How the Best Reset

Young athlete reflecting in locker room after a game

No athlete is perfect. No athlete is immune. Not even the pros, the hall-of-famers, or the G.O.A.T.S.

Mistakes happen. Confidence dips. Focus slips.

So what separates the best from the rest? The best know how to reset and they do it quickly, intentionally, and effectively.

Here are three reset moments every athlete needs to master:


In the Moment (After a Mistake)

Reset Time: Just a few seconds

Whether it’s a turnover, missed shot, or mental error, the best know that a full analysis is best done during training, not competition. They shift quickly back into competition mode.

Try this:

  • Combine a physical action with an anchor phrase (a short cue to get you focused on the most important thing)

    • Physical actions – deep breath, clap your hands, squeeze your fists, stretch your legs

    • Anchor phrase – next play, be smooth, move your feet

Why it works:

Competition is the time for small adjustments, not deep analysis. This quick reset keeps you mentally in the game and playing freely.


Between Games

Reset Time: A few hours or a day

The best athletes know the value in resetting their mindset after every game before stepping into the next competition. No matter if their performance was fantastic or terrible, a reset ensures their mindset is clear and each performance starts on the right track.

Try This:

  • Reflect using the W.I.N. method:

    • What went Well

    • What needs Improvement?

    • What to focus on Next?

  • Reconnect with your WHOLE self

    • You are more than an athlete. Fill up another part of who you are: 

      • Spend time with friends and family

      • Engage in a hobby

      • Connect to your faith or spirituality

  • Recover:

    • Reboot your body with quality sleep (if possible)

    • Refuel and stretch

Why it works:

Every competition ends. Building this reset into your standard performance protocols ensures that each performance gets a fresh start.


Between Seasons

Reset Time: A few weeks

Long seasons take a toll on you in more ways than one. The best athletes use the off-season to recover both physically and mentally. Resets between seasons puts them in the best position to have a long, successful athletic career.

Try This:

  • Take a full break from sport-specific training.

    • Give your body a chance to fully recover.

  • Try cross-training

    • Use different muscle groups and make your brain think in new ways (bonus points if it’s fun to you)

  • Try something new

    • Explore new hobbies, travel, or take on something outside of your comfort zone

    • This engages your mind and body in new way and expands your knowledge of yourself and the world around you

Why it works:

It’s easy to think that you will get ahead by continuing to “put in the work” throughout the off-season. The best know that this reset IS “the work” during the off-season. It protects your long-term performance and your love for the game.


Resetting isn’t quitting. It’s choosing to come back clearer, sharper, and stronger.

The best are the best because they consistently reset: during games, between games, and between seasons.

Need help creating resets that actually work for you?

Work with Dr. Lindsey today!

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Preventing Burnout in Athletes: How Elite Athletes Stay in the Game