, man. That’s it. It’s pretty simple. I don’t really see it as a pressure situation… it’s just fun basketball. It’s like being in the park, and the game is 7-7, and the game is to eight, and someone calls win by two… I don’t want to say the NBA is like playing at the park, but to me, I kind of just see that as that fun basketball.”
If you can approach every game as just another game, no more and no less, you can perform with freedom.
How to Minimize Pressure:
Identify 3 parts of competition that have remained the same since your earlier days of competing. Tell yourself, “The game is the same. Go out and have fun.”
You may need to remind yourself of this mindset several times during the competition, especially when you feel your nerves building.
Try to focus on the process instead of worrying about the outcome of competition and what it means to you. Your worry is directed at the outcome and aftermath of competition.
4 Tips to Minimize Pressure and Perform Freely
1. Recognize the Source of Pressure
Pressure isn’t caused by parents, coaches, or teammates—it comes from internalizing their expectations. Focus on controlling your mindset rather than external opinions.
2. Approach Every Game the Same Way
Treat every game or competition as “just another game.” Standardizing your approach helps reduce anxiety, allowing you to perform with freedom and consistency.
3. Focus on What Hasn’t Changed
Identify aspects of your sport that have stayed the same since your early playing days, such as court dimensions, equipment, or rules. Remind yourself, “The game is the same. Go out and have fun.”
4. Prioritize Process Over Outcome
Concentrate on executing each skill, play, or routine rather than obsessing about the final result. Focusing on the process keeps you present, reduces nervousness, and improves performance.
Start by checking out how to become a fearless athlete…
Related Sports Psychology Articles:
- Improving Athletic Team Culture
- Letting Go of Mistakes in Competition
- Do You Underestimate Your Opponents?
Boost Your Self-Confidence With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
Expert mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues in sports with personal coaching. We do mental training with athletes of all levels and ages–about 12 years and up. And mental training is not just for elite or professional athletes.
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FAQ: How to Minimize Game Time Pressure
Q: What causes pressure in sports?
A: Pressure arises when athletes internalize expectations from coaches, parents, or teammates—not from the people themselves.
Q: How can I perform without feeling pressure?
A: Treat every game or competition as “just another game,” focus on the process, and remind yourself of aspects of the sport that haven’t changed since you started playing.
Q: Why is focusing on the process better than outcomes?
A: Focusing on the process keeps athletes present, reduces anxiety, and improves performance by allowing you to execute skills without being distracted by potential results.
Q: How do professional athletes handle pressure?
A: Many top athletes, like Kyrie Irving, maintain composure by treating games as fun and focusing on playing rather than worrying about stakes, scores, or outcomes.
Q: How often should I remind myself that “the game is the same”?
A: Especially when nerves build during competition, repeat this mindset to stay calm, confident, and focused on executing your skills.
Dr. Patrick Cohn is an expert mental performance coach who has helped athletes for over 30 years enhance their performance. Dr. Cohn earned a master’s degree in sports psychology from CSUF and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, specializing in Applied Sports Psychology.