Win or lose: after the game, your head is still full. Scenes play on a loop, especially the bad ones. Without closure, you take them to bed – and sometimes right up to the next game.
First calm down, then think
Right after the final whistle, your body is still in overdrive. That's not a good moment for an honest analysis. Give yourself some time first: shower, eat, a little quiet. At the earliest, on the way home, you can look back.
Three questions, five minutes
- What went well? At least one thing – even on bad days.
- What was tough? Without beating yourself up.
- What am I taking to training? Just one thing.
Three questions instead of overthinking
When: After the game, at the earliest on the way home – not immediately after the final whistle and not at night.
- 1What went well today? One thing is enough.
- 2What was hard? Objectively, without judgement.
- 3What am I taking into the next training session? One thing.
- 4Say: "Done for today."
Out of the game
After a narrow defeat, a goalkeeper types into her phone: Good – saved two 7-metre throws. Difficult – shots from the back court low. Training – footwork for low shots. Then she puts the phone away.
Remember this
A game isn't over until you've finished it. Three questions, one thing for training, done.