Am I supporting or disrupting my athlete's pre-game routine? Score your behaviors, see your pattern, get one focused action.
Before you begin: Bring a specific recent competition day to mind — not your best day, but a typical one. Think about the 2 hours before competition: the car ride, arrival, and warm-up period. Answer based on what you actually do, not what you intend to do.
Research shows that a parent's emotional state is transmitted to their athlete through tone, pacing, and body language — even without words. Your pre-competition behavior is part of your athlete's preparation environment, whether you realize it or not.
Part A
Support Behaviors
Rate how consistently you do each behavior: 1 = Never | 3 = Sometimes | 5 = Always
I arrive early enough that my athlete is never rushed before competition.
Never
Always
I protect my athlete's pre-competition space — music, quiet time, headphones — without interrupting.
Never
Always
I stay emotionally consistent on game days — I don't bring extra excitement, anxiety, or pressure to the car ride or arrival.
Never
Always
I avoid pep talks, "you've got this," or performance-stakes conversations in the 30 minutes before they compete.
Never
Always
Part B
Routine Disruptors
Rate how often you do each: 1 = Never | 3 = Sometimes | 5 = Often — lower is better here
I run late or change the timing plan on competition days.
Never
Often
I give unsolicited pep talks or "you've got this" encouragement right before they compete — even when they didn't ask.
Never
Often
I ask "Are you nervous?" or "Are you ready?" in the 30 minutes before competition.
Never
Often
I add last-minute schedule changes before competition — food stops, extra errands, late route changes.
Never
Often
Please rate all 8 behaviors before seeing your results.