Performing in front of a crowd can be exciting, but it can also be nerve-wracking. Whether it’s a big game, a dance recital, or a school play, dealing with pressure is just as important as practicing your skills. To perform at their best, athletes and performers need confidence, focus, and a strong mindset.

Even the best performers get nervous before they compete. Chloe Gutierrez, the team captain, knows how it feels, but she has learned to use it in a positive way.

“Always, but I use it as motivation,” she said. “Deep breaths and thinking about the routine helps me stay focused.”

Topcat head coach Alex Rogers, who helps students prepare for big performances, believes staying calm under pressure is one of the hardest challenges.

“Staying confident under pressure is the toughest part of competing,” she said. “We practice mental focus and breathing techniques.”

Confidence doesn’t happen overnight, it takes practice. The more athletes and performers train, the more prepared they feel when it’s time to compete.

“We focus on repetition, visualization, and trusting their training,” Rogers added.

Sometimes, the biggest challenge isn’t the performance itself—it’s believing in yourself. Coach Kelsea Campbell, an athletic trainer, said that mental strength is just as important as physical skill.

“Anxiety, self-doubt, and high expectations are common challenges performers deal with,” Campbell said. “But positive self-talk, preparation, and team support can help them push through.”

And when everything goes right for the group, it feels amazing.

“The best feeling is that all the hard work paid off.” Chloe said.

In the end, confidence and focus make the biggest difference. With the right mindset, anyone can handle pressure and perform their best. m