Modeling the Fast Women of Racing

by Marie Dalloway, Ph.D.

For developing greater pressure-handling ability, we need to examine individuals who are excellent at handling risk and pressure. The fast women of race car driving, those who are the best at handling pressure and risk, become the models.

Drivers, such as Shari Minter, the NASCAR Sportsman Division and ARCA SuperCar Series Driver; the fearless Andrea Kasiewicz, Sports 2000, SCCA 1996 National Champion; and Margie Smith-Haas, ACRL National Champion, become the models in terms of the mental processes they use under pressure.

The question is, What do they do mentally that allows them to perform so well under pressure? Those who are excellent at managing stress follow a sequence of emotional and mental events or processes. A map is needed of that sequence of events. Similar to a regular map, it shows the way for others to follow to perform under pressure.

Differences Between Good and Poor Pressure Performers

Under pressure, good pressure performers and poor pressure performers differ in two main ways. Top performers in sports under conditions of pressure operate in a peak stress state, the energetic state of activation and intensity at which they perform their best.

Poor pressure performers when faced with pressure points operate outside of their peak stress state. They may be flat and below their peak level. Or, they may be overstressed and in a state of too much energy and activation.

The second difference between good pressure performers and poor pressure performers centers on the mental/emotional state that occurs under pressure. The mind of a champion under conditions of pressure focuses on thoughts and feelings that are neutral or positive and that create a mental/emotional state of being psyched up and challenged.

The mental/emotional state is characterized by a sense of challenge and thoughts such as, "This is it." "Now is my chance." "Now I can show what I can do." "This is my opportunity." In contrast, the poor pressure performer under conditions of pressure experiences fear, worry, and anxiety.

Differences Between Good and Poor Pressure Performers Become Mental Training Objectives

The two main differences between good pressure performers and poor pressure performers involve being in a peak stress state and having a mental/emotional state of challenge with an absence of feelings related to fear worry or anxiety. These two differences are the two results that other athletes need to achieve to duplicate the good pressure performers.

To regulate your stress level requires learning relaxation training techniques (such as biofeedback training, progressive relaxation, breathing techniques, and autogenic training) and psyching up procedures (such as physical workouts, use of affirmations, and goal setting). The relaxation methods train you to decrease your stress level. The psyching up procedures train you to increase your stress or activation level.

Performing well under pressure also involves eliminating thoughts and feelings related to fear, worry or anxiety. The mental training methods for reaching a state without worry and anxiety include simulated event training, pressure training in practices, pre-competition plans, and controlling internal dialogue.

The aim in high risk sports is to experience the right amount of stress to gear you up to perform at your best level without the negative effects of fear, worry and anxiety. Learning to overcome the negative effects of pressure means being able to operate in a peak stress state and to be free of fear or worry under conditions of pressure.

Marie Dalloway, a sport psychologist and writer in Phoenix, Arizona, has written five books on mental training in sports.

Phone: (602) 274-1889
Fax: (602) 274-0466
Email: dalloway@getnet.com