How to Calm Your Nerves and Peak in the Postseason

Joe Grello of Bergen Catholic high school, was a standout wrestler in New Jersey, placing sixth in the state as a sophomore. But after that season, he hit a wall. The sport that had once been his passion now felt like a burden. He was burnt out, overwhelmed by pressure, and wrestling wasn’t fun anymore.

That summer, Joe began mindset training. Fast forward to the next season—his junior year at the NJSIAA State Tournament in Atlantic City. Before the semifinals, we watched him laughing and smiling with his coaches. At that moment, we knew his mindset training had already paid off—before he even stepped on the mat.

Not only did he go on to win that match, but in the finals, he avenged an earlier-season loss and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NJ state tournament history. Even more important? He enjoyed the process.

Joe’s story proves that mindset training can take you from feeling overwhelmed and stressed out to wrestling with confidence, calmness, and joy—even on the biggest stage.

If you’re feeling nerves before the postseason, you’re not alone. But the good news is, you can train your mind just like you train your body. Here’s how to stay calm, control your emotions, and peak when it matters most:

1. Focus on What You Can Control

Too often, wrestlers stress over things outside of their control—who their opponent is, the size of the crowd, or what’s at stake. Instead, shift your focus to what you can control:
---Your preparation
---Your effort
---Your attitude
---Your aggressiveness

This shift doesn’t happen overnight. Mindset training helps wrestlers build habits that keep them focused on what matters, rather than distractions that create pressure.

2. Shift from Outcome Thinking to Process Thinking

One of the biggest mistakes wrestlers make in the postseason is getting caught up in results—thinking about winning, losing, rankings, or who’s watching. That kind of thinking creates pressure. Instead, focus on the process—what you need to do in each position, how you want to wrestle, and the effort you’re putting in.

Ask yourself:
---Am I thinking about scoring the next point?
---Am I staying aggressive and wrestling free?

This is where a mindset coach makes a huge difference. They help you rewire your thinking so you naturally focus on execution rather than outcomes. This shift in thinking is what separates good wrestlers from great ones in high-pressure moments.

3. Use a Pre-Match Routine

The best wrestlers have a consistent warm-up routine that gets them into the right mindset. This might include:
---A physical warm-up to get your body ready
---Visualization of key positions and success
---Listening to music or positive affirmations

A structured routine helps you feel in control and reduces last-minute anxiety. With the help of a mindset coach, you can develop a pre-match routine that maximizes confidence and eliminates unnecessary nervousness.

4. Change Your View of Nerves

Instead of seeing nerves as something negative, reframe them as energy. Your body is getting ready to compete—it’s nota sign of weakness.

Next time you feel your heart rate increase or butterflies in your stomach, remind yourself:
-This is normal
-This means I’m ready
-I’m going to use this energy to wrestle my best

A mindset coach helps you make this shift instantly so that instead of letting nerves hold you back, you learn to use them to your advantage.

5. Trust Your Training

By the time you step on the mat, the hard work is already done. You don’t need to do anything extraordinary—just trust what you’ve trained.

Remind yourself:
---“I’ve done this a thousand times before.”
---“I’m prepared for this moment.”
---“I’m ready to wrestle freely and aggressively.”

Mindset training ensures that, when the moment comes, you don’t let doubt creep in. You develop unshakable confidence in your preparation, so all that’s left to do is execute.

6. Keep Perspective

At the end of the day, wrestling is just a sport. Win or lose, your value as a person doesn’t change. The best way to enjoy the postseason and perform at your peak is to wrestle without fear.

Wrestle to score points—not to avoid losing. Compete with aggression and confidence—not hesitation and doubt.

Work with a Wrestling Mindset Coach to Take Your Mental Game to the Next Level

The postseason isn’t just about who is the strongest or most skilled—it’s about who has the strongest mindset. If you want to perform at your best under pressure, mental training is essential.

A mindset coach gives you the tools to:
-Control your nerves in high-stakes moments
-Quickly shift your mindset to focus on what matters
-Eliminate self-doubt and negative thoughts
-Develop a routine that builds unshakable confidence

If you’re serious about reaching your potential this postseason, don’t leave your mindset to chance. Train your mind the same way you train your body. Work with a mindset coach and ensure that when you step on the mat, you’re 100% mentally ready to dominate.

Learn More about Wrestling Mindset Coaching Here