Ignore the Scoreboard
In the playoffs, the talent level evens out, and the margin for error becomes razor-thin. So how can we gain the edge and win those crucial, game-deciding moments?
One powerful strategy is to reinforce the mindset of ignoring the scoreboard.
While the scoreboard is essential for keeping fans, journalists, and coaches informed, it can also be a major distraction for athletes, pulling their focus away from executing at their highest level.
We Can't Develop An Emotional Attachment to the Scoreboard
When athletes become emotionally tied to the scoreboard, their sense of success and self-worth hinges on the game's outcome. Each point or change in score can trigger emotional swings—highs and lows that lead to frustration, anxiety, or overconfidence, depending on the situation. This emotional rollercoaster clouds judgment, disrupts composure, and undermines decision-making and mental resilience. In high-stakes games, it’s crucial for athletes to stay composed and focused, whether they’re leading by 14 points or trailing by 14.
By focusing too much on the scoreboard, athletes often lose connection to the present moment, shifting their attention from the process to the result. This fixation can cause performance to dip as they stray from the actions and strategies they’ve trained to execute. In contrast, athletes who remain emotionally detached from the scoreboard maintain a steadier, more composed approach. This mindset allows them to recover from setbacks more effectively and stay focused on performing at their best, regardless of the game's circumstances.
What Separates the ‘Good from the Great’ Is Controlling Their Thoughts
A major pitfall for many athletes is becoming consumed by the fear of failure. This fear can create crippling anxiety, causing athletes to worry about mistakes or missed opportunities before they even occur. Doubt and hesitation then creep into their play, disrupting their focus.
Michael Jordan mastered the art of silencing these fears. Unlike many, he never allowed thoughts of failure to take root in his mind. Instead, he focused on what he could control: the present moment. He didn’t dwell on the shots he hadn’t taken or stress over how the game would unfold. By trusting in his preparation and abilities, Jordan freed himself from the mental burden of fear, allowing him to confidently approach each opportunity, take calculated risks, and thrive under pressure.
Greatness lies in controlling one’s thoughts and focusing on the process, not the outcome. By ignoring the scoreboard and blocking out fear, athletes can channel their energy into their performance, execute without hesitation, and recover quickly from mistakes. This mindset leads to more consistent, high-quality performances, even in intense, pressure-filled moments.
“A 4-2 Lead in Hockey Is the Worst Lead of All…”
Having a comfortable lead can be dangerous. In sports like hockey, for example, a 4-2 lead is often said to be the worst lead in the game. When teams find themselves in this position, they frequently shift from playing to win to playing not to lose. The focus moves from staying aggressive and executing well to cautiously protecting the lead. This change in mentality can lead to hesitancy, a lack of urgency, and a breakdown in execution.
When teams stop playing intensely, they open the door for their opponents to regain momentum. Instead of staying on the attack and building on what got them the lead, they become passive, allowing the other team to chip away at the deficit. It’s easy for the tide to turn, and before they know it, the lead is gone, and they’re struggling to regain control.
To avoid this, athletes must continue playing the game the right way—executing their strategies, maintaining focus, and staying aggressive, no matter the score. It’s about committing to the process and not taking their foot off the gas.
We Don't Win Games - We Win Plays
To ignore the scoreboard, you must understand that you don’t win games; you win plays. Success is built on a series of individual moments, each play representing an opportunity to execute at your highest level. Focusing on the process of winning each play, rather than the overall score, keeps your attention on what you can control—your effort, decision-making, and execution. By staying committed to winning one play at a time, you allow yourself to stay present, minimize distractions, and perform consistently and confidently, regardless of the score.
Scoreboards are valuable for spectators, but they can distract the untrained athlete. Whether they’re ahead, behind, or in a tight contest, all our focus should be on this play.
Whether something good or bad happens, whether we're ahead or behind, we have one job—ignore the scoreboard and win the next play. By training your athletes to adopt this mindset, you’ll empower them to be mentally tough, no matter the circumstances.
