Most people play a sport for the thrill of having fun with
others who share the same interest. But it's not always fun and
games. There can be a ton of pressure in high school sports. A
lot of the time it comes from the feeling that a parent or coach
expects you to always win. But sometimes it comes from inside,
too: Some players are just really hard on themselves. And
individual situations can add to the stress: Maybe there's a
recruiter from your No. 1 college scouting you on the sidelines.
Whatever the cause, the pressure to win can sometimes stress you
to the point where you just don't know how to have fun anymore.
How Can Stress Affect Sports Performance? Stress is a feeling
that's created when we react to particular events. It's the
body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a
tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened
alertness. A little stress or the right kind of positive stress
can help keep you on your toes, ready to rise to a challenge.
The events that provoke str